Boston Bruins defenceman Torey Krug hates the plus/minus rating.
The statistic can be frustrating for its randomness: players receive a plus when they're on the ice for an even-strength or short-handed goal for and a minus when they're on the ice for an even-strength or short-handed goal by their opponent.
A player may receive credit despite contributing little to a goal or be penalized with a "dash" even if he wasn't responsible for his team giving up a goal. And yet, players, coaches and managers still rely on it to measure effectiveness.
"I get upset about it because I know that everyone else uses it as a gauge," said Krug, who has a plus-11 mark this season.