If you have ever watched an NHL game and wondered what the plus and minus numbers next to a player’s name mean, you are not alone. The plus-minus statistic is one of hockey’s most discussed metrics, yet many fans find it confusing at first. This guide will explain exactly what plus minus means in hockey, how it works, and why it remains controversial despite decades of use in the league.
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What Does Plus-Minus Mean in Hockey?
Plus-minus (written as +/− or ±) is a hockey statistic that measures a player’s goal differential when they are on the ice. It calculates the difference between the number of goals their team scores and the number of goals the opposing team scores while that specific player is playing. A positive plus-minus means a player was on the ice for more goals for than against. A negative plus-minus means the opposite occurred.
The statistic was designed to evaluate a player’s two-way performance, meaning how well they contribute both offensively and defensively. When someone asks “what does plus minus mean in hockey,” the simplest answer is: it shows whether a player tends to be on the ice for more goals scored by their team or more goals scored by their opponents.
How Plus-Minus Is Calculated In 2026?
Calculating plus-minus follows a straightforward rule that has remained consistent since the NHL made it official in the 1967-68 season. Here is how it works:
- When your team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal while you are on the ice, you receive a +1.
- When the opposing team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal while you are on the ice, you receive a -1.
- These points accumulate throughout the season and career.
For example, if defenseman Erik Karlsson finishes a game with a +3 rating, it means his team outscored opponents 3-0 in the goals that occurred while he was on the ice. This does not necessarily mean he scored three points. He could have been on the ice for any combination of goals that resulted in that differential.
Step-by-Step Calculation Breakdown
To break it down further, consider a hypothetical 60-minute game where a player sees ice time in three different situations. First, during a 5-on-5 shift, his team scores twice and allows one goal, giving him a +1 for that shift. Then, his team scores a shorthanded goal with him on the ice, adding another +1. Finally, during a power play where the opposing goalie was pulled for an empty net, the opponent scores, but this does not count toward plus-minus. His final rating for the game would be +2.
Which Goals Count and Which Do Not
Understanding which goals factor into plus-minus calculations is crucial for properly interpreting the statistic. Not all goals affect a player’s rating.
Goals That Count Toward Plus-Minus
Two types of goals contribute to a player’s plus-minus rating. Even-strength goals, which occur when both teams have the same number of players on the ice (typically 5-on-5), count fully. Additionally, shorthanded goals, which are goals scored by the team that is playing with fewer players due to a penalty, also count toward plus-minus. This inclusion is important because shorthanded situations present defensive challenges, and players who contribute positively in these moments demonstrate strong two-way play.
Goals That Do Not Count Toward Plus-Minus
Several common scenarios do not affect a player’s plus-minus rating. Power play goals scored by your own team do not count, even though you might be on the ice during the man-advantage. Penalty shot goals, whether for or against, are excluded from the calculation. Empty net goals, where the opposing team pulls their goaltender for an extra attacker, do not factor into plus-minus. These exclusions exist because the NHL decided that situations involving extreme tactical advantages or disadvantages should not penalize or reward individual players unfairly.
The History of Plus-Minus in Hockey
The plus-minus statistic originated with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1950s. The coaching staff developed the system to evaluate players beyond traditional stats like goals and assists. The Canadiens found that tracking which players were on the ice for goals versus allowed provided insight into defensive performance and two-way play.
The NHL made plus-minus an official statistic starting with the 1967-68 season, which coincided with the league’s expansion era. From that point forward, every player’s plus-minus rating became part of their permanent record. The statistic quickly became a standard metric for evaluating defensive contribution, particularly for defensemen and two-way forwards.
Over the decades, plus-minus has remained a fixture in hockey statistics, though its value has been debated extensively. The NHL even awarded a Plus-Minus Award sponsored by Bud Light from 1993 to 2008, recognizing the player with the best regular-season rating. The award was discontinued, but the statistic itself continues to be tracked and discussed.
What Is a Good Plus-Minus Rating?
Interpreting plus-minus requires context, as ratings vary significantly by position, era, and team quality. For a forward, a single-season rating above +20 is generally considered excellent. Defensemen typically have lower ratings on average due to the nature of their defensive responsibilities, so a +10 to +15 mark represents strong performance. Elite two-way players occasionally post ratings exceeding +40 in exceptional seasons.
