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Player Archetypes

How every player is classified — and exactly how each archetype is scored. Each player is graded against the rest of the league at their position, then assigned the archetype they score highest in.

Every factor below is a percentile rank within the player's position group (forwards vs. defensemen) for the season. "Suppression" stats are on-ice rates where fewer is better, and reflect the line on the ice, not the player alone. Weights are each factor's relative contribution to the score.

Forwards
Sniper Forward

An elite goal scorer who beats goalies, not just a high-volume shooter. The defining trait is finishing above expectation — putting the puck in on chances an average shooter would not.

What makes one
  • Goal volume in the top ~20% of forwards
  • Finishes above expected (goals-above-expected better than the median)
How it's scored
Goals above expected (finishing skill)
60%
Goal volume
20%
Goals per 60
15%
Shots per 60
5%
Key stats shown
GoalsGoals above expectedGoals per 60
Examples
Nathan MacKinnon, Jason Robertson, Kirill Kaprizov
Playmaker Forward

A distributor who creates offense for teammates. Judged on the volume and rate of assists, not on the share of points that are assists.

What makes one
  • Assist volume in the top ~30% of forwards
  • Assist rate (per 60) above the median
How it's scored
Assists per 60
40%
Assist volume
25%
Points per 60
20%
Possession (Corsi%)
15%
Key stats shown
AssistsAssists per 60Points per 60
Examples
Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, Nick Suzuki
Power Forward Forward

A physical forward who also produces offense — hits and scores, a load to handle around the net.

What makes one
  • Hits per 60 above the median
  • Goals per 60 in the top ~60% of forwards
How it's scored
Hits per 60
35%
Goals per 60
30%
Points per 60
20%
Blocks per 60
15%
Key stats shown
Hits per 60Goals per 60Points per 60
Examples
Tom Wilson, Brady Tkachuk
Two-Way Forward Forward

A forward trusted at both ends — solid offense and genuine chance suppression. A balanced game rather than an elite specialty.

What makes one
  • Points per 60 in the top ~60% of forwards
  • Credible chance suppression (not a defensive liability)
How it's scored
Offense/defense balance (lower of the two)
balance
Points per 60
20%
Possession (Corsi%)
20%
High-danger suppression
15%
Shot suppression
5%

Rewards being good at BOTH ends (a balance term = the lower of the offensive and defensive halves). Capped below a specialist's peak, so an elite Sniper/Playmaker keeps its label rather than reading two-way.

Key stats shown
Goals per 60High-danger suppressionPossession (Corsi%)
Examples
Seth Jarvis, Roope Hintz
Grinder Forward

A physical, energy depth forward — presence and puck battles over production.

What makes one
  • Hits per 60 above the median
  • Goal rate NOT above the top ~45% (a scorer is not a grinder)
How it's scored
Hits per 60
50%
Blocks per 60
30%
Low point production (inverse)
20%
Key stats shown
Hits per 60Blocks per 60Points per 60
Examples
Garnet Hathaway, Mark Kastelic
Defensive Forward Forward

A defensive specialist forward — suppresses chances and plays a low-event, own-zone role.

What makes one
  • Strong chance suppression: fewest high-danger shots against on-ice (top ~40%)
How it's scored
High-danger suppression
35%
Shot suppression
25%
Low offensive role (inverse)
20%
Blocks per 60
10%
Defensive-zone starts
10%
Key stats shown
High-danger suppressionShot suppressionBlocks per 60
Examples
Nick Bjugstad, Nick Cousins
Defenses
Offensive D Defense

An offensive defenseman who drives play and produces from the blue line.

What makes one
  • Points per 60 in the top ~40% of defensemen
How it's scored
Points per 60
40%
Assists per 60
25%
Possession (Corsi%)
20%
On-ice expected-goals share (xGF%)
15%
Key stats shown
Points per 60Assists per 60Possession (Corsi%)
Examples
Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Lane Hutson
Two-Way D Defense

A complete defenseman who contributes offense while genuinely suppressing chances against.

What makes one
  • Points per 60 above the median for defensemen
  • Credible chance suppression (not a defensive liability)
How it's scored
Offense/defense balance (lower of the two)
balance
Possession (Corsi%)
20%
High-danger suppression
20%
Shot suppression
15%
Even-strength ice time
10%

Balance term rewards being good at both ends; capped below a specialist's peak so a pure Offensive D keeps its label.

Key stats shown
Points per 60High-danger suppressionPossession (Corsi%)
Examples
Adam Fox, Brock Faber
Shutdown D Defense

A defensive defenseman deployed against top lines who limits dangerous chances.

What makes one
  • Elite chance suppression: fewest high-danger shots against on-ice (top ~40%)
How it's scored
High-danger suppression
35%
Shot suppression
30%
Defensive-zone starts
20%
Blocks per 60
15%
Key stats shown
High-danger suppressionShot suppressionDefensive-zone starts
Examples
Brandon Dillon, Nick Seeler
Physical D Defense

A defenseman whose calling card is physicality and shot-blocking, with limited offense.

What makes one
  • Hits per 60 in the top ~30% of defensemen
  • Point production NOT above the top ~55% (offense is not the calling card)
How it's scored
Hits per 60
50%
Blocks per 60
30%
Low point production (inverse)
20%
Key stats shown
Hits per 60Blocks per 60Points per 60
Examples
Mathieu Olivier, Jacob Trouba