Just as it can be tricky to measure defensive impact with statistics, it can be tricky to evaluate it in a more traditional way. The mistake that one player makes is often a product of other players’ errors. Corsica Hockey’s Defensive Wins Above Replacement (DWAR) is a measure of defensive value from shot rates (Corsi), shot quality (expected goals), penalty differential (drawn versus taken), and zonal transitions.
Kotkaniemi’s DWAR is 0.57, the highest on the Canadiens and second in the entire NHL. The impressive result is largely driven by Kotkaniemi’s shot suppression (Corsi against per 60 minutes of ice time), which is 47.5, the best on the Canadiens and top-30 in the NHL. His shot suppression is matched with impressive shot generation, giving him a teammate-relative shot share of 8.34 percent. Which essentially shows that in Kotkaniemi’s limited role, he has been one of the team’s best players at limiting shots against while racking up shots for.
Kotkaniemi doesn’t just contain the opposition, he makes plays. He breaks up the opposition’s attack, prevents shots, and returns possession to his team.
