Grading the Islanders: Mark Streit, Swiss Workhorse
by Dominik on Aug 31, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in New York Islanders Report Cards
Email
PrintLast season at age 32 Mark Streit's minutes increased over his debut year with the Islanders. He logged 680 more minutes than the next guy on the Isles, Jack Hillen. It's no wonder that, after captaining Switzerland at the Olympics once again, Streit chose to sit out the World Championships for the first time in 13 years.
The question before you today is the question of every report card here: Did he do what you expected of him in 2009-10?
At first I was going to make a pretty graph comparing his three-year point production, shots and ice time. But then I remembered I am clueless with graphing software his Montreal numbers were skewed by time at forward and time on that incredible 2007-08 Canadiens powerplay.
Plan B: Show his numbers in Year 1 and Year 2 of his Islanders contract (after the jump), ask yourself whether the "drop-off" was significant enough to dock his grade. Discuss.
First thing I'd note is that Streit's 2008-09 was unreal. (Which is why he got Norris consideration, right? Oh wait...) He went from a good team to a last-place team, a stellar powerplay to a pedestrian powerplay, yet only put up six fewer points than the 62 he put up as a point man/wing hybrid with the Habs.
Second thing I'd note is that I'm observationally clueless, because I could have sworn that Streit shot less this past season. Turns out, by the end at least, he'd shot a slight bit more -- both in total (187 vs. 150 on goal) and in his per-game rate (2.28 vs. 2.03).
I was thinking he got his shot off less, because opponents keyed on it more -- and while the latter might still be true, the former obviously is not. Streit had his chances this past season, he just either was less of a marksman or had less luck. (Probably both: The most shot-happy NHL defenseman are generally above Streit's 5.9 percent in 2009-10, but no one not named Mike Green touches the 10.7 figure Streit hit in 2008-09.)
Another "drop" occurred in his penalty minutes -- he was never a ruffian to begin with, but he took six fewer minors (in 8 more games) and remained one of the least penalized heavy-minute defensemen in the league.
Usage
As mentioned, Streit's minutes went up -- about 30 seconds per game -- this year. But his PP time was level, while his PK time dropped by about 40 second per game.
As far as assignments, his Quality of Competition was third among Isles D-men -- though since he plays so much, it makes sense that he's behind his tough-minutes partner Andrew MacDonald (and Jack Hillen -- poor Hillen, saddled with the worst partners on the club). Streit still drove play though, as we all saw with our own eyes; his Corsi relative to QualComp was second only to Hillen [edit: Ben points out I read this wrong, though the spirit holds].
On the PK, he was on for two more goals against 4-on-5 (20) than last season (18), despite logging fewer minutes. But the Isles PK was awful on all fronts this year, 29th in the league, so it's tough to find anything that was Streit's fault there. I do think for a guy who logs so many minutes, it makes sense to limit his PK minutes -- particularly if the guy is not a clear dominant force on the PK. His and the whole unit's performance bears watching this coming season.
To go by the traditional, reporter/Norris voter-friendly metrics: Streit's 56 points were seventh among all defensemen, ahead of names like Shea Weber, Brian Campbell, Chris Pronger and Dion Frankeneuf -- and behind only Mike Green, Andrei Markov, Nicklas Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski and Dan Boyle.
The Poem
Dear Mark,
We love you.
Please help Nino become just as lovable.
Mad respect to all the world's neutrals.
Love,
Your #1 fans.
P.S. Help with Swiss bank account? Okay nevermind. Maybe another time.
The Grade
Stalker love letter non-poems aside, consider what you had in mind for Streit before last season, and grade how his performance measured up to your expectations.
Oh, and a hint for next year, and today's discussion: Think about what you have in mind for him in 2010-11. I would think some more PP success would be in order, but it all depends on that unit's growth.
30 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
9
Not as great a year, but he anchored a very mediocre and young D with some inconsistent goaltending. Sad that he will be probably on his way out when the kids are on the verge of breakthroughs.
