Islanders Faceoffs: Work in progress
by Dominik on Mar 23, 2010 12:05 PM EDT
in This, That & What-Not
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PrintRemember those heady days of late October, when we were wondering what was up with the Islanders' first-month faceoff success, and Chris Botta spoke with Scott Allen about the video prep they'd been doing? Naturally, that moment of attention ended up being the high-water mark; the Isles young centermen soon regressed to the mean.
Now with a much better sample of games played, only Richard Park is above 50%, and only Park and Frans Nielsen are above 50% at even strength. (Shorthanded faceoffs are harder: You have fewer teammates to help "win" the battle, so your success rate is inevitably lower over the long haul.) The club now ranks 26th in faceoffs, at 48.1%.
Young players seldom enter the league as faceoff masters, so the hope is that John Tavares (47.0) and Josh Bailey (40.4; if he stays at center) steadily improve, and Frans Nielsen (49.9) continues his growth.
Yesterday's link to Behind the Net's list of best and worst faceoff men since 1997 reminded me how disappointing Alexei Yashin could be at the dot. His career rate from 1997-2007 (44.1%) is almost uglier when you consider he had more accomplished teammates like Mike Sillinger, Dave Scatchard and Michael Peca to take important draws. Yashin's figures were often all over the map: In 2003-04, his overall rate was a paltry 42.8% -- yet he was actually 15-8 on shorthanded draws that year. At even strength? 191-301, or 38.8%. In 2005-06, he was actually above 50% overall, though still below that mark at even strength.
After the jump, a look at the Islanders' current-year figures at PP, SH, and EV, plus links to the Islanders figures for each season going back to 1997 (viva Claude Lapointe).
2009-10 Faceoffs (72 games)
| GP | ES W-L |
ES% | PP | PP% | SH | SH% | Tot | Tot% | |
| Richard Park | 72 | 344-310 | 52.6% | 10-3 | 76.9% | 102-114 | 47.2% | 456-427 | 51.6% |
| Frans Nielsen | 66 | 365-352 | 50.2% | 85-74 | 53.5% | 44-70 | 38.6% | 494-496 | 49.9% |
| Rob Schremp | 44 | 173-194 | 47.1% | 14-14 | 50.0% | n/a | n/a | 187-208 | 47.3% |
| John Tavares | 72 | 338-404 | 45.5% | 116-105 | 52.5% | 2-5 | 28.6% | 456-514 | 47.0% |
| Josh Bailey | 65 | 122-191 | 39.0% | 17-15 | 53.1% | 9-12 | 42.9% | 148-218 | 40.4% |
| Nate Thompson | 39 | 80-73 | 52.3% | 1-0 | 100% | 23-33 | 41.1% | 104-106 | 49.5% |
Historic Islanders Faceoff Leaders to 1997
Note: Players listed here are the most-used faceoff men that season. The link on the year goes to the NHL's list of the full roster's individual faceoff stats for the year, where you can get your Mats Lindgren and Wyatt Smith on.
1997-98: Robert Reichel, Claude Lapointe, Travis Green
1998-99: Reichel, Lapointe, Bryan Smolinski
1999-2000: Lapointe, Olli Jokinen, Tim Connolly, Dave Scatchard, Jorgen Jonsson
2000-01: Scatchard, Lapointe, Connolly, Oleg Kvasha
2001-02: Michael Peca, Lapointe, Alexei Yashin, Scatchard
2002-03: Peca, Scatchard, Yashin, Lapointe
2003-04: Peca, Scatchard, Yashin, Kvasha, Shawn Bates
2005-06: Mike York, Yashin, Bates
2006:07: Mike Sillinger -- by a long shot (1708 draws!) -- followed by Yashin (527), Randy Robitaille (519), Viktor Kozlov (462), Bates (455)
2007-08: Mike Comrie, Josef Vasicek, Sillinger, Richard Park
2008-09: Park, Josh Bailey, Frans Nielsen, Doug Weight
2009-10: Nielsen, John Tavares, Park, Rob Schremp
One thing that stands out to me with the Islanders currently having multiple young, offensive-oriented centers: With Richard Park entering unrestricted free agency this summer, the Islanders are likely to either re-sign him, find another veteran faceoff guy, or go into next season with a lot of hope riding on the kids improving in this department.
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Some days I wonder if you have too much time on your hands…. and most days I’m grateful you do. ;o)
www.7thwoman.blogspot.com Updated almost as often as PointBlank, but not quite.
bq.where you can get your Mats Lindgren and Wyatt Smith on.
Don’t forget to get your Jorgen Jonsson on. I forgot Kenny’s older brother played for the Isles, albeit for half a season or so. Jorgen is the perfect example of a terrific International and European league player that just couldn’t translate his success to the NHL. After some research, I found out he has played in the most International games all time for Sweden (4 Olympics, 12 WC, 1 World Cup), which is impressive when you consider some of the greats to put on that jersey. I would say he’s probably the least known double Olympic gold medal winning (94 and 02) hockey player of the post-Soviet era.
