Thanks so much for posting this! I hope you don’t mind, but I made it so people could have the links open in a new window.

Defensive GVT is interesting to me because, as they say, defensive contributions are the most difficult to assign value to, but I like the consideration of relative plus/minus and ice time.

Doughty’s Corsi also improved over last season. If anyone is interested in that stat, Behind the Net’s excellent FAQ on various stats can be found here. He’s taking on big minutes and playing in all situations, and when he’s on the ice, the Kings get more shots directed on goal for than against — basically, the puck is moving in the right direction.

I don’t mean to overlook Kopitar, though. That’s some good company.

To think that the Kings, never a franchise known for defense, can have two of the top defensive players in the league is encouraging.

What’s even more encouraging is that both Kopitar and Doughty are the youngest players among the top 5 in each grouping and still getting better.