Also, I can graph and have a tutorial for excel that I can send you but it may need to be updated depending on what version of excel you have. Let me know.
by Keith Quinn on Aug 31, 2010 7:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
the matzoh man
‘08-’09 was an exceptional season for streit. not fair to assume that much offense again. also, i think maybe he stayed at home more last year by design, dishing off some to the arrival of JT and the development of others.
overall, the guy had another really good year. he’s a smart, solid and at times
dynamic d-man. i only wish he was 26 and not soon to be 34.
i only wish he was 26 and not soon to be 34.
You and me both.
By the way, welcome and thanks for joining the site.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
6
Very funny grades! Surprised the Jet d’Eau gets a mention there, cool, I still went for met expectations in a neutral + sort of way, but I obviously had very high expectations indeed and sure thought Streit had another good season. And I’m quite confident 2010-11 will be even better for him. He still can improve – he’s only played two seasons as a regular defender on this level and obviously only two as a #1 defender logging 25 minutes, as well. He’s still learning in some way and last season was rather tough with the Olympics and a couple of minor injuries. Particularly the groin problems he suffered from all last summer long hindered further development a bit, he said. They had it under control during the season, but the rest was much-needed and he’s felt much healthier this off-season indeed.
One thing about Corsi relative QualComp. Not sure if I understand you correctly and I honestly can’t explain it very well, but that CorsiRelQualComp doesn’t actually measure the own Corsi relative to the QualComp a player faces. It’s simply another way of measuring the quality of competition. Probably a slightly more accurate one than the original QualComp, although that is still up for debate. Looking at the Isles D, the order is pretty much the same whether we look at QualComp or CorsiRelQualComp. That’s a bit different for the forwards, where Park and Jackman lead the group in terms of CorsiRelQualComp, but are way down in original QualComp. And from what I remember, I’d sure say those two were amongst the guys facing toughest competition indeed.
Anyway, Streit still did drive the play last season, but not as much as in 08-09.
Nah, I think you’re talking about Corsi QoC, which is QoC based on Corsi instead of relative plus minus.
by red army line on Aug 31, 2010 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, in parts, but it goes on I think and with CorsiRelQualComp we have a third method. There’s QoC, Corsi QoC and Corsi relative QoC, which is QualComp based on relative Corsi, isn’t it?
I am so confused
Relative Corsi
[…]
To address some of these limitations, Gabe Desjardins introduced Relative Corsi to measure territorial dominance. Given the correlation between shots taken and in which zone the action is primarily taking place, he felt that the best application of Corsi is to study it relative to a player’s teammates, a concept he explored a little further in one of his earliest Puck Prospectus articles.
Quality of Competition
[…]
Unsurprisingly there’s also a variation that uses Relative Corsi instead of the relative plus/minus.
by red army line on Aug 31, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Now I'm confused too
I was under the impression Corsi rel QoC is an adjusted Corsi measure, making it relative to their quality of competition, and adjustment to “help” players who have lower Corsi because they’re regularly facing the best and/or put out in defensive situations. I may be wrong.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
When
Did Stephen Hawkins join this site?
I don’t even know what language this is!
by IamJacksSplitSave on Aug 31, 2010 11:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It's turtles all the way down
Just wait until David Hanssen starts posting here in Greek.
But seriously, if you ever feel like digging into this — and I absolutely understand anyone who has zero interest in it — here’s a nice FAQ by Gabe at Behind the Net. Trying to place some objective numbers, or at least rankings, on a chaotic game.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
Well, I can’t add much more to really explain the different numbers because I don’t find any helpful links and anyway can’t say much more about it. But to me, it seems to be relatively clear that Corsi rel QoC is just another way of measuring QoC and not an adjusted Corsi measure. Unfortunately, there’s no such number available, yet, Gabe just gave a brief overview here of a model he made in order to adjust Corsi for competition and zone starts. I guess he’s working on an adjusted Corsi number… By the way, not surprised seeing JT (and Sim/Tambellini) on that list there.
