Jim Watson- The best "true" plus/minus of all time

[Whaleafs]

While looking up statistical leaders of various categories I got to the plus/minus column and the all time leader in the highest is Larry Robinson. Followed by Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and so on. Granted plus/minus is a weird stat that only gives part of the picture, I was curious if there was anyone with a considerable amount of games played that had a higher plus/minus than their point output. Here's the leader board:

http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/records/nhl-players-all-time-plus-minus-leaders.html

GP	G	A	P		+/-

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Larry Robinson 1384

208

750

958

722

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Bobby Orr 657

270

645

915

582

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Ray Bourque 1612

410

1169

1579

527

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Wayne Gretzky 1487

894

1963

2857

520

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Bobby Clarke 1144

358

852

1210

507

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Serge Savard 1040

106

333

439

462

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Fantastic stats for all the guys on the list no question. But when you look at the bigger picture with Robinson, for example, factoring in the plus' from personally scoring points, being on the ice with no active role for a goal for, and being on the ice for a goal against (not splitting hairs with PPG, SHG, etc.)

When you look at the final ledger he's a "minus" in one way, seeing as his plus minus is lower than his overall point output. 958-722 ="Minus" 236.

Contrast this with Jim Watson's stats where he scored (a modest) 186 points but had a career +295 or a "Plus" 109 based on this points vs. plus/minus metric, which was the highest number I could find.

GP	G	A	P	+/-

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Jim Watson 613

38

148

186

295

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Doesn't mean much of anything, just thought it was interesting and something different to look at.

 

[seventieslord]

Fantastic stats for all the guys on the list no question. But when you look at the bigger picture with Robinson, for example, factoring in the plus' from personally scoring points, being on the ice with no active role for a goal for, and being on the ice for a goal against (not splitting hairs with PPG, SHG, etc.)

When you look at the final ledger he's a "minus" in one way, seeing as his plus minus is lower than his overall point output. 958-722 ="Minus" 236.

If Robinson isn't an active part of every goal for, surely he's not an active part of every goal against too, right?

I get the general sense of the point you're trying to make, but ESGA are a stat that have been isolated going back to 1967 so if you wanted to attempt to find true statistical defensive studs, you could use a number that is solely based on goal prevention instead of bastardizing a stat that's representative of offense and defense. the data exists!

 

[Whaleafs]

If Robinson isn't an active part of every goal for, surely he's not an active part of every goal against too, right?

Yes and there's no points for defence so a minus is all their is to go on. I went off 2 generic career stats, points and plus/minus, I really don't care that much to spend hours crunching numbers on every obscure stat. Feel free to do so.

 

[Thenameless]

I don't remember paying attention to Jimmy Watson, but I just looked him up and his plus minus numbers are fantastic. He basically played his whole career as a "plus" player (let's not bother counting his first season when he only played four games).

 

[BobbyAwe]

Interesting stat. Never thought of looking at it that way.