The mandate of Puck Value is to illustrate which NHL players and franchise offers the best value to their teams and fans based on their salaries or payrolls. We have developed a ranking system based on putting the players and franchises on the same scale as much as possible. In order that they are ranked against the same criteria, players should have equal opportunities to perform and amass statistics. Therefore, players had to suit up for a minimum number of games to qualify for ranking. Players who did not meet the minimum number of games were not ranked but are included in our profiles. As well, forwards, defencemen and goalies use different skills so we applied different formulas to analyze these skills.
Statistics are from the 2009-2010 regular season and are all in U.S. dollars. Salaries were rated from lowest salary (most desirable) to highest (least desirable). On ice statistics are from NHL.com, financial statistics are from NHLPA.
Eligible players
For all rankings, eligible players must meet the minimum requirement. Forwards must have at least 40 points and played in 60 games. Defencemen must have played in at least 60 games. Goaltenders must have played in at least 35 games.
Forwards
Must have at least 40 points. Eligible players were ranked in these three categories; points, time on ice and salary. Each category is worth one-third of the final.
Example:
Antoine Vermette
Salary: $3 million
Points: 65
Time on Ice: 1,651 minutes
Salary Rank: 55 out of 138 eligible players.
Point rank: 39 out of 138 eligible players.
Time on Ice rank: 16 out of 138 eligible players.
Math: (55/3) + (39/3) + (16/3) = 36.67
Antoine Vermette received 36.67 points which ranked him No. 11 most valuable out of 138 players.
Defencemen
Players with at least 60 games are ranked in these categories; salary, points, time on ice and plus/minus. Each category is worth one-quarter of the final ranking.
Example:
Mark Giordano
Salary: $1 million
Points: 30
Time on Ice: 1,708
Plus/Minus: 17
Salary Rank: 37 out of 151 eligible players.
Point rank: 46 out of 151 eligible players.
Time on Ice rank: 55 out of 151 eligible players.
Plus/Minus: 16 out of 151 eligible players.
Math: (37/4) + (46/4) + (55/4) + (16/4) = 38.5
Mark Giordano received 36.67 points which ranked him No. 11 most valuable out of 151 players.
Goaltenders
Goaltenders must have played a minimum 35 games and are evaluated in three equally-weighted categories; 1) Salary per save minus salary per goal, 2) time on ice, 3) Goals against average. Each category is worth one-third of the final ranking.
Example:
Tuukka Rask
$ Sv -$ Shot : 194
GAA: 1.97
Time on Ice: 2,562 minutes
$ Sv-$ Shot: 21 out of 36 players
GAA: 1 out of 36 players
Time on Ice: 28 out of 36 players
Math: (21/3) + (1/3) + (28/3) = 9.3
Tuukka Rask received 9.3 points which ranked him No. 16 most valuable out of 36 players.
Elite Players
Eligible players who earned the top salaries in the NHL were ranked against each other. The criterion is:
- Forwards: Eligible players earning the top 10% in the salary range. This represents 29 players.
- Defencemen: Eligible players earning the top 10% in the salary range. This represents 29 players.
- Goaltenders: Eligible players earning more than $5 million salary range. This represents 12 players.
Nationalities
Puck Money has collected and averaged out the performances of eligible players by nationality. A nationality will not be represented if there is only one player from that country eligible.
Franchises
The weighting of the Puck Money Fan Value Index is: Overall Standing 60%, Payroll 10% and Fan Cost index 30%. The lower the score for Payroll and Fan Cost, the more acceptable the team is to fans.
Fan cost index includes four (4) average priced tickets, two (2) small draft beers, four (4) small soft drinks, four (4) regular size hot dogs, parking for one (1) car, two (2) game programs and two (2) least expensive, adult-size adjustable caps. Source: 2009 Team Marketing Report.
Canadian Team Lists
All players who played on a Canadian team during the past season are represented even though they may have been traded halfway through the season.
Abbreviations
POS = position
TOI = time on ice
PIM = penalty minutes
GP = games played
SA = shots against
SSV% = save percentage TOI = time on ice
GAA = Goals Against Average
$/GP = Salary per game played
$/P = Salary per point
$/MOI = salary per minute on ice
+/- = Plus/Minus
$/SV – $/SA = dollar per save – dollar per shot against (represents ‘cost per goal allowed’)
Research and analysis: Phil Froats
