Best of luck Chrissy! Image property of Chirssy Parente

For some of us writing for a website such as The Rat Trick,  is about the fun and passion we have for that sport, or because we have something to say.  However there are a few writers who have other aspirations in addition to those feelings, and that’s what today’s muse is about.  As the editor of this site, I am extremely proud to say (but sad as well) that one of our own, Chrissy Parente will be leaving our site to begin an internship with the Florida Panthers!

Chrissy is a student at Florida Atlantic University, studying multimedia journalism, and taking this internship will certainly help her as she pursues that career.  She is a huge Florida Panther fan, who’s favourite player happens to be defenceman Erik Gudbranson.  Her knowledge as well as perspective of the game has been well known around here.  And has been much appreciated.

I knew she was a talented writer when her first article (click here) appeared on our site back in March of this season. I think that was a pretty clever title.  She brought a fun perspective to our domain, and always expressed herself both passionately and smartly.  No wonder the Panthers scouped her up when she applied for the position.  She also deserves the credit for giving me the idea of my posts that have appeared here periodically called, “What’s In A Number”.

What this “promotion” means however is that we are losing one of our teammates.  Despite that, I am very proud to have had her on our staff, and to have known her in the short time she was with us.  Her humor, quick wit, and passion will be missed, but we know that she must accept this new challenge, and that she will do very well in it.  I also want to thank for Florida Panthers as well for giving her this fantastic opportunity.

I know I speak for all The Rat Trick staff when I say this, “best of luck Chrissy”!  We will miss your writing, but we know you won’t be a stranger as we look forward to seeing you at the games!

Thanks for reading.  We welcome your comments and opinions.

Follow the Rat Pack on Twitter: me @TheRatTrick , David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Josh Luecht@joshluecht, Patrick McLaughlin @PatrickRattrick3, Scott Mullin @GreatScottsman, David Rodriguez @davidbub_2, Paige Lewis @RatTrickLewiz Gabby Kiger @gabbykiger, Adam Reid@AdamReid Chrissy Parente @chrissaay44, Justen Rosenberg @justenrosenberg, and Kris Eberwein @RatTrickKris. Also, please join our Facebook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.

Feb 28, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) looks on from the bench during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. The Panthers beat the Maple Leafs 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

Erik Gudbranson‘s rookie season was considered a success by many: he managed to hold on to a roster spot for most of the year, he showed glimpses of his fantastic potential on defense, he was fine in the offensive zone, and he turned into one of the best fighters in the NHL.  For a 19 to 20-year old, his performance was right about where most people would’ve liked it.

Others weren’t as pleased.  Statistically, they said Gudbranson was the weakest defenseman on the team, did not outplay Keaton Ellerby, and should even start the next season in the AHL to tune things up.  Although a few numbers and statistics were provided to prove this, there are quite a few more to suggest that Gudbranson is turning quickly into a top flight NHL defenseman.

First, let’s looks at Corsi, what was used to suggest that Gudbranson was a liability on defense.  (Corsi by the way is the average +/- of shots attempted while a player is on the ice for 60 minutes)…

Relative to his teammates and quality of his competition, Gudbranson gave up a little less than a shot (-.991) more per 60 minutes than his team took while he was on the ice.  Not great, but for a rookie that’s not all that bad either.  He stayed pretty close to average in that category, receiving only a little more shots than his team.  And considering he started with faceoffs in the offensive zone about half of the time (51.1%), that isn’t all that bad either.  So let’s recap: Erik Gudbranson had almost as many shots shot at his net as his teammates shot towards the other team’s net, and he played about equally in the offensive and defensive zones all year.  Despite all the negative signs and comparisons with his teammates, Gudbranson’s performance was pretty close to the mean.

What isn’t close to the mean is the most telling stat of all, which has been ignored to this point.  It is Erik Gudbranson’s PDO, the sum of the opposition’s shooting percentage and your goalie’s save percentage while you’re on the ice.  It is driven mostly by luck (since scoring a goal is very often luck coupled with talent) and the stat shows that Gudbranson really had no luck last year.  His PDO last year was 970, a very low number.  It shows that his goalie didn’t save as many shots as the average suggested he should have, and that unfortunately means a poor plus/minus for Gudbranson.  However, he inventors of the statistic are quick to say the stat should almost always return to the mean (1000) in the long run, so that bodes well for Gudbranson having a strong season next year.

But don’t forget how much Gudbranson was sheltered in the few months of the season, and how much he has improved over that time.  Coach Kevin Dineen saw it, and it was telling by Gudbranson’s ice time in the postseason.  It got a big jump, from 13:25 to 14:59, even as guys like Brian Campbell sucked up 30 minutes of ice time.  Even more telling than solely ice time is the confidence Dineen had in Gudbranson against the Devils: Gudbranson started his shifts in the defensive zone about 59.8 percent of the time, proving Dineen had faith in Gudbranson’s defensive ability.  Certainly by the end of the season, Guds was no longer being sheltered – he was being thrown right in the thick of it.

So if you only look at a few statistics, Gudbranson might have had a disappointing year.  But as the season progressed and Gudbranson began taking on new roles, he made some great improvements, both on the ice and the stat sheet.

