On the Forecheck
Next entry: Another two bite the dust?
Previous entry: Who won the Tampa-Vancouver trade?
Scott Nichol: 2008-9 Forechecker’s Forecast
by Forechecker on 10/07/08 at 12:09 PM ET
Comments (1)
While Jason Arnott and David Legwand get most of the attention among Nashville centermen, Scott Nichol plays just as important a role in the team’s success. As a faceoff and penalty killing specialist, Nichol’s accomplishments are well-known. But his general even-strength play is worth some attention as well.
Using the 5-on-5 advanced statistics from Behind the Net, we see that when Nichol plays, the Predators’ Goals For/60 Minutes stays pretty much the same (2.69 when he’s on, 2.66 when he’s off the ice), but the Goals Against drops significantly (1.98 when he’s on, 2.54 when he’s off). That, my friends, is a defensive center who actually helps win hockey games (cough, cough).
While those aspects of his game are obviously what matter most to the Predators, all you Fantasy Hockey maniacs will want to review Nichol’s offensive production:
| Scott Nichol Production & Ice Time, Last 3 Seasons | ||||||
| GP | EV Pts/60 | PP Pts/60 | EV TOI/G | PP TOI/G | SH TOI/G | |
| 2005-06 | 34 | 1.14 | 0.00 | 7:44 | 0:14 | 2:30 |
| 2006-07 | 59 | 1.11 | 15.25 | 9:09 | 0:08 | 3:14 |
| 2007-08 | 73 | 1.17 | 6.16 | 10:31 | 0:08 | 2:35 |
Now, a Points/60 Minutes figure around 1.00 is underwhelming; but again, that’s not what Nichol brings to the team. The real question with this diminuitive dynamo is when and how he’s going to get suspended. Last year, it was Montreal’s Patrice Brisebois who caught a cross-check to the face, earning Nichol 5 games in the stockade. The season before that Buffalo’s Jaroslav Spacek got an early Christmas present in the form of a sucker-punch from Nichol, who had just been run into the goalpost by the Sabres defenseman (that one got Nichol a 9-game suspension). So who’s going to be on the receiving end this year?
With that in mind, here’s the official Forechecker’s Forecast…
| Forechecker’s Forecast, 2008-9 NHL Regular Season | ||||||
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | Shots | Sht % |
| Scott Nichol | 75 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 80 | 8 |
Filed in: Fantasy Hockey, Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: Scott+Nichol,
Comments
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
A pivotal Predators prospect: Colin Wilson
Canadian hockey team on the road to Nashville
Two recreational hockey players die on same night, at same rink
Calgary investor Brett Wilson to buy stake in the Nashville Predators
Preds enjoy a command performance
To buy or not to buy? That is the question…
About On the Forecheck
Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats and analysis. Having started over 10 years ago writing for websites like In the Crease and e-Sports, Dirk launched On The Forecheck in 2005 to cover the Nashville Predators as well as apply statistical analysis to NHL hockey.
Email:
Furious February
The Preds host 10 home games during the month of February, including two games each against the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and, yes, the Detroit Red Wings. For discounted Nashville Predators tickets, including steeply discounted Ticketmaster fees, to these or any other upcoming home games, take advantage of this special offer, and use the special offer code "predators".
I really think Nichol will contribute more offensively this year. Given the youngsters on the roster, i think Nichol will see his ice time go up, especially with top talent in spot situations where a responsible veteran is needed. Not talking 20 goals or even 30 points, but i think 8 goals and 20 points is more what i’d look (hope) for.
Posted by Paul NIcholson from Nashville, TN on 10/07/08 at 09:52 PM ET