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 11:09 AM 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.
Nichol’s offensive contributions are pure gravy to the Predators
Photo Courtesy Paul Nicholson
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.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
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 Kukla’s Korner
Kukla’s Korner is updated around the clock with the work of our own talented bloggers, plus links to the best hockey writing around the internet. We strive to bring you all the breaking hockey news as it happens.
The home page allows you to see the latest postings from every blog on the site. Subscribe here. For general inquiries and more, please contact us anytime.
Get the top online sports betting bonuses available to sports betters!
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker.
As well as reading about hockey games, you can also find info about poker like which poker sites accept American Express or which are the best Canadian poker sites and also find the top rakeback sites at rakeback.net.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
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