Page 55 of Play to Win

“Sure.”I nod, taking a few seconds to collect my thoughts.“So.This franchise has had a rough time the last few years.We need to change that around.We need to be a winning franchise.It’s good for the community, it’s good for the state, and it’s good for the sport.Hockey’s growing in popularity here in California, but it’s important that we have a team we can be proud of.It’s important to our fans, our organization ...and it’s important to me.I’m excited to be part of this.”

Joe and Grandpa nod.

“I’m not one to make snap decisions,” I say, although Grandpa knows this.“I plan to do a lot of analysis.Watch a lot of video.Run a lot of numbers.”

“We already run a lot of numbers,” Joe says.

Was that defensiveness?I eye him, keeping my expression neutral.“Great.I’m glad you’re on board with that.”

He starts talking about Corsi scores, and I hold up a hand.“I know Corsi used to be important, before we had a lot of other analytics, but I’ve found there are other stats that give us better information.”

“Such as?”

“Such as, scoring chances.Scoring chances factor in shot quality.”

Joe frowns.

“Scoring chances give us more insight into which teams are playing better thanCorsi does.And they can also be used for more in-depth player valuation.Take Wyatt Bell, for example.He took only a hundred eighty shot attempts, but most of those have been scoring chances—like eighty-one percent.”The numbers roll easily off my tongue; numbers have always stayed in my brain.“And more than half come from the slot or the crease.”

“Uh-huh.”His eyes narrow.“So you’re saying we should judge players solely on their ability to produce and prevent scoring chances.”

“Of course not, but it does give us much more quality information than Corsi does.You as a coach obviously want your players to create scoring chances, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Especially high-quality chances in the slot or crease, as opposed to unsuccessful attempts from the blue line.But those count in the Corsi metric, which makes it less effective.”

Joe doesn’t look convinced but he shuts up.I feel like I need to take a stand here so he knows who’s in charge, just like Grandpa, but also like Grandpa, he doesn’t look happy about it.

I swallow a sigh.“I also plan to talk to a lot of people, including you, Joe.”

He nods.

“Everyone here in the front office.The players, although I’ve talked to them already.The scouts.The draft is coming up in June, and we need to be ready to make some decisions.We have thirteen guys with contracts coming up.We need a plan to deal with that.Who we want to keep.Who we don’t want to keep.And how we keep guys here that might be interested in jumping to a different team.”I wait a beat.“A winning team.”

“They’re tired of losing,” Grandpa says gruffly.“I don’t blame them.”

“You going to make a lot of changes?”Joe asks.

“I don’t know yet.Change is hard.I think we’re going to have to do some things differently, though.Maybe pursue some avenues that are less traditional than others.But we need to do the right things.”

“Rebuild,” Grandpa says with a sigh.“You’re going to tell me draft and develop, aren’t you?”

I smile.“Probably, yeah.There’s no magic bean that’s going to make us Stanley Cup champs next year.”

“I know.But Christ, I’m seventy-two years old.I don’t have a lot of time left.”

“You have lots of years ahead of you,” I assure him, even though I feel that pang again.“But I know what you mean.And even if our plan is to build slowly through drafting and development, I know we have to balance that with our needs right now.”When the rules on the ice and on the business side of NHL operations changed in 2005, player development became even more important.With the salary cap, young players with entry-level contracts are now a key to success.

“That’s why you get paid the big bucks,” Joe jokes.

I do get paid big bucks.But I’m worth it.

Our meeting continues until nearly noon.Grandpa offers to take me for lunch, but I’d rather eat a sandwich at my desk and keep working.

Halfway through my turkey and avocado on sourdough, someone knocks on my open door.I look up see Everly, my aunt.Everly’s about a year younger than me.I know, it’s weird.

“Hey!”She smiles tentatively.“I just came to say welcome.”

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