Having covered on-ice shooting and save percentages aleady, the next step is to look at the biggest variance in individual NHL p

Having covered on-ice shooting and save percentages aleady, the next step is to look at the biggest variance in individual NHL player shooting percentages this season. Danny Shelton Jersey . While it might be easy enough to accept the notion that its difficult for a player to affect on-ice shooting or save percentages, because they are heavily-dependent on other players, its another matter entirely to accept the premise that an NHL player doesnt necessrily have a significant impact on his own shooting percentage in a given season. For one thing, as much as it might be convenient for viewrs, a single season isnt enough to capture a players true shooting ability, which means there is a high degree of variance possible. This variance is important, particularly in terms of perception, because its how players end up having career years. When Brett Hull scored 86 goals in 1990-1991, he finished a career-high 22.1% of all of his shots; 65 goals for Alex Ovechkin in 2007-2008? Scored on a career-high 14.6% of all of his shots. Teemu Selannes 76-goal rookie season came on 19.6% shooting, the best of his career. This is how seasons go from good to great but, just as save percentage is wildly unpredictable for goaltenders from one year to the next, so too is shooting percentage for individual players. This is relevant because perception is widely based on goal-scoring. Goals determine winners and losers and are easy to identify, but the reason we pay attention to these outlier percentages is to have have some idea whats real and what isnt. Take Blues LW Alexander Steen, for example. Hes enjoying the best season of his career, with 33 goals and 60 points in 64 games. Hes a tremendous two-way player who has probably been underrated, but hes received more accolades this year because hes become a more prolific goal-scorer. Even though his scoring has slowed since an outrageous start to the year, when he scored 17 goals in 18 games, Steen ranks fifth in the league in goals per game, behind Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin, Gustav Nyquist and Corey Perry. If Steen was finishing at his typical (5-on-5) rate, 8.87% over the previous five seasons coming into the year, that would knock 11 even-strength goals off his total and while 22 goals and 49 points in 64 games is a fine season, its not held in the same esteem as Steens 33-goal, 60-point season. When youve evaluating Steen going forward, is it fair to conclude that hes now the player who scores on 18.4% of his 5-on-5 shots, or is that departure from his established performance level essentially a fluke? There is a lot of randomness at play for a player to have his shooting percentage skyrocket, Steen (and his linemates -- David Backes and T.J. Oshie) deserve some credit because Steen is getting better quality shots than he has in previous seasons. Using Some Kind of Ninjas shot tracker, we can see that Steens average shooting distance, at even-strength, is 28.4 feet, his best of all years tracked since 2008-2009. So, getting shots 3-4 feet closer on average may account for some improvement, though most likely not enough to more than double his even-strength shooting percentage. Lets look at Nyquist, who had four goals in 40 NHL games entering this season and now has 28 goals in 51 games this year, virtually saving the Red Wings playoff chances. Even the most optimistic fan isnt going to expect Nyquist to keep scoring on more than 20% of his shots, simply because no one does. This isnt to rain on Nyquists current goal parade, because its awesome, but if we reasonably think that Nyquist might be an above-average shooter (even, as high as 12%), then that would typically mean 12 goals at 5-on-5 instead of 21 -- that nine-goal difference would be massive for both Nyquist and the Red Wings. Its the kind of thing that no player needs to apologize for, but everyone must understand that these runs will end and regression will bring a player closer to his real skill level. That can still be very good, just not necessarily the out-of-this-world pace that Nyquist is keeping now. By the same token, how many times do you hear a player, mired in a slump, say that they feel okay as long as they are getting their chances? Its cliche, but utterly true. Sure, this player might be snakebitten for 10 games, 20 games, even a whole season, but if there is an established level of being able to score, there have to be extreme reasons for that player to suddenly and dramatically lose that skill. If youre looking for bounceback players going into next season, then, consider some of those that saw their shooting percentages crash this year and, by contrast, you might consider selling high on those players that finished at an abnormally high rate this season. Below, youll see players that have the widest differentials in their previously-established 5-on-5 shooting percentages compared to their results this season. My thanks to stats.hockeyanalysis.com for the data. HIGH INDIVIDUAL SHOOTING PERCENTAGE (min. 10 5-on-5 goals in 2013-2014) Alexander Steen, LW, St. Louis 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 8.87 2013-14 5-on-5 SH%: 18.40 Difference: +9.53 Joe Pavelski, C, San Jose 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 8.19 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 16.80 Difference: +8.61 Ryan OReilly, LW, Colorado 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 6.98 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 15.13 Difference: +8.15 Joel Ward, RW, Washington 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 6.67 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 14.44 Difference: +7.77 Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 10.42 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 