What Is Plus-Minus In Hockey?
In hockey, plus-minus is a stat calculated by taking into account the number of goals scored while the player is on the ice and subtracting the number of goals scored against the player’s team while he is on the ice. The resulting number is said to be the player’s plus-minus rating.
Example of Plus-Minus
For example, a player with a plus-minus rating of +5 has been on the ice for five more goals scored by his team than goals scored against his team. Meanwhile, a player with a rating of -5 has been on the ice for five more goals scored against his team than goals scored by his team. And a player with a rating of 0 has been on the ice for an equal number of goals scored by his team and goals scored against his team.
Plus-minus is generally considered a good measure of a player’s defensive ability, as it considers both the number of goals he prevents his team from conceding and the number of goals he helps his team to score. It is also worth noting that because it is a team stat, a player’s plus-minus rating can be affected positively or negatively by the performance of his teammates.
Is Plus Minus a Good Stat To Measure Player Performance?
As I said above, It can help assess players’ defensive abilities and how well they help their team prevent goals. However, it is important to remember that this stat can be influenced by factors beyond a player’s control, such as the overall quality of their team’s defense or the forwards they are playing with.
Plus-minus can also be somewhat volatile from year to year, so it is important not to put too much weight on this stat when making decisions about a player’s value. So while plus-minus can be a helpful tool in evaluating hockey players, it is important to remember that it is just one piece of the puzzle and should not be used as the sole determinant of a player’s worth.
Other Stats That Measure a Hockey Players’ Performance
There are a variety of statistics that can be used to measure hockey player performance. Some common ones include goals, assists, points, and ice time. Each state has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the right one(s) for the specific situation.
Goals: Perhaps the most straightforward stat, as they measure how many times a player has scored. However, they don’t consider other important aspects of their game, such as playmaking or defense. Assists give some credit to players who set goals, but this statistic doesn’t capture other important facets of the game.
Points: Combine goals and assists into one number, which gives a more well-rounded picture of a player’s offensive production. However, it’s worth noting that some players are better at racking up assists than goals (and vice versa), so this stat isn’t perfect either.
Ice Time: Simply how much time a player spends on the ice during a game. This stat can be useful for seeing which players are being relied upon more heavily by their team, but it doesn’t necessarily tell us how effective they are while they’re on the ice.
Conclusion
The plus-minus stat has been a part of hockey for a long time, but it is not without its critics. Some believe that the stat does not accurately reflect a player’s performance on the ice, while others believe it is an important tool for evaluating players. The truth probably lies somewhere in between.
However, one thing is certain: the plus-minus stat is here to stay and will continue to be used by coaches and scouts as they evaluate players.