For Patrick Kaleta, he actually calculated that adjusted Corsi number and, as for Corsi numbers in general, the figures are higher (/- 5 not unusual) than for quality of competition (/- 1 very unusual). That to me shows that Corsi rel QoC can’t be an adjusted Corsi number. And well, if it was a Corsi number it sure wouldn’t make much sense to list that number in the quality of competition section, as Gabe does here.
Or in this piece here Gabe talks at the bottom about: "The Quality of Competition metric here is “Relative Corsi” – in other words the average opponent’s Corsi number relative to his team."
by BenHasna on Aug 31, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Got it. (I think.)
Thanks a million, Ben. You seem to pick this stuff up instantaneously.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
8
It’s a weird grading system when it applies to a guy like Streit. I mean if I expect Nick Lidstrom to be Nick Lidstrom and he performs to that level am I really going to give him a 6? (not saying Streit is that good, relax people)
I expected him to be far and away the best Islanders Dman and he was. He wasn’t dominant but was still a top-20 (maybe even better than that) Dman in the NHL on a bad team. Still have 3 years of him to enjoy. They need to watch out for his age and eventual fall off (hopefully the prospects coming up will take some of the load off), but for last year, I think he earned an 8.
by Pauly C on Aug 31, 2010 8:44 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It is weird
And since it’s still just mass polling, there is room for votes of “he did exactly what I hoped, but man I can’t give him less than a X.” If everybody approaches each player the same, we’ll still have a general picture.
But to explain the intent a little more: I do it this way — partly inspired by Japers’ Rink — to get people thinking about what they wanted out of the player rather than just doing what becomes a talent ranking, where the most talented/best players get the high grades and the checkers get the low grades. So Matt Moulson surprised most people and got a high grade this year; next year, even if he gets 25 goals, his grade might be lower because people were more clear on what to expect.
I know this doesn’t totally make sense. But I’m a fan of relativity.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
I like the ranking system b/c, you’re right it does make us think a little. I guess it’s only weird for Streit b/c, well, he’s the best and most consistent on the team. Just feels weird to give him a ‘6’. But 6 isn’t really a 6, it’s a relative 6, so the problem lies with me and not the grading system. Got it? Good.
Heh, got it indeed. I usually have to rethink the thing each summer to remember what I had in mind, if that makes snese.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
8
I thought his O really struggled during Dec and early Jan when the team was struggling. It wound up being the key part of the season knocking us out of the playoffs in my opinion. He came on great the second half of the season. I would give him a 9-10 from after the break
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
8/9
On our team he is a 50pt d-man, on any above average offensive team he should be near, if not, a 60pt d-man. The guy plays great and is reliable on his side of the blue line while being a big offensive force. Give him more tools and he would be a miracle worker. He still has a little room for improvement, but what more can you ask from this guy? He’s not pronger, but he is a great overall d-man.
Go isles or Go home.
8 is enough
I expected a little more (than what he ended up with) going into the season, but my expectations were adjusted by other team circumstances out of Streit’s control.
Bruno regressed… that put more weight on Streit.
Weight was invisible… which hurt the PP, which hurt Streit’s numbers.
I really think that the olympic year took an extra toll on him.
I also feel that the rest of the division got bigger, and the Isles got smaller as the season wore down. That also took a toll on him.
I expect another great season from him this year, and maybe even better numbers.
He should have a better partner in JW, both 5-on-5 and on the PP.
His “defensive” minutes should be decreased slightly, so he should have more quality minutes with the top lines and an increased % of PP time(I don’t think they can increase his PP time relative to the their time on the PP, but they can increase his PP time relative to his PK time by decreasing his PK time)
No olympics… all he has to worry about is the ASG… and Tavares might get the sole isle invite just because they need to build him up.
If Weight isn’t signed (I think even if he is signed) Streit should be given the “C”.
My cup is 3/4 empty, How 'bout yours?
On that last note: Weight is signed
And still billed as “The Captain” in the PR language.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
In that case...
Should Ilya Kovalchuk not sign with the Islanders it will leave quite a hole in their projected top six forwards.
