In evaluating performance, I tend to get lost in deep-dive research. I do find a lot of relevant statistical information by going under the surface for stats, and that can be informative and valuable. But there is a downside. At times I’m guilty of making things too...
As many of you know, I’m a numbers nerd. A stat geek. A hopeless analytics addict. If I had a nickname, it would be “Metric” Miklasz. And at times all of this data is just a little boring, even for me. There’s truth and value in the process that determines – pardon...
The Blues are a resurgent 11-6-1 since sacking coach Craig Berube after a loss to Detroit on Dec. 12. We should hold off before portraying interim coach Drew Bannister as the new Scotty Bowman, but the Blues are better since the change. Under Berube the Blues were...
BERNIE BITS Predictions for 2024 I will turn 65 on Feb. 15. I will write many words and stress my voice by hollering for hours and hours on the radio. I will subscribe to too many sports-data sites. I will not watch the NBA until the postseason gets underway. I will...
BERNIE BITS Hitting some fungoes while patiently waiting for the Cardinals to sign or otherwise acquire a couple of relievers to upgrade their bullpen … Five things jump out about the Blues since Drew Bannister took over as interim coach after the sacking of Craig...
Robert Thomas has been a Blue for so long, it’s easy to forget that he’s still only 24 years old. He was a mere lad of 19 when the Blues won the Stanley Cup in ‘19, getting his name engraved on the chalice in his first NHL season. That’s special considering the vast...
BERNIE BITS! Interim coach Drew Bannister was behind the bench for two consecutive wins after taking over for the ousted Craig Berube. It was a nice restart for the Blues but nothing unusual. Teams often get an immediate bounce after changing coaches. Bannister...
NHL coaches come and go so often, teams should keep a UPS truck parked outside the arena, waiting to haul the discarded gaffer to the recycling plant. There’s an old saying: coaches are hired to be fired. In the NHL, coaches are fired so they can be fired again at...
BLUE NOTES The bizarro Blues did it again on Thursday night. The circuitry in their on/off switch went crazy. On, off. On, off. On, off. Inspired hockey, followed by Insipid hockey. Leads taken, leads blown. The Blues show determination, then no-show and disappear....