Can Analytics Bring the Detroit Red Wings Success?

Advanced statistics and analytics are a growing trend in the NHL.

They provide unique ways of perceiving a player's and team's effectiveness on the ice in different game situations.

Most of these numbers are not officially recognized statistics, but that has not stopped coaches and team personnel throughout the hockey universe from adopting new practices.

The information is evolving before our very eyes into a word-search collection of numbers, seemingly scattered at random throughout countless Excel spreadsheets.

Perhaps now is the time to invest heavily in the highlighter market.

The scariest part? It all makes sense.

In Detroit, new assistant coach Jim Hiller brings just such analysis to the computer screens, office desks and playing surface of Joe Louis Arena.

He played in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.

The 11-year coaching vet in the Western Hockey League and British Columbia Hockey League brings a wealth of knowledge and an innovative perspective.

His experience on the ice and behind the bench will be invaluable, but his immersion in advanced player statistics could be a game-changer in Detroit.

Hiller had his own analytics company and has utilized his familiarity to explore the on-ice game from different angles. Hiller explained his approach to Alex DiFilippo of DetroitRedWings.com:

"

I think all the information out there is good. It’s just a matter of where it’s practical or where you can implement it. But I think you always have to keep an eye on it. There always seems to be a way to get better, you just have to find it. If that’s an angle, then you use that. The fact that it’s part of the conversation these days is probably a good thing.

"

This new information gathered can translate into ways of measuring an individual’s effectiveness at both ends of the rink, offensive consistency and even chemistry with linemates.

Corsi and Fenwick numbers evaluate a player’s productivity in a plus/minus-like system utilizing shot attempts for and against.

PDO is the league’s “luck” factor comparing shooting percentage and save percentage at even strength.

Head coach Mike Babcock has bought into the concept of using advanced analytics in his coaching. With a full offseason to analyze team film, the new approach appears to have opened his mind. Babcock expressed to ESPN NHL Insider Craig Custance:

"

You keep seeing the same players do good things over and over again -- a couple of them I’ve been wrong on. I shouldn’t be wrong on them. That’s where I believe you need the numbers.

"

Last season Gustav Nyquist led the club in points per 60 minutes of play. Henrik Zetterberg finished second, but it was Riley Sheahan who surprisingly came in third at 2.19.

Interpreting the most successful talents is just a small variable in formulating an approach. The Detroit brass will continue to pursue alternative ways to draw more out of what skates in front of it.

The familiarity with this team, new assistant coaches and a fresh perception could spark positive results.

Success has been achieved throughout the history of this great game with chalkboards, whiteboards, dry-erase markers on the bench wall and X’s and O’s on the glass in practice.

The numbers alone can’t bring about the overall success of a team, otherwise there would be no need for an 82-game season.

What may look good on paper has to translate to play on the ice before cloth in the rafters.