When evaluating career ratings, the numbers look different. A career plus-minus above +100 indicates sustained excellence over many seasons. However, comparing players across different eras requires caution, as the average goals per game has fluctuated significantly. Players from the high-scoring 1980s often have different rating patterns than those from the more defensive-oriented 1990s.
All-Time Plus-Minus Leaders
Some of the greatest players in NHL history dominate the all-time plus-minus leaders list. Larry Robinson holds the record with an extraordinary +722 career rating, accumulated over 17 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. His combination of offensive skill and defensive reliability made him the prototype for the two-way defenseman.
Bobby Orr ranks second with a +525 career rating despite playing fewer seasons due to knee injuries. Orr revolutionized the defenseman position and remains the only blueliner to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP three times. Wayne Gretzky, despite his legendary offensive numbers, posted a +518 career rating, demonstrating that even the greatest scorers can contribute positively when playing responsible two-way hockey.
Other notable entries include Formula One driver-turned-hockey analyst observations, but the reality is that the all-time list is dominated by players from powerhouse Canadiens teams of the 1970s and Oilers teams of the 1980s. Context matters significantly when evaluating these records.
Criticisms and Limitations of Plus-Minus
Plus-minus has faced significant criticism from analysts, fans, and former players. The statistic does not account for the quality of teammates a player faces or the performance of their goaltender. A player on a line with Wayne Gretzky would naturally accumulate better ratings than one playing with lesser talent, regardless of their individual defensive ability.
The power play exclusion creates additional distortions. Players who excel at generating offense during man-advantage situations receive no credit in plus-minus for those contributions. Conversely, players on the ice during opponent power plays absorb goals against without any offsetting benefit when their team scores shorthanded.
Many modern analysts prefer more granular statistics like Corsi and Fenwick, which measure shot attempts rather than just goals. These metrics provide larger sample sizes and less variance over a single season. However, plus-minus remains widely referenced because goals are ultimately what matter in hockey, and some argue that goal-based metrics capture value that shot-based metrics miss.
The controversy around plus-minus reflects broader debates in hockey analytics about how to properly evaluate player contributions. Most experts agree that plus-minus should be considered alongside other statistics rather than used in isolation. A single-season rating can be heavily influenced by luck and teammate quality, while career ratings over 5+ seasons provide more reliable indicators of defensive ability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is plus-minus in hockey?
Plus-minus is moderately important as one measure of a player’s two-way performance, but it should not be used alone to evaluate players. It works best when combined with other statistics over large sample sizes of 5+ seasons. The stat is controversial because it does not account for teammate quality, goalie performance, or power play situations.
What was Gretzky’s plus-minus?
Wayne Gretzky finished his NHL career with a +518 rating. Despite being the NHL’s all-time leading scorer with 2,857 points, Gretzky maintained a strongly positive plus-minus throughout his career, demonstrating responsible two-way play.
Does power play affect plus-minus?
No, power play goals do not affect plus-minus. Only even-strength and shorthanded goals count toward the statistic. This is one of the main criticisms of plus-minus, as it ignores a player’s offensive contributions during man-advantage situations.
Why is plus-minus controversial?
Plus-minus is controversial because it fails to account for factors outside a player’s control, such as teammate quality, goaltending, and which opponents a player faces. It also excludes power play goals, which some argue are a significant part of offensive contribution. Many analysts consider it too simplistic for meaningful player evaluation.
Who has the best plus-minus in NHL history?
Larry Robinson holds the NHL record with a +722 career plus-minus rating, accumulated over 17 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. Bobby Orr ranks second at +525, and Wayne Gretzky is third at +518. These records may never be broken given the increasing parity in modern hockey.
Conclusion
Understanding what plus minus means in hockey gives you another tool for evaluating player performance beyond basic counting stats like goals and assists. The statistic measures goal differential when a player is on the ice, rewarding those who contribute positively at even-strength and shorthanded situations while ignoring power play accomplishments and certain special circumstances.
While plus-minus has significant limitations and faces legitimate criticism from modern analysts, it remains a useful piece of the evaluation puzzle when considered alongside other metrics. For players tracked over multiple seasons with consistently high ratings, the statistic provides meaningful signal about two-way capability. Just remember to always consider context: team quality, era, and usage patterns all affect the numbers you see next to a player’s name in the standings.