This "Knuckles Vs. Numbers" Video About The Hockey Enforcer Going Extinct Is An Excellent Watch
The analytics vs. enforcers debate is one that’s been raging in hockey for a few years now and everyone has chosen their corner and dug in hard. I’m in the middle. New stats matter, but they’re not everything. It’s basically like Moneyball a few years back when stat guys said all you needed was 9 Scott Hatterberg’s and you were World Series bound. Eventually both sides calmed down and everything fell back to earth: you didn’t throw your old plan out the window, but you consulted these numbers. It’s a nice to have new stats but they’re not everything. Locker room guys are important, ask the 2013 Red Sox. I’d bet that Corsi would’ve told you the Canucks would destroy the Bruins in 2011, but instead they got bullied all over the ice. When it comes to analytics, like with everything, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Guys who can’t skate and can only throw a punch are probably dead, but there’s always going to be a spot for guys who are more tough than skilled in hockey.
At least that’s what I thought before I watched this. Now I hope Corsi dies a horrible death. I hope enforcers rise up and beat the shit out of every analytics guy, stuff them in a locker and smash their computers. I want enforcers to erase the word Corsi from existence, find and destroy every Fenwick file like Hansel and Zoolander. And it’s all because of these two…
Is it possible to find two people less likeable? Almost feel like Grantland when out and casted two people that will make you HATE the numbers nerds, because these guys couldn’t have been an accident. That bottom guy might be the most pretentious asshole I’ve ever seen. I don’t care if the Bruins lose 82 games next year let’s bring in Milbury, sign every enforcer still playing then just go out there like Charlestown Chiefs and wreck shop. I want to to be like a zookeeper protecting an extinct animal. Bring all the enforcers to me, just to prove these two idiots wrong. Sure they’ll be right about it not making for a good hockey team, but they’ll be wrong about the extinction part. And that’s only 50% correct which gives them a pretty meh Corsi.
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h/t @MikeColeNESN