Here's another example of why I think the +/- statistic is overused and
misused.  (And it's a plug for my alma mater.  :-)
 
1992-93 CCHA +/- LEADERS (based on 30 league games)
  1. Patrick Neaton, MICHIGAN +34
  2. David Roberts, MICHIGAN +33
  3. Mark Ouimet, MICHIGAN +32
  3. Chris Tamer, MICHIGAN +32
  5. Dan Stiver, MICHIGAN +30
  5. Aaron Ward, MICHIGAN +30
 
Roberts, Ouimet and Stiver formed Michigan's top line.  Tamer and Ward were
paired together on defense a majority of the time.  Jeez, I wonder if +/- is
line dependent?  :-)
 
It can be safely said that these were not the CCHA's six best offensive, six
best defensive or six best overall players.  What are they then?  The
conference's six best +/- players as measured by ...
 
  John H
  U Mich