Branded the Summer of Analytics, last off-season gave modern hockey statistics the red-carpet treatment.
The institution was officially on board, backing the cause by hiring its greatest minds and, in turn, creating boatloads of positive publicity for the statistical revolution.
As the 2015-16 NHL season sets to launch Wednesday, however, there’s a different feel to it all. To borrow an industry term, the buzz surrounding advanced stats has regressed to the mean.
Analytics have become part of the everyday conversation in front offices around the league and continues to grow as a cottage industry away from the rink.