In Defense of Raffi Torres
by Jonathan Willis on Jun 11, 2008 5:44 PM MDT
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When the rumour mill churns out a name other than Jarret Stoll or Joni Pitkanen, it's usually Raffi Torres. A player widely disparaged (see here for one particularly repugnant example) by hockey commentators and bloggers alike, the general consensus seems to be that he not only isn't worth his contract, but that he won't help the Edmonton Oilers win hockey games.
Everyone who agrees with that consensus should consider my arguments below, because I think you are completely wrong.
Take, for instance, 2006-07. Torres played the toughest minutes of any forward not named Fernando. When he was on the ice, the Oilers averaged 2.50 goals for per game, while surrendering 2.86 goals against. When he was off the ice, the Oilers scored 1.99 and allowed 2.96. Let me rephrase that:
1) Raffi Torres played against the other teams' best opponents
2) Despite this, the Oilers scored more goals
3) Additionally, the Oilers allowed fewer goals
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Raffi Torres improved the Edmonton Oilers in 2006-07, despite only scoring 15 goals against the best players in the NHL. Somehow, Torres ranked only 8th among regular forwards in average ice time per game (14:19) behind such luminaries as Petr Nedved and Joffrey Lupul. He also ranked 8th in powerplay icetime, providing no gravy minutes for him to inflate his statistics (Note: While a historically poor powerplay option, Torres still, like virtually every player in the NHL, scored more points/60 on the powerplay than 5-on-5). Additionally, after two seasons with more than 14% shot accuracy, Torres slipped to 9.7% and still performed well. That isn't all either; Torres also led the team in hits.
Let's ignore 2006-07, than, and focus on this past season, when Torres went down 32 games in. As we can see, yet again Torres played against top opponents (albeit not as difficult as 06-07; in 07-08 Torres ranked 5th among regular Oilers forwards in difficulty of opposition). When Torres was on the ice, the Oilers scored 2.04 goals/60, and allowed 2.31 goals/60; a smaller gap than the year prior (on the whole, the Oilers scored 2.5 goals/game and allowed 2.9- a ratio worse than that of Torres). This, despite being on pace for a career low 13 goals. This, despite firing a team- and career-low 5.7% shot percentage. Yet again, Torres was a physical force; his totals over 32 games prorate to 141 hits over an 82-game schedule. Yet again, that would have led all Oilers forwards. Torres was also on pace for 223 shots- another total that would have led the Oilers.
All things considered, the past two years, Raffi Torres may not have been a goal scorer, but he has been an extremely effective hockey player against some of the best in the NHL. People think of him as a failure if he doesn't score goals, but in doing so they procede from a false assumption- for the past two years, Torres has been deployed in a checking role, and he has done it well.
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It's not those tools that make me hate Raffi Torres as a player. It's the fact that he's as inconsistent a player as the NHL has seen. And when he gets into a slump, he looks like he wants to commit suicide, not only in his play on the ice, but in interviews as well. Now, I can understand inconsistancy is something that can befall young NHLers, but this guy's no rookie. He's regressed the last 3 straight years in goals (I'm averaging his goals this year to an 82 game schedule and I would argue tooth and nail that Torres wouldn't have even hit that total), but more importantly he's regressed the past 4 seasons in an important category for "tough minute" players; +/-.
You mention his prowess as a hitter. I'll bring up his budding reputation as a dirty hitter. One who preys on opposition already in vulnerable positions. I refer you to the Milan Michalek hit in the playoffs, and the Jason Williams hit. Most fans like to bitch and complain about Hemsky getting Regher'd, but is Robyn really any worse than our own Torres? It's also been a while since I've seen him stick up for teammates in the way this team dearly needs. If we're not careful, Raffi is going to go all Matt Cooke on our asses. And I don't want to support that.
Couple that with his hugely inflated salary, which isn't his fault but still must play into the equation, and you have the condensed version of my rant about why I can't stand Raffi Torres.
You mention his prowess as a hitter. I'll bring up his budding reputation as a dirty hitter. One who preys on opposition already in vulnerable positions. I refer you to the Milan Michalek hit in the playoffs, and the Jason Williams hit. Most fans like to bitch and complain about Hemsky getting Regher'd, but is Robyn really any worse than our own Torres? It's also been a while since I've seen him stick up for teammates in the way this team dearly needs. If we're not careful, Raffi is going to go all Matt Cooke on our asses. And I don't want to support that.