…it’s worth a shot.
My cup is 3/4 empty, How 'bout yours?
At the right price and length,
He’s not worth more then $7-$8mil/yr and the years he wants is rediculous. If you want a stop gap, sign him for 2-4yrs at 9-12mil/yr(maybe that much, if the playoffs mean that much to garth/wang then fine), but giving him big money for a long period of time is just a rediculous decision as a whole and I highly doubt a 32yr+ old Kovalchuk is in our plans for a future dynasty.
Go isles or Go home.
If you read this thread...
you will see that I was just testing my SUPERNATURAL ability to predict the past. (the announcement of Weight’s signing was a few minutes before I posted my “what if”).
It didn’t work.
My cup is 3/4 empty, How 'bout yours?
Gah
I was even here when you posted that, I can’t believe I didn’t get it at the time.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
9
He was due for an offensive dropoff. Between teams keying on him, and I believe at least he was looking to let some of the younger forwards make plays. I get the feeling that his first year he was so head and shoulders above everyone else that he was given free reign.
It’s good to see that Streit is continuing to prove Montreal wrong when it comes to his defensive abilities. He could have very easily been a one year flash in the pan, proved his point and half assed this season on a bad team. Instead he continues to be the cornerstone of our defense.
Dominik signed me for 20 years, and all I got was a press conference and a voided contract...
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
8
You would expected some drop after what I consider a career season. It would be interesting to see how many times he was on the ice when Moulson scored. Possibly his shooting Pct went down as a result of trying to get it on net as opposed to more pressure trying to pick a spot and score, since there was actually a player who could knock in the rebound this past season. Unless your name is Orr, Potvin, or Coffey, a defenseman should never lead a team in scoring.
Should have been a 6 for me
But I couldn’t give him less than a 7- just ’cause he is so important to us.
Nearly enough defensemen to last through the injury bug
by since70too on Aug 31, 2010 5:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Such rationale
…all of which is legal and in fact encouraged, here at the All-Drug Olympics.
Lighthouse Hockey: An always-open repair shop for mikb's sarcasm module.
Went with an 8
Streit had another stellar campaign for the Isles this season. He was easily the top D-man on the the Isles, and is starting to get recognition around the league as one of the best. When he played in the Olympics, the commentary was all about how the Isles stole a great d-man, and I couldn’t agree more.
He had a great season, anchored the d, and scored most of his goals on the power play, which is fine. It’s what is expected of him, and we need him to keep on keepin on.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
Philadelphia
|
Tue 02/07 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Montreal
|
Thu 02/09 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Los Angeles
|
Sat 02/11 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
Florida
|
Sun 02/12 | 3:00 PM EST |
|
@
Winnipeg
|
Tue 02/14 | 8:30 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
Buffalo
|
Sat 02/04 | SO - L 3 - 4 |
|
@
Ottawa
|
Fri 02/03 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
|
@
Carolina
|
Tue 01/31 | W 5 - 2 |
|
Toronto
|
Tue 01/24 | OT - L 3 - 4 |
|
@
Toronto
|
Mon 01/23 | L 0 - 3 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
50 | 33 | 12 | 5 | 71 |
|
Philadelphia
|
52 | 30 | 16 | 6 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
53 | 30 | 19 | 4 | 64 |
|
New Jersey
|
52 | 30 | 19 | 3 | 63 |
|
New York Islanders
|
51 | 21 | 22 | 8 | 50 |
(updated 2.5.2012 at 4:42 PM EST)
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Sunday’s Three Stars: Price blanks Jets; Kovalchuk powers Devils; Gomez doesn’t score
- Two more reasons Teemu Selanne rules: Holding ceramic pig, wearing panty-dropper shirt (Photo)
- Congratulations to Canadiens’ Scott Gomez on the one-year anniversary of his last goal
- NHL relocation to Seattle: Will new arena, Coyotes’ plight bring pucks to Pacific Northwest?
- How to score on KHL goalies: Shoot from your own end (Video)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