One can only hope that the kids get better on the draw. They’re all 25 or under, so there is definitely time for them to improve. The one that slightly worries me is Franz, over the last three season he’s improved but but only from 47% to 49% and isn’t significantly better or worse then he was last season.
We're doomed. Doomed!
block quote fail
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
not like we’re getting him but where did you hear this? because i heard last year that duchene was the better f/o man and he’s only up to 44.3 after the last 3 games where he was over 54% in each game… ohl’s main site doesn’t mention faceoff in the stat pages
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
We MAY have a shot at Tyler
as to where I heard it, maybe it was this piece in Hockey Writers:
http://thehockeywriters.com/2010-nhl-entry-draft-prospect-tyler-seguin/
Jorgen is the perfect example of a terrific International and European league player that just couldn’t translate his success to the NHL.
But doggone it, when I created him in EA Sports NHL-whatever, he was every bit as great a center as his brother was a defenseman!
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
He’s in NHL 09 for Farjestad. Honestly I cannot think of someone who has so many accomplishments (285 Games played for Sweden, 2 Olympic Golds, 2 Golds, 3 Silvers and 4 Bronzes in the WC, 5 time Elitserien Champ) and is so unknown. The only other Swedes who were on both gold Medal winning teams are Peter Forsberg and Kenny Jonsson. That’s some pretty good company.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Who would replace Park?
Assuming the Islanders don’t re-sign Park, who would be a potential UFA replacement? They will need a least one veteran fourth line center that has some defensive ability. Jeff Halpern comes to mind since he is a couple of years younger and a little bit bigger, but I couldn’t find his faceoff stats anywhere. However, I do recall that he was one of the few over 50% on shorthanded faceoffs in December. I think he’s a player that would fill a need and be in the Islanders price range.
A Walk In The Park...
Do we really have to “replace” Park? Maybe the key to getting more out of Richard Park’s TOI is surrounding him with better players. Maybe it’s best to part ways with him, but I’m not so sure that’s that best thing that could happen.
Park can easily play an important role as a bottom 6 RW, taking important faceoffs. If Bailey goes back to center, which is necessary if we want to see both JJ and Martin get opportunities at LW next year, they have four young impact centers. Nielsen and Park can play C on the PK, with bergy, Comeau, Okposo and Schremp also getting some time as PK forwards.
A third line of Martin-Bailey-Park, or a fourth line of Bergy-Nielsen-Park is better than most combinatinations he’s been involved with since he became an Islander… and most certainly better than the scrap heap he’s been playing with since the “rebuild”.
The means that the RW position (without upgrade) would be Okposo, Comeau, Hunter and Park. If UFA money goes towards upgrading the blueline I can live with that. They will also have Rhett Rak, Petrov, marcinko and Wrecker in the pipeline.
Bottom line is… Park’s numbers have not been great (or even good) the past two years, but I think we’d all agree that that the team needs guys like Park, and he has performed in the past… I’d say he’s performed well in the present… bad numbers don’t necessarily mean the guy sucks.
Jesus would probably turn the other cheek too… but in a league where everybody walks on water I bet you couldn’t get a third rounder for the lord at the deadline.
Do we really have to "replace" Park?
Heh, only if they let him go! I’d think both club and player like the fit here, but you never know. If they eye an upgrade or have differing aspirations and as a result it gets to July 1 without a deal…
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
I totally agree with you about Park, JP- 100%.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 23, 2010 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d like Halpern as a logical replacement (upgrade?) to Park…faceoff stats should be a consideration when and if they feel the need to get any UFA’s vetern centers. How about Manny Malhotra? Is he strong in the dot?
malhotra is a beast on draws at 61.8%, turns 30 in may, and is 6’2 220 worth noting he’s 65% on the f/o on the PK
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
And he’s also batshit crazy, which the Isles could use some of especially if Sim leaves.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Malholtra seems like an even better fit, even with his questionable draft pedigree (1st 7overall NYR). So I retract Halpern and have now moved Malholtra to the top of the list, if for no other reason than his size. With a current cap hit of $700k he would also easily be in the Islander bidding range.
he’s due for a raise though, decent #s’ 29 points in 61 games… not sure what the going conversion rate for F/O to $ is but 2 years and 2.5M i can live with it… park only makes 750k this year, so i dont know if they’ll go over by that much to “replace” him though
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
With Malholtra’s numbers I’d expect an increase in his cap hit, but I don’t see it being outrageous. This would still be an upgrade on the cheaper end even at double his current salary. As low as the Isles payroll is they still need to make it to the cap floor and can do it by not raising the top end, but by filling in with better depth as the kids improve.
And the Isles have the cap space to, say give him a bit of a raise and still have space to make significant moves.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Malhotra would be a great addition
To me his draft pedigree almost helps (minus the Ranger stench): An example of a skilled guy who has faced reality and adapted his game to where he fits at the NHL level.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
It was the stench that made his pedigree questionable and ruined his development (stall next to 99 and next Captain talk).
