from Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star,

“Most teams haven’t yet really become interested in hockey analytics,” Rob Vollman, the hockey analytics writer, was saying in a recent interview....

“Suffice it to say, I have had many, many discussions with many teams trying to persuade them to build an analytics department,” Vollman said. “It’s a tough battle.”

Vollman still has to point out to hockey executives that analytics departments, if they’re being used correctly, aren’t simply in the business of crunching the so-called advanced stats with which they’ve become synonymous in some circles. It’s not about ranking players via Corsi. It’s about using intellect and research and industriousness to find edges in a salary-capped league.

“Analytics serve best as a sober second thought to challenge or confirm your traditional opinion, and/or find things you’ve missed. That’s what it’s for,” Vollman said. “If you’ve come to a traditional opinion about a trade or a free-agent contract or a draft pick or a coaching strategy, the numbers can actually tell you if you’re right, if your assumptions are correct. (Analytics) can test your beliefs. Most of the time it will confirm them. The numbers usually line up with what we think. If they don’t, that’s where it gets interesting.”

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