This all started on Saturday, September, 16th with me tracking zone exits during the preseason for the Leafs and Canucks. The primary function of my template is to measure how effective each defenceman is at transitioning the puck from the defensive zone into the neutral zone. Secondly, I was gauging the interest of the public in following along with something like zone exits. We've quickly grown into a group of over 600 which has inspired me to take this project to the next level.
I'm going to continue tracking and posting my defensive zone transition charts live. Additionally, I'll be posting updates here every 5 games played per team. These updates will include neutral zone play, both offensive and defensive, and shot attempt assists at even strength and power-play. We'll explore other areas like zone starts, penalty differential, and measuring just how much impact players are having on their corsi percentage.
I'm going to continue tracking and posting my defensive zone transition charts live. Additionally, I'll be posting updates here every 5 games played per team. These updates will include neutral zone play, both offensive and defensive, and shot attempt assists at even strength and power-play. We'll explore other areas like zone starts, penalty differential, and measuring just how much impact players are having on their corsi percentage.
Def. Zone Touch - Every time a player has possession of the puck in the defensive zone. Results are based off this number.
Controlled Zone Exit - Controlled zone exit, skate + controlled zone exit, pass.
Controlled Zone Exit Skate - When a player skates over the blueline from the defensive zone into the neutral zone with possession of the puck.
Controlled Zone Exit Pass - When a player completes a pass which goes over the blueline and his team remains in possession of the puck.
Uncontrolled Zone Exit - Dump, flip, incomplete pass which crosses the blueline giving up possession of the puck.
Total Zone Exits - Controlled zone exit + uncontrolled zone exit
Fail - Most commonly a turnover in the defensive zone; However, rarely an event occurs which causes a defensive zone face-off.
Icing - Icing
Controlled Zone Exit %
No reason to wonder why Babcock is hesitant to start Rosen in the defensive zone, he can't get out! Calle starts in the defensive zone just 35% of the time.
On the bright side, it's nice to see Borgman in the middle of the pack ahead of Carrick and Hainsey, he seems to be adjusting to the NHL faster than expected. Zaitsev is right where he should be right behind the two leaders. Low fail rate + high passing rate suggest he's playing a safe game in his own end. Will be fun to see who finishes on top of this ladder, clearly 51 and 44 are comfortable transitioning the puck. I'm also very comfortable watching them do it, over 200 times combined so far. How many more games remaining? |
Fail rate %
For those of you who enjoy pointing out whenever the enigma known as Jake Gardiner makes a mistake, I track all the defensive zone blunders and and he doesn't make many of them. Seven mistakes in five games while playing the most even strength minutes versus the toughest competition. Like it or not, he's the Leafs #1 d-man.
Both Zaitsev and Rielly are under the team average failure rate of 12.77% so nothing to worry about there. When Borgman gets forced to his backhand he's in trouble. If he can figure something out there he can really improve his transition game. He has about as much faith in his backhand flip as Rielly does in his slapshot. Carrick is in spooky territory, microscopic sample size though. We'll give him time. Life without Gardiner ain't easy. |
Passing %
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Check out the game log Zone exit chart for more data
Neutral Zone - Protecting the blueline 5v5
NEW STUFF! As promised, here's some new data I've personally tracked. The following is a chart that reveals how players are performing when it comes to protecting their blueline. The ultimate goal is to break the play up in the neutral zone, but forcing a dump in is considered a win as well. What you don't want is players skating over your blueline with possession. What you really don't want is a player skating over your blueline and then completing a pass. In short, it increases the chances of a dash on the game sheet and that's no fun when Babcock is running the show.
Please note that this chart does not include the Jets game as I had an issue with my PVR, I'll include that data in the next update. I have to say again, this is a small sample size but there's some encouraging signs here. Rosen and Borgman leading the way at protecting the zone. Another positive sign that they're quickly adjusting to a new league, perhaps covering less ice surface is easier for them? Who knows? But they're excelling in this aspect of the game at the moment.
It's too early to worry about Gardiner's coverage just yet, this is usually a strong point for him. Zaitsev continues to back in towards the goalie allowing plenty of space for the opponent to get creative, lets hope he can change that soon. Can a 25 year old, 2nd year player continue to learn new things in the NHL? We'll see.
Hainsey has come as advertised and is rock solid in the neutral zone. Anticipating the play is definitely a strong point for the elderly blueliner.
Carrick is forcing dump-ins and right at the team average for carry in + pass, it's three games in for him for him, a decent start here.
I was hesitant to post this chart especially given there's only 4 of the 5 games but I wanted to give you a glance at what's coming up in the future.
Neutral zone - gaining the blueline
Yea, this chart will take some time to grow. To be honest, Leafs D-Men just don't lead the zone-entry often. I'm collecting the PP zone-entry data as well but that sample is so small it's not worth posting yet. For those interested, Rielly holds the slight edge over Gardiner for PP entries. However, Gardiner does have this one!
This is what happens when teams get fixated on guarding the drop pass power-play entry. Nash over commits and Gardiner utilizes his explosiveness to blow the zone past three more hypnotized defenders. I get it, optically the drop pass looks terrible when it doesn't work but it also enables plays like this to happen. The Rangers were sitting on a curve-ball and Gardiner blew the heat right by them. Additionally, how many times does the drop pass have to work effectively for Marner, Nylander, Matthews, and Bozak for the naysayers to accept that it works? It's here to stay and incredibly fun to watch.
iCF contributions on the PP
I put this together to directly measure Gardiner vs Rielly on the PP and couldn't believe the distance between the two. For this portion I just added shot attempt assists + shot attempts on the PP and put it into /60 format. Mind you, this is with just over 32 minutes of combined data but here's the result.
Rielly 59.99/60
Gardiner 23.24/60
#nojetsgame
Safe to say Rielly is in the lead in PP production, not to mention the 3 assists to Gardiner's 1+1. I'm happy we have them both!
Definitely should mention I used www.corsica.hockey to reference check, I spend too much time there!
Rielly 59.99/60
Gardiner 23.24/60
#nojetsgame
Safe to say Rielly is in the lead in PP production, not to mention the 3 assists to Gardiner's 1+1. I'm happy we have them both!
Definitely should mention I used www.corsica.hockey to reference check, I spend too much time there!