Skewed 'Game Ratings'

deknegt · 10-22-2015, 03:27 PM

So i'm in my fourth season with the Flyers, and I think I have seen a pretty good pattern emerging when it comes to defenders and their game ratings.

As far as they go, Game Ratings aren't representative of a defender's ability to be a good defender, more as an indicator if he's a good/great offensive defender.

I've got players like Del Zotto and Letang who get a lot of assists and provide great offensive sparks on defense, but neither are what you call great defensive defenders.

Now I got Devante Stephens over on a trade, and he's pretty much an amazing defensive player despite having only 4 potential. Most defensive skills are over 15 barring faceoffs and positioning (14). Stickchecking even has 21!

And it shows in his games, he gets blocks, hits, and plenty of take-aways. But because he's not a premier passer/shooter, his NHL career GR over 184 games is a measly 65.

Letang on the other hand's lowest season average was 83! and MDZ's is 78.

Now I got a team that's an offensive powerhouse and who are defensively lacking, because i've been a fool to only go with Game Ratings all this time expecting i'd get defensive stars in return.

So yeah, Game Ratings are a bit skewed towards point scorers be they assists or goals. Naturally players can still get 80+ ratings without scoring, but it's been obvious that such occurences only happen when players have extraordinary performances on defense or non-scoring offense.

JeffR · 10-22-2015, 04:06 PM

Bear in mind that the GR is evaluating how well the player is doing relative to his assigned role. If the offensive defencemen are putting up points, that's what they're supposed to be doing, and defensive lapses won't hurt their GR as much as they would a stay-at-home guy. If Stephens isn't assigned to a checking role, the defensive stats aren't going to have as much of an impact on his GR.

deknegt · 10-22-2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffR

Bear in mind that the GR is evaluating how well the player is doing relative to his assigned role. If the offensive defencemen are putting up points, that's what they're supposed to be doing, and defensive lapses won't hurt their GR as much as they would a stay-at-home guy. If Stephens isn't assigned to a checking role, the defensive stats aren't going to have as much of an impact on his GR.

That makes sense in a way. Do major roles have any effect on their actual performances? Like does a defensive defender stay back more (and score less) even if he has good offensive skills?

I know lots of players get pissy if you don't use them in the roles they want, but I wonder if it also has effect on their actual playing style. It would explain why my defensive game is a bit shoddy due to having 4 offensive defenders (who don't want to go two-way)

JeffR · 10-23-2015, 12:45 AM

Not on their playing style directly, but they will affect the way the AI assigns them to lines, and their tactical instructions for their lineup spot will affect the way they play.

tarashnat · 10-23-2015, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffR

Not on their playing style directly, but they will affect the way the AI assigns them to lines, and their tactical instructions for their lineup spot will affect the way they play.

Would a high level explanation of GR and its effects in game be a useful addition to the manual?

10-22-2015, 03:27 PM	#1
deknegt Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 36	Skewed 'Game Ratings' So i'm in my fourth season with the Flyers, and I think I have seen a pretty good pattern emerging when it comes to defenders and their game ratings. As far as they go, Game Ratings aren't representative of a defender's ability to be a good defender, more as an indicator if he's a good/great offensive defender. I've got players like Del Zotto and Letang who get a lot of assists and provide great offensive sparks on defense, but neither are what you call great defensive defenders. Now I got Devante Stephens over on a trade, and he's pretty much an amazing defensive player despite having only 4 potential. Most defensive skills are over 15 barring faceoffs and positioning (14). Stickchecking even has 21! And it shows in his games, he gets blocks, hits, and plenty of take-aways. But because he's not a premier passer/shooter, his NHL career GR over 184 games is a measly 65. Letang on the other hand's lowest season average was 83! and MDZ's is 78. Now I got a team that's an offensive powerhouse and who are defensively lacking, because i've been a fool to only go with Game Ratings all this time expecting i'd get defensive stars in return. So yeah, Game Ratings are a bit skewed towards point scorers be they assists or goals. Naturally players can still get 80+ ratings without scoring, but it's been obvious that such occurences only happen when players have extraordinary performances on defense or non-scoring offense.

10-22-2015, 04:06 PM	#2
JeffR FHM Producer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 17,432	Bear in mind that the GR is evaluating how well the player is doing relative to his assigned role. If the offensive defencemen are putting up points, that's what they're supposed to be doing, and defensive lapses won't hurt their GR as much as they would a stay-at-home guy. If Stephens isn't assigned to a checking role, the defensive stats aren't going to have as much of an impact on his GR.

10-23-2015, 12:45 AM	#4
JeffR FHM Producer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 17,432	Not on their playing style directly, but they will affect the way the AI assigns them to lines, and their tactical instructions for their lineup spot will affect the way they play.