When Bob Murdoch coached in the NHL and in Europe the only stat he cared about was the decisions players make when they get the puck. If they made a play or gained a zone when the play wasn't possible they got a plus and a minus when they game the puck away in a dangerous area. A 5% swing is the difference between losing a winning.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20080727015524128 is the video on this site where he is a guest lecturer in my college coaching class. He talks about a lot of things worth listening to and one of these is the importance of this stat on decisions with the puck.
Stewart Behie made a computer program that tracked decisions and we used it at the U of Calgary. I will have to watch the video again to remember the % and their significance.
Thanks Dave and Tom!
Dave, I looked at the video and it was interesting. I looked at a couple other of his videos and I think he has some great ideas. Let me know if you continue to learn from the $2 blog fee and there is new information and not just further explanation, I will also buy a couple.
Tom,
That seems on par with what I was thinking it meant. Tracking positive plays with the puck for individual players. I remember watching the video a couple times a couple years ago but I should probably revisit it. Thanks again.