With the recent announcement that Team Truculence has waived Colton Orr and Kyle McLaren, should Luke Gazdic be hearing the footsteps?
The phrase, “hearing the footsteps,” was en-vogue in Kamloops Minor Hockey (and I think hockey in large) in the early 1990’s. It simply meant that a guy was on edge because he had been rattled by some physical play. I qualify this because at 38 year old I predate going, “top cheddar.”
However, should Luke Gazdic be nervous?
The waiving of Orr and McLaren could be seen as analytics motivated move; especially in light of the Leafs hiring of wunderkind Kyle Dubas over the summer. The key point from the sportsnet.ca article was, “Neither registered a point” (with regards to last season).
Are analytics in hockey a real topic permeating the mainstream? If you do not believe this is case, than perhaps you should pick up a copy of the October 6th, 2014 edition of the National Post. Analytics centre the front page.
It seems that the Leafs are interested in possession and players that can move the puck. You don’t need fancy stats for evidence that Orr and McLaren are behind the curve. The lack of any sort of production is illuminating enough in itself.
The ,”pro staged fight,” crowd should be pretty fired up by this point. I’ve heard the arguments about intimidation. However, the problem with the argument is that players like Orr and McLaren rarely see the ice versus John Tavares. Why? The coach would be crazy to put his team at such an obvious disadvantage.
The same could be said for Luke Gazdic.
Gazdic is a one dimensional player, though many of his defenders will point out he is a strong skater for his size. Whether he can skate like the wind or not, the question that remains is if he can play and produce as an actual hockey player. Is his 2 goals and 2 assists in 67 games last season enough? Is there enough of an athlete in his 6.04, 240 lbs frame to develop into a player who can be counted on for five to ten minutes of decent hockey per game? Based on hockey player we witnessed last season many wouldn’t bet on his chances.
As a point of interest Gazdic’s Cosi Rel last season was -16.5 and his Corsi On was -26.77. I know some will argue you can’t assign Corsi numbers to an individual player, Dallas Eakins included, but it is hard to argue for a player who was -16.5 shots against, than the average, on a very poor team.
No one can argue his proficiency in the bare knuckle arts, but with the Oilers’ hiring of analytics guru Tyler Dellow over he summer, is Gazdic a dinosaur watching the meteor burst into flames in the atmosphere?
Gazdic has a two year contract which he will be paid for the next 24 months by an NHL team (likely the Oilers). Beyond that? Its anyone’s guess, but the way the tides are shifting in hockey he will need to focus on becoming a reliable checking winger who is responsible for more than fighting to earn another one.
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