A Long Hard Look at Shattenkirk, and A Brief Look at DeAngelo

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[text_output]Signing Kevin Shattenkirk in the offseason was something I was excited for.

Remember the potential of a Shattenkirk-Ryan McDonagh pairing?

Remember daydreaming about what we could get from him production wise with him as our power play quarterback? Something this team has been left wanting since Brian Leetch was traded away to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2003-2004 season.

We’ve been waiting for that puck moving defenseman to help us out, to drive the offense a bit more.

Now, we have to wait a bit more to get what we thought we were getting.

Let’s get this out of the way right away: signing Shattenkirk was not for his stellar defensive play. No one has claimed that he was this solid shut-down defenseman. No one said he had an edge defensively. He was brought in – on a team friendly deal, mind you – to be offensive-minded, to drive the play in the offensive zone with his own entries and to quarterback the power play.

If partnered with someone who can complement his game, Shattenkirk would’ve been the perfect guy to be paired with Ryan McDonagh. That pairing would’ve allowed both to succeed at their strengths, and both to be comfortable in their game.

Instead, we only saw a brief sample earlier in the season. We saw the brilliance of what could have been with the two of them paired together. In 5v5 situations, McDonagh-Shattenkirk were, according to Natural Stat Trick, a 53.04% Corsi for, with both driving possession well when partnered together.

Hmm, interesting. It’s almost as if the two complement each other well on the ice.

Fair being fair, they did get scored on five times (three of which were goals from high-danger situations), all while the Rangers were only able to generate two goals for (thanks again to Natural Stat Trick).

Back to the topic at hand, though.[/text_output]

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[text_output]By all means, this year has been a down year for Shattenkirk statistically. Looking at some of the advanced metrics – especially Micah Black McCurdy’s at his site, Hockey Viz – Shattenkirk’s stats have not been favorable 5v5 this year compared to his three-year average. Specifically, when you look at his 5v5 per-60 goal differential data, you see that this year he is way off his three-year average of 3.9, coming up at a paltry -9. For context, the Rangers as a team have a 4.8 5v5 goals for per-60 differential when Shattenkirk is off the ice, a huge increase of 13.9 compared to when he is on the ice. In terms of shot attempt share, the team is 0.3 shots per-60 better with Shattenkirk on the ice compared to off.

Something else that was glaring for me was the amount of high danger shots for he has given up in 5v5 situations. Comparing to the three-year data given to us at Hockey Viz again, in the 46 games Shattenkirk has played, he has been on the ice for 153 high danger shots against and has been on for 19 goals against (stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick).

Shattenkirk has been partnered with the likes of Brendan Smith, Marc Staal, and Brady Skjei more times than not, but has also seen time with Anthony DeAngelo, Steve Kampfer and Nick Holden briefly.

Shattenkirk’s worst stat line (according to Natural Stat Trick) came while he was partnered with Skjei. That duo was on the ice for 106 high danger shot chances against, while being on the ice for 11 high-danger goals against. He’s seen the most success with Smith, being on the ice for only two high danger goals against, and the least amount of chances with 17.

While Smith hasn’t had the best season and while Shattenkirk was playing injured, the two of them complemented one another well. Another defenseman that complimented Shattenkirk well? Staal, who was on the ice for just three high danger goals against, and 18 shot attempts.

With Shattenkirk out, DeAngelo has been brought in to take his place. Now, while checking out DeAngelo’s statistics, I’ve noticed similar trends in his metrics when compared to Shattenkirk’s. This means that while he may be sheltered 5v5, he’ll be mostly noticeable on the power play, something he excels in.

He, too, will be stronger with a partner that complements him and so far, he’s been paired with Smith, which hasn’t been all that smooth. The pair has been out for seven high danger shot chances against, giving up one goal.

Now, we all know that there are some problems defensively with DeAngelo, just like there are with Shattenkirk. He likes to be a little more aggressive around the puck, and likes to create chances with his speed and ability to move the puck. Let’s take a look at a chart, shall we?[/text_output]

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[text_output]Thanks again to CJ Turtoro for this data.

This data with DeAngelo in the above chart does match up with the data we saw from him during his 39-game stint with the Coyotes last season. He’s shown he can excel at either being a pass-first zone entry facilitator, or entering the offensive zone himself as shown in these two charts, courtesy of Sean Tierney:[/text_output]

[image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” target=”blank” info=”popover” info_place=”bottom” info_trigger=”hover” src=”1975″ alt=”” href=”https://public.tableau.com/profile/sean.tierney#!/” title=”” info_content=”Credit: Sean Tierney” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””]

[text_output]What these show, is that while DeAngelo has more success when carrying the puck in himself, but still manages to do a decent job when passing to get the zone entry.

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[text_output]We haven’t seen the potential of what DeAngelo can bring to the table for the Rangers. We have, however, seen it in Hartford and he’s shown the ability to do it at the NHL level in Arizona. DeAngelo can be a good replacement for Shattenkirk, if given the proper chance to shine, and if given the proper defensive partner who can allow him the liberty of doing what he wants to help generate offense for the Rangers. The team needs to rely on DeAngelo, something that may not have been the case when the season started.

Who wouldn’t love a DeAngelo pairing with McDonagh? Be the pairing partner for McDonagh some thought Shattenkirk should’ve been when the season started.

Let us all pray that during this time with Shattenkirk out, we get it. At this point, with the way the team is playing, I wouldn’t fear trying anything.[/text_output]