Quoting: NHLfan10506
For a team that has one other player winning faceoffs, I don’t think that’s true. McLeod was top-10 in FO% (top-3 in d-zone FO%) all year and unless we are adding another top center, McLeod has significant value to us on that 4th line.
If limiting time in d-zone is a goal for next season, trading their d-zone face-off guy really shouldn’t be in cards.
I think this is wrong.
Faceoffs are the weakest predictor for whether a scoring chances for or against are created in that same sequence.
This is due to winning any given dzfaceoff is only worth as much as that line's ability to transition out into nz.
Having a high faceoff % without any context added to it doesn't tell you anything regarding if that player actually generates value for his team with those faceoff wins.
It may be somewhat counterintuitive but from the writings and research I've come across on the topic, as well as from what I've seen watching hockey, faceoff percentages just doesn't matter that much, if at all.
McLeod is great at faceoffs.
He is terrible at controlling the play and breaking out.
If he doesn't improve his overall play by October, Devils would be better off healthy scratching McLeod most nights.