And I LOVED them for doing it. Somewhat worried they’re doing a better job lately…
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
I skim The Morning Skate most every day.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
That was funny…a bit of bitterness from Milbury, perhaps?
While the Dolans have shown remarkable stupidity patience with Sather and may yet remain loyal to him, I have to wonder if by the time the Islanders are a force again, the Rangers won’t have a more competent steward of their ample resources. If that happens, it’ll be a rivalry worthy of the league’s hype.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
I hope so. As the son of a die hard Rags fan, I would love it if they were both great at the same time. That way when we beat them, I have the upper hand!
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
It's such a fine line
Hoping both teams are good enough to make the stakes high, yet hoping the Isles come out on top every time.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
of course Hockey's Future rates the Ranger prospects very high
hard to judge. At the very least, the salaries of players like Drury, Redden, and Roszival are keeping the talent back on the farm. A good draft with some NHL-ready players this year and a good pick up or two in FA should make the Isles very competitive next year. I don’t know when or how the Rangers can fix their problems.
Yeah, that’s what’s hard to figure: Even if they have some good prospects, they don’t have a good history of developing them.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Like we said on the other thread discussing the site, HF writers are not professionals and are NOT a credible source- I dont care how often they are quoted, for the most part their pieces on prospects are halfassed and poorly researched.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 23, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i remember how much they talked him up… but then i remembered too that it was the nyc thing to do, when you want to ship a guy off for the big name (#68)
(wasn’t he the ‘centerpiece’ along with kim jonnson) ??? or am i getting confussed
NY Islanders Hockey: Where MRI's are addictive
Johnson was part of the Big 88 trade with Hlavac and Brendl (I remember Steve Sommers was up in arms over the fact Brendl was part of that trade, for what it’s worth.). Malhotra was part of the Rucinsky and Lyashenko trade with Dallas. Jagr was traded for Anson Carter straight up (Seriously).
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
How on earth the Rangers forced the Capitals to pay part of Jagr’s salary in that deal is beyond me. {grrrrr}
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
I think I payed more for my car than the Rags did for Jagr.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn’t John Madden a free agent center. He’s a very good face-off man, can play defense, and knows the divison pretty well but is only 5’ 11" so maybe putting Jesse and Martin on a line might work.
He is a UFA
He’s also a lot pricier and older than Malhotra though.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Hard to get a read on any Hawk from their view over there. A lot of crisis-like back-and-forth on every issue.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
You would think that they weren’t having a hockey renaissance in Chicago the way they talk over there. What happened, did they forget the previous decade and a half ever happened?
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Well after Huet surrenders after one shot in the first round of the playoffs…
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Remember, Huet also has flashes of brilliance, even if his regular season is- spotty.
If the timing works out, a goalie like that can win it all. See Osgood, Chris.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 23, 2010 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry, that was my lame attempt at a Huet is French joke.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
totally missed that
the term surrender should have given me the hint, but alas lol
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Mar 23, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Ack! I missed that too…
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
a team that is counting on bringing the Cup back for the first time in 49 years
shouldn’t be relying on Huet’s timing. If they do, they deserve what they get. They rely on their defense to prevent shots and they will be without one of their best.
No doubt
I really think part of it is 1) a huge city with a lot of casual/multi-sport fans, creating: 2) a lot of impatient bandwagon fans flipping out and poisoning the well.
I see this happening in a different way among some of the Caps fanbase — only, instead of eating each other, there is this growing arrogance crossed with paranoia about anything that doesn’t go their way. You increase the numbers quickly, you draw out a lot of crazies.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
Crazies? In the Washington fan base? No. I don’t believe it.
I hope in a couple of years that isn’t us – by that I mean crazy bandwagoners hitching onto the success of an up and coming franchise. But who am I kidding, this is New York. We created the casual bandwagon fandom.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
another option
What about Jere Lehtinen? He’s a solid faceoff guy and since he’s Finnish maybe he can help Bergy take his game to a higher level. He is 36 and making 1.5 mil this year though…Maybe Malhotra is the best option here.
I think Lehtonen is in the same boat as Madden, he might be looking to either re-up with Dallas or go to a contender. There was also a rumor floating around that he might return to SM-Liiga for either Blues or TPS, his two former teams.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I recall their beatwriter Mike Heika referring to him as having lost a step, too, but I haven’t watched him at all this year.
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
He didn’t look to good in the Olympics… I think a nice “retirement” contract from TPS or Blues is in his future.
We're doomed. Doomed!
by David Hanssen on Mar 23, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Just a thought
I wonder what the period by period breakdown of our Faceoffs are for the season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see that we lost a lot more 3rd period faceoffs in comparison to the first and second.
Come on Isles! 11-0-0 or 10-0-1 I'm not picky! Playoffs!
That would be good … and doable through the same fancy data pulls that create Corsi and Behind The Net ratings.
I did notice everyone’s faceoff percentage is greater at home, which I guess points to matchups and getting to place your stick down second (when they enforce it).
Lighthouse Hockey: What's wrong with lotteries? I've been in lots of lotteries.
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