17.32 Difference: +6.90 Nick Foligno, LW, Columbus 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 7.89 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 14.74 Difference: +6.85 Artem Anisimov, C, Columbus 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.83 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 15.38 Difference: +6.45 Frans Nielsen, C, N.Y. Islanders 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 8.89 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 14.89 Difference: +6.00 Valtteri Filppula, C, Tampa Bay 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.96 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 17.20 Difference: +5.24 (Honourable mention to Nashvilles Nick Spaling, who has nine 5-on-5 goals, but has seen 5-on-5 shooting percentage jump from 8.38% to 13.64% and San Joses Martin Havlat, who only has eight goals, but his SH% is up from 9.47% to 16.00%.) LOW INDIVIDUAL SHOOTING PERCENTAGE (forwards with min. 20 5-on-5 goals from 2007-2008 through 2012-2013) Matt DAgostini, RW, Buffalo 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 7.54 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.53 Difference: -5.01 Todd Bertuzzi, RW, Detroit 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.95 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.76 Difference: -5.19 Torrey Mitchell, RW, Buffalo 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 7.62 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.33 Difference: -5.29 Mathieu Perreault, C, Anaheim 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 21.90 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 16.46 Difference: -5.44 Kyle Brodziak, C, Minnesota 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 10.20 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.49 Difference: -5.71 Blake Comeau, RW, Columbus 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.66 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 3.49 Difference: -6.17 Ryan Malone, LW, Tampa Bay 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.90 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 5.66 Difference: -6.24 Tomas Fleischmann, LW, Florida 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.58 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 5.26 Difference: -6.32 Colin Wilson, LW, Nashville 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 14.02 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 7.59 Difference: -6.43 Steve Ott, C, St. Louis 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.82 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 3.33 Difference: -6.49 David Jones, RW, Calgary 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 13.92 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 6.67 Difference: -7.25 Steve Bernier, RW, New Jersey 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.78 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.41 Difference: -7.37 Shawn Horcoff, C, Dallas 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.69 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.04 Difference: -7.62 T.J. Galiardi, LW, Calgary 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 10.31 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.47 Difference: -7.84 Benoit Pouliot, N.Y. Rangers 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 13.46 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.81 Difference: -8.65 Alexandre Burrows, RW, Vancouver 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 12.77 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.11 Difference: -8.66 Martin Erat, LW, Phoenix 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.90 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.50 Difference: -9.40 Marcus Johansson, LW, Washington 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 14.47 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 3.03 Difference: -11.44 Ville Leino, LW, Buffalo 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 12.50 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 0.00 Difference: -12.50 Steve Downie, RW, Philadelphia 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 13.00 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 0.00 Difference: -13.00 Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Cordarrelle Patterson Jersey . - IndyCar racing officials expressed confidence on Monday that the NOLA Motorsports Park will be able to complete more $4. Trent Brown Jersey .Y. - The Buffalo Sabres reassigned forward Sam Reinhart to the WHLs Kootenay Ice on Friday. http://www.patriotsfanaticstores.com/authentic-cordarrelle-patterson-patriots-jersey/ . -- Lara Gut of Switzerland regained the overall World Cup lead with Sundays super-G win in Lake Louise, Alta.First things first, congratulations to the Canadian athletes who did our country proud at the Olympics in Sochi. It wasnt just the medal count that was impressive, but the manner in which our Canadian men and women carried themselves on the World stage. Canadians proved once again that when they have the support they need, they can compete with any country in the world. And a very special thanks to our mens and womens hockey teams. They are the two teams that every four years seem to have more pressure on them to perform than any team in the history of sport. One observation before we get to football. Im not a hockey analyst, but Im a hockey fan, and fan of watching excellence, and it is very impressive to watch head coach Mike Babcock in action. Two things stood out while watching Babcock bring a group of superstars together. First, at about the midway point of the tourney, Babcock was asked why Sidney Crosby wasnt scoring. His reply: "everyone evaluates Sid on scoring, and I evaluate Sid on winning." He went on to suggest that Canadas lack of scoring