You’re, sadly, probably used to folks at FanGraphs or other outlets predicting how bad the Cubs are going to be as they’ve torn down the core and started over. But baseball isn’t the only sport where fans can take analytics-driven predictions for a spin.
Before free agency officially opens on Wednesday, one analytics model predicts the Blackhawks to be a very successful team this year. And by “successful,” we mean “successfully positioning themselves to have a great chance at drafting Connor Bedard,” of course.
Only two teams in the NHL are predicted to finish with fewer than 70 points in this model, and both are in the Central Division. The Coyotes and Blackhawks might have to find ways to tie their season series to make it interesting at the finish line for who has the worst record — and best chances at next year’s No. 1 pick in the draft lottery.
If you don’t follow JFresh on Twitter already, you should. He does great work and explains his predictive analytics well.