[Berglund, Sobotka, & a Season Preview]

 I have been a chronic lurker here for more then 5 years. But I just wanted to show some appreciation, @Randall Flagg this is an awesome quality write up. Its post like these that keeps Sabrespace a step above other Sabre social media outlets (reddit, etc..) and keeps me coming back day after day. 

 

[The FNC has become a morgue]

The problem is the lack of drama in the game. Goals come too randomly off of lucky bounces and random deflections rather then set plays and odd man rushes. The average fan has no idea when something exciting is going to happen at any point in the game and thus it becomes mundane to randomly cheer throughout the game because most likely a shot will be blocked, the puck will get tied up in a corner, or the home team will lose possession. 

 

My solution is for the league to start calling penalties again. 

 

When a penalty is called, whether it be for the home team or the away team, the average fan immediately understands that for the next two minutes (or less) something is about to go down. Prolonged possession, scoring chances, incredible saves, players diving to the ice to block a shot or reach a puck, are all things that happen regularly when there is a power play and all incite the fan base from both teams to cheer or hold their breath in anticipation. 

[Hockey Analytics]

We always talk and hear about offensive/defensive "advanced" stats such as Corsi, but does anyone know of any advance stats that describe goaltenders? I think it would be interesting to see where some goalies on bad teams ( such as Neuvirth) stand compared to goalies on good defensive teams.

[Traverse City Tournament: Sept. 12 - Sept. 16]

I've been listening in and it sounds like we are doing much better than the score shows unfortunately. Penalties are killing us. I haven't been listening toooo actively but Reinhart and Armia seem to be standing out to me fwiw.