But more than anything I like it when the hockey people like what they see from a guy.  Dale Tallon had this to say about Gudbranson at the end of the playoffs last year:

“We saw this young guy develop into a man right before our eyes.  He got better and better, and am so glad we kept him through World Juniors [in December].  He had a great finish to the year.  I thought in the playoffs he didn’t take a back seat to anyone.”

With Kevin Dineen and Dale Tallon both firmly in support of Erik Gudbranson, certainly next year we will see him develop into a great defenseman on the NHL level.

Thanks for reading!  Be sure to comment!

Follow the Rat Pack on Twitter: me @GreatScottsman, Frank Rekas @TheRatTrick, David Lasseter@davidlasseter, Josh Luecht @joshluecht, Patrick McLaughlin @PatrickRattrick, Gabrielle Kiger@gabbykiger, Paige Lewis @RattrickLewiz, Chrissy Parente @chrissaay44, Adam Reid@adamreid_,David Rodriguez @davidbub_2, and Justin Rosenberg @justinrosenberg.  Also, please joinour Facebook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and make some comments.

Oct 15, 2011: Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski (55) and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Steve Downie (9) during the second period at the BankAtlantic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

With the first pick in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers select defencemen, Ed Jovanovksi. Before being drafted by the Panthers, Jovanovski played his major junior hockey for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. While in the OHL, Jovanovski quickly made a name for himself, scoring 50 points in his first year and 65 in his second season. In the two seasons spent in the OHL, Jova was able to capture a spot on the all-rookie first team; first team all-star’s and second team all-star. After an impressive two years, the Panthers knew they had to have him.

In his first season with the Panthers, Jovanovski was voted onto the all-rookie team and was a runner up for the rookie of the year trophy. Jovanovski was just what the Panthers needed, a player who was able to help contribute on the offense while also playing great defense. He also didn’t take anything from anyone. In fact, during the preseason of his rookie year, Jovanovski broke his hand in a fight, causing him to miss the first eleven games of the regular season. During his first tenure with the Panthers, Jovanovski continuously received suspensions from the NHL for fighting. He also missed several games due to injuries. Mid-way through the 99’ season Jovanovski was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in a seven player deal that sent Hall of Famer Pavel Bure to the Panthers.

Soon after being traded from the Panthers, Jovanovski established himself as an elite defender in the league. For three straight seasons Jovanovski won the Babe Pratt Trophy, which is awarded each year to the Canucks best defender. Not only was he awarded this trophy three straight seasons, but Jovanovski also appeared in three All-Star games while playing for Vancouver. Unfortunately for Jovanovski his time as a Canucks would end after the team decided to not offer him a new contract after the 05-06’ season.

The team that was lucky enough to sign Ed was the Phoenix Coyotes. In his five years with Phoenix Jovanovski was able to make two more All-Star appearances. However, his time in Phoenix wasn’t always the best. Season after season, Jovanovski was constantly battling a variety of injuries. When his contract was up, the Coyotes decided not to resign the veteran defender.

Yet again, Jovanovski was unwanted by a team and looking for work. Despite his increasing age, numerous injuries, and low production on the ice, Jovanovski found a new team and it didn’t take long. The team that decided to take a chance on Jovanovski was none other than the Florida Panthers. The kid returned to the team that drafted him as a man and a player that could help groom some of that younger talent. Although last season Jovanovski’s statistics weren’t anything to rave about, his presence on the ice was worth every penny the Cats spent on him. Last season Jovanovski took rookie defender Erik Gudbranson under his wing as the two were constantly matched up together on the blue line.

April 24, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) and right wing Kris Versteeg (32) celebrate Versteeg

This year it’s a little different. Many are speculating that Jovanovski is done and this could very well be it for him. Yes, he is on the downside of his career, there is no denying that, but Jovanovski has plenty left in the tank coming into this season. Last year Jovanovski averaged 16 minutes and 42 seconds on the ice per game. This year, that time might have to be cut down a little bit. However, if the Panthers could get 12-14 minutes per game out of Jovanovski, they would be getting a whole lot. He might not be the aggressor that he used to be, but he is now also a lot more mature. His knowledge of the game is through the roof. While he is out on the ice this season, don’t look for him to have a huge year scoring wise, because let’s face it, that’s not who he is anymore. This year will be another year of Jovanovski helping out the younger guys, while also giving the Panthers good minutes. The experience and knowledge of the game that he possesses is invaluable. Next season it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Jovanovski scores about the same amount of points he did last season, right around the 10-12 mark.

This season should be a good one to Jovanovski as he can continue to spread his knowledge of the game throughout the locker room while still having the chance to be a big contributor for the Panthers.

Thanks For Reading!

Want More Hockey News? Follow The Rat Pack on Twitter! Me: @justenrosenberg, Frank Rekas: @TheRatTrick Josh Luecht: @joshluecht, Patrick McLaughlin: @PatrickRattrick, Scott Mullin: @GreatScottsman, David Rodriguez: @davidbub_2, Paige Lewis: @peejlewiz, Adam Reid: @AdamReid_, Gabby Kiger: @gabbykiger, Chrissy Parente: @Chrissaay44, and Amanda Land: @HockeyGirl2530. Also, please visit our Facebook Fan Page and like us! Share comments, photos, anything Panthers related!