Hockey analysts tends to come in varying degrees of predictable flavors. There are insiders reporting what hockey authorities have to say, the general commentary typically associated with broadcasting, and the tunnel vision of nerdonauts like me staring at numbers — instead of watching the games obviously — to unpack team performance.
Even within that diverse milieu, Jack Han stands alone. And not just because he’s worked with an NHL team before, but because tactics and strategy is a blindspot in hockey analysis. Because of that, he’s one of hockey’s most essential follows.
0:00-1:08. What Dallas does differently than other teams.
1:08-3:22. Matt Duchene’s impact.
4:21-6:17. Dallas’ exploitable weakspot.
6:17-7:23. Dallas’ leveragable strengths over the West.
7:23-11:02. The contradiction of Dallas’ non-elite blueline and elite defensive metrics.
11:02-14:02. Roope Hintz. Top center?
14:02-18:13. Jason Robertson’s odd year.
18:13-20:29. Thomas Harley: elite.
20:29-22:24. Trade deadline.
His latest book, Hockey Tactics 2024, is worth your time and your money if you’re a hockey nerd. As is his Substack. Be sure to subscribe!
Stars Stackcast: An interview with Jack Han