SYNERGY!

A debate has sparked up again over at Lowetides site regarding the usefulness of defenders - this time spurred on by the Smid post. Smid has played his way back into the Oilers regular lineup after being bumped off the opening day roster by vetern Jason Strudwick - a journeyman who was expected to be the Oilers #7. But an early injury to Strudwick just a few games in game gave young Smid another shot and he's been making the most of it. Aside from a fluke goal handed to Colorado by a lazy linesman, Smid has been the ultimate shutdown defender since his return, teams cannot score while Ladi's on the ice. It's been pointed out in the comments at LT's site that Smid has been the beneficiary of some stellar goal tending while he's on the ice (.981 SP is not too shabby as Bubbles would say). But at what point does goal tending effect defensive play, or be buoyed by good defense? The stats guys are always quick to point to save percentage while a fella is on the ice and say "he's been the beneficiary of an unsustainable goaltending streak". Fair enough - I doubt that Roli and Garon and Deslaurier will continue to stop 98 shots out of every 100 behind Smid. But could the hot goaltending streak be more attributed to the defenders on the ice and not be in spite of it?

I've always been a proponent of shot quality, I don't think it should be ignored when crunching numbers. In fact, I think the numbers - as neat as they can be - mean a whole lot less without the context of quality. And quality doesn't just mean location of the shot. Shot quality includes location, puck speed, player speed, player lateral movement, screens, even game situation. No two shots in a game situation are created equally and to track shot quality throughout a game is near impossible. Some shots should be stopped 100% of the time, some shots are impossible to stop, and there are a whole lotta in betweens. Now, just as some players are better at getting a goalie to freeze or move in the opposite direction of a shot, there are defenders that are better at directing shots wide or keeping the play to the outside where shots come from less dangerous positions and less dangerous situations.

So where is the effect greater? Does a goalie drag out the 4x6 sheet when a certain player is on the ice because he has to or because he can? It's a real catch 22. A conundrum if you will. A delima even. You get my drift. As a goaltender myself, I'd take the outside shots with clear looks everytime. It helps my SP go up, it keeps the defenders numbers in the black. Both players benefit - mutually advantageous if you will.