Hockey Questions: Defensemen

[RugbyMuffin]

Sergi Gonchar.

Plays for the Pengiuns (team I root for). He is a defenseman that made the All-Star team.

Yet, I don't really notice him, or what he does. I am a new hockey fan so I am definately missing something.

Obviously, it is easy to see why the centers and wings get the nod. Goals and Assists.

But what makes a defenseman good?
(I feel this is like asking what makes an offensive lineman good in the NFL.)

 

[Assface]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defenceman_(ice_hockey)

Next game watch him when he's on the ice. I haven't seen any of their games this year so I don't know what kind of player he is.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

the defense must "Move the puck hard and quick to the open man. Join the rush, [but] do not lead it."



Thank you sir.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defenceman_(ice_hockey)

Next game watch him when he's on the ice. I haven't seen any of their games this year so I don't know what kind of player he is.

Gonchar is one of the best offensive defensemen in the game. I think they use him a lot on the point on the power play because he is very good at moving the puck and creating opportunities for all of the other talent that team has up front.

 

[NightHawk11and81]

Taking a look at a defender's plus/minus is usually a good idea. The best defenders will have high plus/minus ratings because goals tend not to occur when they're on the ice.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Taking a look at a defender's plus/minus is usually a good idea. The best defenders will have high plus/minus ratings because goals tend not to occur when they're on the ice.

Nice.
That is a great point.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Count me as a guy who doesn't put much stock in plus/minus ratings. For example, you aren't going to find many defensemen better than Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermeyer, who are currently sitting at -6 and -4 respectively.

 

[NightHawk11and81]

Count me as a guy who doesn't put much stock in plus/minus ratings. For example, you aren't going to find many defensemen better than Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermeyer, who are currently sitting at -6 and -4 respectively.

Well, not every defender will. The enforcer types like Pronger and Niedermayer will have higher penalty minutes, which might not seem like a positive because it puts teams a man down, but as long as they aren't stupid penalties, they can be beneficial to a team's psyche. Plus, Niedermayer's only played 23 games, and the Ducks went through a scoring drought for part of that.

But you're right, plus/minus is only one factor.