Stu Cowan: Corey Perry Shows Analytics Isn’t The Only Solution Canadians Need

Article content

Jeff Gorton has said he will place a strong emphasis on analytics as the Canadiens’ new chief executive of hockey operations.

Article content

That’s great because the Canadiens can use whatever advantage they can get at this point and the improved analytics should help. Gorton said he would also focus on player development, which is even better because it has been a huge problem for a long time.

“Starting with the analysis, I think we have to build it better, to modernize it,” Gorton said when he met with the media last Friday. “I believe in analytics and I think that the way the game has gone … is a lot of information that you should have and therefore I would like to form a team.”

Analytics has become a big part of hockey, but it still seems to be best used in baseball, which is a much more individual sport than statistics. Kyle Dubas, the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is all about analysis and has built a team that is great in the regular season but can’t win in the playoffs. The Leafs haven’t won a playoff series since 2004 and lost to the Canadiens in the first round last season, despite having a much better team on paper.

Article content

After the Canadiens trailed three games to one against the Leafs, veteran Corey Perry delivered a speech to his teammates on the importance of not missing a playoff opportunity. That seemed to inspire the team and, along with some stellar goals from Carey Price, the Canadiens were able to win three straight games against the Leafs and then win two more series before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup final.

Things have fallen apart for the Canadiens since then and they took a 6-17-3 record in Tuesday night’s game against the Lightning at the Bell Center. The Lightning, winners of the last two Stanley Cups, were 15-5-4 and also have Perry on their team.

The Canadiens have lost many of their key leaders from last season, including Price, captain Shea Weber and Phillip Danault. They decided not to name a new captain even though it appears Weber’s career ended due to injuries and he is back at home in Kelowna, BC. Lack of leadership has been one of the Canadiens’ many problems.

Article content

That is something that analytics cannot fix.

Heading into Tuesday’s game, Perry was 5-4-9 in 25 games with the Lightning after scoring two goals and adding an assist in a 7-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

“It always seems like the team he’s still on seems to have some success, and there’s a reason why,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said of Perry after that game. “A big part of what people don’t see is how he is in the room and on the bench with the guys. But then when you’re out there and you play all those tough areas, something bleeds the other players. And when you look at someone, especially their age and pedigree, and they’re still doing it, guys have no choice but to follow. “

Perry is a member of the Triple Gold Club, winning gold with Team Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, the 2016 IIHF World Championships, and the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. He also won the junior world championships. , the Memorial. Hockey World Cup and World Cup.

One of my lasting memories of the Canadiens’ playoff run last season was that Perry returned to the ice with a bloody face to celebrate with his teammates after they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime in Game 3 of their semifinal series. Perry had left for repairs earlier after receiving a high stick to the face. I am sure it is something that his former colleagues will never forget either.

Article content

When Cole Caufield was sent to AHL’s Laval Rocket this season, Perry reached out to him even though they are no longer teammates.

“Here and there we get closer and talk,” Caufield said Tuesday when asked about his continuing relationship with Perry. “It’s nothing too crazy. But a guy like that is someone I will always lean on at times like that.

“Guys like that are people you watch grow up and then all of a sudden you’re in the room next to him and it doesn’t make sense,” added Caufield. “But he’s a good guy on and off the ice and he’s someone I always look up to and will go to for advice and stuff. It’s going to be strange playing against him, but there are no friends on the ice. So maybe I’ll give it a little bit tonight. “

Caufield had a big smile on his face after that last sentence.

The Canadiens haven’t had much to smile about this season, and there’s no analysis for that either.

[email protected]

twitter.com/StuCowan1