Couple that with his hugely inflated salary, which isn't his fault but still must play into the equation, and you have the condensed version of my rant about why I can't stand Raffi Torres.
by doritogrande on Jun 11, 2008 7:17 PM MDT reply actions
It's the fact that he's as inconsistent a player as the NHL has seen. And when he gets into a slump, he looks like he wants to commit suicide, not only in his play on the ice, but in interviews as well.
I agree, but when he’s on he’s amazing. I think the two balance out.
He's regressed the last 3 straight years in goals (I'm averaging his goals this year to an 82 game schedule and I would argue tooth and nail that Torres wouldn't have even hit that total), but more importantly he's regressed the past 4 seasons in an important category for "tough minute" players; +/-.
Yes, his +/- has not been good if we consider it as a stand-alone statistic, but I would argue that when the coaching staff matches Torres up against other teams’ top lines, they aren’t actually expecting Torres to out-produce his opponents, or for his line to outscore them, but simply not get beat up on as badly as the Hemsky/Horcoff line beats up on opposing checkers. A -.3G/60 goal differential seems adequate to me.
I'll bring up his budding reputation as a dirty hitter. One who preys on opposition already in vulnerable positions. I refer you to the Milan Michalek hit in the playoffs, and the Jason Williams hit.
Here is the Michalek hit and here is the Williams hit. I’d argue that while the Michalek hit was a little late, the Williams hit was completely legitimate and simply unfortunate. If I recall correctly, neither hit was penalized, and no suspension came down afterward, so it would appear that the league office feels the checks were both legal. Scott Stevens had the same reputation, and without getting into a polarizing debate, I think people generally have mixed feelings about such plays. I think that until the league steps in and outlaws hits to the head, it isn’t right to use legal hits against the players who execute them.
I agree, but when he’s on he’s amazing. I think the two balance out.
He's regressed the last 3 straight years in goals (I'm averaging his goals this year to an 82 game schedule and I would argue tooth and nail that Torres wouldn't have even hit that total), but more importantly he's regressed the past 4 seasons in an important category for "tough minute" players; +/-.
Yes, his +/- has not been good if we consider it as a stand-alone statistic, but I would argue that when the coaching staff matches Torres up against other teams’ top lines, they aren’t actually expecting Torres to out-produce his opponents, or for his line to outscore them, but simply not get beat up on as badly as the Hemsky/Horcoff line beats up on opposing checkers. A -.3G/60 goal differential seems adequate to me.
I'll bring up his budding reputation as a dirty hitter. One who preys on opposition already in vulnerable positions. I refer you to the Milan Michalek hit in the playoffs, and the Jason Williams hit.
Here is the Michalek hit and here is the Williams hit. I’d argue that while the Michalek hit was a little late, the Williams hit was completely legitimate and simply unfortunate. If I recall correctly, neither hit was penalized, and no suspension came down afterward, so it would appear that the league office feels the checks were both legal. Scott Stevens had the same reputation, and without getting into a polarizing debate, I think people generally have mixed feelings about such plays. I think that until the league steps in and outlaws hits to the head, it isn’t right to use legal hits against the players who execute them.
by Jonathan Willis on Jun 11, 2008 9:17 PM MDT reply actions
He has failed in all his attempts thus far at playing in the top 2 lines with skilled players. However, with a responsible centermen and/or winger he can still play a very effective game. He is more of a forchecker/hitter who relies on the counter attack. His hitting ability causes a lot of turnovers if his line mates are smart/quick enough to read the play. I'd like to see 14-51-34 on a line.
by Sean on Jun 12, 2008 10:59 AM MDT reply actions
I'd like to see 14-51-34 on a line.
Not me. Brodziak got killed 5-on-5 this year, and he wasn't playing tough minutes. I think it will be a couple of years before he's ready for checking line duty.
Not me. Brodziak got killed 5-on-5 this year, and he wasn't playing tough minutes. I think it will be a couple of years before he's ready for checking line duty.
by Jonathan Willis on Jun 12, 2008 11:26 AM MDT reply actions
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