Peter DeBoer just showed why he should be the next Maple Leafs coach without even mentioning Toronto once
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Peter DeBoer just states the best case to become coach of the Maple Leafs as his explanation of using an analytics driven system coupled with a keen hockey mind shows that he's the top guy for the job.
As Keith Pelley continues his quest to find the right pieces to slot into the Maple Leafs front office, there's been talks that in terms of the coaching aspect of things; they already have someone in mind.
However it would behoove MLSE to take a strong look at the other candidates available, and if they are going to stress a data-centric philosophy — they need the same mind behind the bench.
Mastering the yin and yang of a winning identity is the only way to progress the Maple Leafs
Which is why Peter DeBoer's explanation of why analytics are such a valuable tool is so fascinating. This is a guy who knows how important the numbers are but also stressed that there is always a caveat to the benefits:
The key is how you decipher the numbers. The dangerous part is that for every yin there's a yang. For example, you have a fore-checking identity you're naturally — those numbers; because you emphasis it will be high in that area but will lack in another.
Example. Florida, best forecheck team; the yang is they dump every puck in to get those numbers up and play with that. If you wanna make a case; you can make a negative case they don't have any controlled entry.
You have to be careful, and it has to be built around the identity of your team and what you want to emphasize.
Example. Florida, best forecheck team; the yang is they dump every puck in to get those numbers up and play with that. If you wanna make a case; you can make a negative case they don't have any controlled entry.
You have to be careful, and it has to be built around the identity of your team and what you want to emphasize.
That's a pretty straightforward explanation of what it takes to win. There's obviously benefits, but you're going to sacrifice some aspects for another. It's about finding the balance between keeping your identity and adapting on the fly.
If Toronto had a game plan where they could focus on what they were good at and just improve, then they could find more success. By not knowing where the team needs to improve or even having the awareness to know where they'll succeed is poor coaching.
Using high-level intelligence to audit individual performances will finally force change in Toronto
DeBoer was pretty chatty on Wednesday and continued on a bit more into why the analytics portion of the game is so valuable — especially when it comes to improving the players personally:
Those expected goal numbers are very valuable, taking the scoring chances for and against and made it more accurate; those are great. Are you tilting the ice the right way?
Where I found it valuable is individual player meetings. A player is struggling and you can quickly look and see '20 games compared to producing well' then you look at the details of that. Are you getting in the right areas? Do you have the puck enough?
Where I found it valuable is individual player meetings. A player is struggling and you can quickly look and see '20 games compared to producing well' then you look at the details of that. Are you getting in the right areas? Do you have the puck enough?
It's a genuinely brilliant use of the numbers because it seems so obvious. Why wouldn't you want to use the hard numbers that show how efficient a player is being. Imagine if Craig Berube noticed that he barely used Auston Matthews on offence and had the tools to adapt to help both the captain and team succeed?
Instead, that old-school mentality and over reliance on Matthews' defensive game has neutered who was once someone inarguably the greatest scorer in the world.
DeBoer has managed to win a lot thanks to his ability to take the numbers, apply them practically, and actually make a difference game to game.
If Toronto wants to even have a chance to compete, they need to hand the 'Yin-Yang' maestro a blank cheque.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Craig Berube publicly backed Keith Pelley today even though his own job as Maple Leafs coach is at risk
Craig Berube publicly backed Keith Pelley today even though his own job as Maple Leafs coach is at risk
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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AVRIL 1|1283 ANSWERS Peter DeBoer just showed why he should be the next Maple Leafs coach without even mentioning Toronto once Should the Maple Leafs hire Peter DeBoer or another coach? | ||
| Peter DeBoer | 672 | 52.4 % |
| Someone Else | 611 | 47.6 % |
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