How can the Colorado Avalanche be dead-last in the Central Division when the front offices specifically utilized analytics to augment the team? Not only did GM Joe Sakic pick up fancy stats darlings such as defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, the team even hired an analytics expert.
You could point to the inconsistencies in the Avalanche’s play. They don’t get good enough goal tending on a regular basis. They still allow too many shots on goal. The defense is shoddy, and the forwards don’t score enough.
On the other side, you consistently hear the argument that the young core is so talented.