Plus–minus (sports)

However, there is controversy in the effectiveness of the plus−minus statistic's ability to accurately convey a players individual performance.

The plus/minus statistic was first used in the 1950s by the Montreal Canadiens, a National Hockey League (NHL) team, for evaluating its own players.

Every goal included in the calculation is weighted the same regardless of the situation - even strength, power play, short-handed or empty net.

In basketball, the NBA's Houston Rockets first utilized a modified version of the stat, which indicated that Shane Battier, who had a plus–minus score of plus 10, was a much more effective player than had been previously believed.

[6] A plus−minus statistic has been used in sports economics to analyze the degree of competitive balance over time in association football.