Is Ben Chiarot Better Than Shayne Gostisbehere? NHL Stats Decide

Few NHL comparisons generate more debate than Ben Chiarot vs Shayne Gostisbehere. The numbers reveal a genuinely competitive matchup — Shayne Gostisbehere takes 4 categories while Ben Chiarot claims 2, making this one of the closer head to head comparisons at the D position. Every statistical category matters in a matchup this tight.

Shayne Gostisbehere's Assists of 350 compared to Ben Chiarot's 136 represents a 157.4% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. Ben Chiarot falls 51.4% below the career average of 280 in this category while Shayne Gostisbehere exceeds it. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Shayne Gostisbehere's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Games Played, where Ben Chiarot posts 814 against Shayne Gostisbehere's 755 — a gap of just 7.8%. Ben Chiarot can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 4-2 tally suggests. In any debate, Games Played is the statistical ammunition for the Ben Chiarot side.

Defensive play in the NHL is measured through a combination of offensive contribution and plus/minus rating. Elite defensemen contribute points while anchoring their team's defensive structure — a balance that defines the position's greatest players.

The verdict favors Shayne Gostisbehere — 4 categories to 2 — but Ben Chiarot makes this far from a one-sided debate. Anyone building the case for Ben Chiarot has real statistical ammunition particularly in Games Played where the gap narrows to just 7.8%. The numbers have spoken, but the argument will continue.