Some things you might have already known
Hockey Analytics has published their statistical analysis of last season. There are some observations that are probably obvious [Nick Lidstrom is pretty good] and some that might not seem so obvious [Pavel has been the best forward in the NHL over the past five seasons].
Alan Ryder starts off by looking at value as far as guys playing above their contract number. Henrik Zetterberg obviously was a great value at $2.65mm last season, but so were Chris Osgood, Chris Chelios, Johan Franzen, Valetteri Filppula, Dan Cleary, Jiri Hudler and Brett Lebda as all played above their contract amounts. It remains to be seen if Fil and Cleary can continue to do so with new deals on the books.
Ryder also provides a statistical basis for saying what we all know: the Maple Leafs way overpaid for the talent they assembled.
Alexander Ovechkin was ranked as the top forward in the game [not a shock]. Datsyuk and Zetterberg both finished in the top 5 ranking amongst forwards. Ryder ranks Pavel Datsyuk as the best forward in the game over the 5-year period from 2003-08. That just provides more data to suggest Datsyuk is worth every penny of his current contract, although I think criticism of that contract has been completely silenced.
Ryder also awards Datsyuk the Selke trophy for the second straight year. I think most people expected Zetterberg to win it this year but this dude has been pimping Datsyuk for two straight years so he was leading the bandwagon I guess.
Hockey Analytics awards Lidstrom top d-man [not a shock] but Dion Phaneuf is nowhere to be found. Brian Rafalski finished 4th. Lidstrom, like Datsyuk, is the top player at his position group [in this case defensemen] over the past 5 seasons. But Brian Rafalski and Mathieu Schneider rank 5th and 6th over the past half decade.
Lids ranks #2 as the top defensive defenseman in the NHL behind Marc Edouard Vlasic. Rafalski ranked 5th. Brooks “free candy” Orpik is nowhere to be found. But he did have that one shift in the Stanley Cup finals.
Pavs has got the Lady Byng in a chokehold. That bitch belongs to him. Lidstrom and Rafalski are old-timers who still kick ass.
Pavel Datsyuk is #2 in terms of drawing the most penalties but taking the least. Ryder has Datsyuk and Lidstrom as 1st team All Stars and Rafi as a 2nd teamer. Lidstrom and Datsyuk make the “All Defense” team and “All Even Handed” team. Zetterberg and Rafalski make 2nd team on the “All Power Play” team.
So in short:
1. Nick Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk are freaking dominant NHL’ers
2. Zetterberg and Rafalski kick all kinds of ass
3. The Red Wings have cheap talent but - just as important - it’s cheap talent that plays above their contract amount
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