In terms of how we percieve the value of Cunter vs. Jamie I think one of the biggest differences is that Jamie had the opportunity to struggle at the NHL level and Cunter is still in the prospect bubble.

Quick question(s): Is it even possible for defense metrics to capture an individual player’s ability without the noise of team effects? It seems that most of the data for defense is so team system/process dependent. Further, are there any examples of ‘defensive’ defenseman we know to be ‘good’ having good/elite numbers on terrible teams?

Excellent insight. Interesting that the individual advanced stats, controlled zone entry success and zone entry defense are good. But the expected goal stat is poor. Would love to see more detail about how some of these advanced individual stats are impacted by team effects. My issue on the use of expected goals for individuals is that it really underplays the impact that the teams defensive approach and any specific 5 man unit has on a players expected goal stat. Is the player pulling the group down or is the group pulling the player down? If someone is dominant on expected goals but isn’t really out scoring the opposition at 5 on 5, what does that say about their defensive effort when they don’t have the puck? How does that get measured? The advanced stats are really interesting and valuable but there is so much more color that needs to be factored in. It’s unlike baseball’s advanced stats where in reality it is easier to analyze an individuals performance with all the extra detail data. Fewer team effects to consider.