GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 11: Martin Erat #10, David Moss #18 and Martin Hanzal #11 of the Arizona Coyotes before the NHL game against the Nashville Predators at Gila River Arena on December 11, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. The Predators defeated the Coyotes 5-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Quality of Puck Possession – Arizona Coyotes

In the last feature we explored the Anaheim Ducks and their quality of possession. Once again we must acknowledge the efforts of   A.C. Thomas and Sam Ventura of WAR On Ice for bring the Scoring Chances statistic into the collection of modern hockey statistics. Once again if you are wondering the details of what qualifies as a Scoring Chance, their site has an in depth explanation.

After looking into this in further depth with the Ducks I decided to begin looking at all the teams in the NHL and there were some interesting results. For simplicity sake I will only review one team per feature. If you want to look at an individual players Corsi Quality and Finishing Ability you can also check out the calculator that I posted at Pucking Numbers.

Next up for review are the struggling Arizona Coyotes. Traditionally no matter what came their way the combination of Head Coach Dave Tippett and General Manager Don Maloney always found a way to be competitive. Unfortunately the wheels finally came off this season in Arizona, which has left them looking towards a rebuild. Which players have been contributing the best quality of puck possession and finishing ability for the Coyotes this season? Let’s take a look.

Corsi Quality - ARI

 

I pulled these statistics from WAR On Ice and limited the results to players with 10 games or more played. The best Coyotes’ this season in terms of quality shot attempts, measured by the percentage of Corsi events that were also scoring chances, have been Lucas Lessio, Joe Vitale, David Moss, Connor Murphy and Brandon Gormley. Interestingly enough Antoine Vermette, who is likely to be the “big name” acquisition at the trade deadline this year, ranks near the bottom of the Coyotes with only 43.2% of his shot attempts resulting in a scoring chance. There have been many discussing why Vermette is a trade deadline deal to stay away from for contending teams. I am in full agreement, while he is a solid NHL-er, he is not worth the rumored price of a first round pick and solid prospect.

The Coyotes players that are allowing the opposition the most quality scoring chances are David Schlemko, Martin Hanzal, Sam Gagner, Shane Doan and Keith Yandle. In terms of which players limit the shot quality of the opposition, Arizona can count on Lucas Lessio, Joe Vitale, Tobias Rieder, Brandon Gormley and Chris Summers. Based on the quality of shot attempts both for and against, Joe Vitale looks like a great pick up by Don Maloney after the Penguins decided to move forward without him.

In terms of finishing ability, Dave Tippett has seen the highest amount of conversions on scoring chances from Martin Hanzal, Mikkel Boedker, Antoine Vermette, Shane Doan and Tobias Rieder. The players that have seen the opposition convert on scoring chances the most are Martin Erat, Chris Summers and Brandon McMillan. Once again the least amount of goals off scoring chances sees Joe Vitale, Tobias Rieder and Brandon Gormley taking center stage.

With some of their younger players showing well in limiting quality of shot attempts against while having a high quality of shot attempts for it bodes well for the future of the organization. Some of Don Maloney’s draft picks are starting to show what they can do at the NHL level and it is mostly good news for any Arizona Coyotes season ticket holder.

About Mike Burse

Mike will make the numbers make sense in the NHL for Puck Drunk Love.

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