shouldnt be judged as a poor offensive effort. "Dont get confused, we outchanced these teams big-time; we didnt score. We were a great offensive team. Thats how we coached." Babcock had asked this group of talented players to check their egos at the door and play a well rounded team game, and they complied. Proof of that was after the Gold Medal game, when Jonathan Toews was asked about the teams low offensive output in the tourney, and Toews answer suggested that at any time anyone on the Team Canada roster could have become more creative offensively and tried to put up big points, but that wasnt the plan and this team was going to stick to the plan. Yes, there were some close games including the 1-0 win against the Americans, but in the end Babcocks plan was bang on, and clearly not one player on Canadas roster was confused. Great stuff! Now to football, where one story has been in the shadows while we watched the Olympics. It involves the leagues newest team, the Ottawa Redblacks, and their quarterback situation. Lets hit the refresh button on the computer for a second. Just prior to the start of the Olympics, the Redblacks signed Henry Burris, and named him the starter at the press conference. This occurred not long after the expansion draft where Ottawa GM Marcel Desjardins chose Kevin Glenn from the Calgary Stampeders. In a conference call after the draft Glenn talked about how excited he was to have his own team to lead in the 2014 season. Then after the Burris announcement, Glenn had a bit of a Twitter issue where it looked like he was trying to direct message a couple of other players and accidentally sent a comment to the masses that wasnt exactly a ringing endorsement for the organization. Now Glenn claimed he was hacked, and maybe he was, but it doesnt change the fact that there could be a quarterback controversy brewing in the Nations Capital before they even take their first offensive snap. In a brief chat with Desjardins at the CFL Congress, the Ottawa GM indicated that he would listen to all trade offers of course, but would like to go to camp with all the QBs he currently has on his roster. However, will that be easier said than done? Glenn turned down my request to an interview for this story, as I tried to gauge where he is at mentally with regards to all that has developed in Ottawa. Now I respect Glenns choice to avoid hhaving to comment on the situation, but it does force us to speculate. Jordan Matthews Patriots Jersey. Does Glenn not want to talk publicly right now because he has nothing positive or constructive to say about the situation? Or is he declining interviews because he doesnt think there is anything to this story and that he is perfectly comfortable going to camp as the back-up to Burris? I know where my vote would go, but again it is only speculation. There are a few teams that could benefit from the addition of Kevin Glenn, and at the top of that list is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Bombers have been searching for stability at QB for years now, and if they could somehow swing a trade with Ottawa, they would finally have it. In fact with Drew Willy getting his shot for the Bombers this year, acquiring Glenn would create a situation similar to what we have watched in Calgary the last couple of years. The Stamps have felt the future is Drew Tate (and now possibly Bo Levi Mitchell) and over the last two years had Glenn as the best insurance policy in the game. Willy with the veteran Glenn behind him is the same scenario and all of a sudden would give the Bombers a real chance to turn things around. Then again, how will Glenn feel about backing up Willy? Glenns situation is another example of the cliché that you hear from general managers all the time. "It is a great game but a terrible business." You cant fault Desjardins and head coach Rick Campbell for trying to acquire the best talent possible and create competition in camp. On the other hand, it is impossible to not feel for Kevin Glenn who just doesnt ever seem to be able to shake that back-up label, despite leading the Stamps to a West Final and a Grey Cup over the last two seasons. Also it is not that much of a stretch to suggest that the team that is able to acquire Glenn will become the best team in the league at the most important position on the field. Pick a team: BC, Travis Lulay and Kevin Glenn, not bad especially since Lulay is coming off another shoulder injury. Edmonton, Mike Rielly, Glenn and Matt Nichols. Reilly was very good last year and will be better, Nichols is working his way back from injury, Glenn gives them stability. Saskatchewan, Darian Durant and Glenn, tough to beat that experience. Toronto, Ricky Ray and Glenn, working in Scott Milanovichs offensive system, yikes! Montreal, the young Troy Smith learning from the veteran Glenn in meetings and on the practice field. I have left out Calgary and Hamilton because Glenn returning to either of those teams seems like a longer shot, however its not out of the realm of possibility, and both those teams would improve their chances of winning by adding Glenn. Which camp Kevin Glenn attends is a question that may not be answered for a while as teams sort through their rosters. However, it is a story I wanted to wedge in between the Olympics and the NHL trade deadline and one to watch as the off-season continues. In the meantime we can continue to speculate as to whether or not Glenn is angry with Ottawa and wants out, or is content to be the back-up to Burris and just doesnt want to talk about it. If the situation becomes confusing for Glenn or the brass in Ottawa they can refer back to Team Canadas Babcock and what he was able to do with that group of superstar hockey players. "Everyone evaluates Sid on scoring, and I evaluate Sid on winning." Dont get confused. 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