We give an overview of how data visualization, analysis, and optimization can be used within the National Hockey League, and in the sports industry in general, in a variety of different contexts.
We discuss how analytics can be used to assist a team’s front office, coaching staff, and scouting department when they make personnel or coaching decisions. We also discuss the kinds of data and optimization problems we encounter on the business side of the organization in departments like sales and marketing. Finally, we present an example of how optimization techniques can be used at the league level to help make decisions about realignment.