Desist with the assists...

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 14, 2006 5:57 PM EST

Over at the Globe on Hockey blog, James Mirtle posited the natural question as to whether Sid Crosby is now the NHL's best player, given his showcase 6-point performance against Philadelphia the other night, and his ascension to the top of the NHL scoring race.

Not to poo-poo what Sid the Kid has accomplished so far this year, but I thought I'd slice up one section of the scoring race, and present the results. To what extent it helps answer Mirtle's question I leave as an exercise for the reader.

Below I've divided up the assist totals between "first" and "second" assists. The feeling among some is that 1st Assists are more directly linked to the creation of a goal, and that 2nd Assists are more often than not "cheapies" that are unrelated to the creation of an offensive chance. Actually, I recall a goal back in the 1990's where Bob Errey cut in front of the net just as Steve Yzerman let off a shot. Errey jumped in front of the goalie, and the puck caromed off his cup and into the net, so I guess even goals can be gifts as well.

Anyways, what I've presented below is a breakdown of the Top 30 Assist leaders, with breakouts of their 1st vs. 2nd, as well as the percentage that are 1st Assists. The "Mod Pts" column shows what the point standings would look like if 2nd Assists weren't counted. Anyone care to comment back with when 2nd Assists did start getting recorded?

Under this "Old Time Hockey" scoring, Teemu Selanne of the Anaheim Ducks would actually leap into the #1 spot, just ahead of Atlanta's Marian Hossa. Crosby is still within another Flyers game of catching them, only 3 points back.

As always, click to enlarge, and discuss amongst yourselves...

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Hi,

I enjoy reading your entries and am very impressed with the spin you give to the stats. Keep up the good work!

Can I use some of your analysis relating to the Kings over at my blog, quoting the source of course?

by Harry on Dec 15, 2006 3:37 PM EST reply actions

Absolutely, that's what blogging is all about. Cite whatever you like...

by The Forechecker on Dec 15, 2006 5:14 PM EST reply actions

Interesting take on the second assist. Sometimes it can be meaning less (outlet pass by the goalie to defensman carries all the way to opposing goal passes to forward who scores . . .) but other times the first pass sets up another player in open ice with freedom to shoot, or fake it and pass to someone who now has an open net to score on. In this case the play was made by the player ending up with "only" a second assist.

Or Foward A carries the puck through the defense finds a defensman at the blue line - he fires and it is deflected in. Did not the foward set up this play completely? Just b/c it barely got redirected in front he should lose the assist?

Some second assists are cheapies - many are not. Hey the same can be said for goals no?

by Anonymous on Jan 3, 2007 1:25 PM EST reply actions