Hockey fans often have to deal with such a concept as "utility coefficient" or the characteristic "plus or minus". For NHL players, this is one of the most important performance indicators.
General information
In professional hockey, such a statistical characteristic of players as "utility coefficient" is common. Otherwise, it is called "plus-minus" or "p / m" (from English plus / minus). This indicator reflects the player's usefulness in hockey and is the difference between goals scored and missed in the game when any player was on the ice. This characteristic does not apply to goalkeepers. The plus-minus coefficient is calculated as follows. A positive point is awarded to the players of the team that played in the minority or in equal number of squads with the opposing team, scores a goal. "Plus" is awarded regardless of the presence or absence of the opposing goalkeeper. It follows from this that the "minus" is awarded to the players of the team who were on the ice at the time of the missed puck. From this simple principle, the coefficient of utility of players in hockey is formed. The "plus or minus" characteristic can be considered for players both within the framework of one match, and for a tournament or an entire season. Thus, if a player had a utility coefficient of “-3” in a tournament, but in one match he scored “+2”, then his coefficient became “-1”.
History of creation
The Montreal Canadiens professional hockey club, which plays in the National Hockey League (NHL), is believed to have originated in hockey. Odds were first counted in the 1950s, and the rest of the NHL teams adopted the idea in the 60s. It is customary to associate this sports invention with the famous player and coach Emile Francis.
NHL Plus-Minus Award
Each year, the best hockey player is awarded a special NHL Plus-Minus Award based on the utility rate system. The first presentation of this prize dates back to 1983. In the history of the NHL Plus-Minus Award, the best-performing hockey player is considered to be the famed Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky, who set a total of 61 records, often referred to as the greatest player in hockey history. … His maximum efficiency ratio for the season was +98. In addition, he won the NHL Plus-Minus Award three times, which is also a record among hockey players today.
Hockey players rating for the 2013-2014 season
The NHL player with the lowest utility to date is Alexander Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, with a -36 score and is considered the worst player in the league. For some time, our compatriot Nail Yakupov from the Edmonton Oilers team, with a rating of “-33”, also held the lead among the outsiders. The best players this season are the Boston Bruins: David Craichey, +39; Patrice Bergeron, +38; Brad Marschand, +36.
