Mattias Ekholm or Roman Josi? The NHL Stat Breakdown

Few NHL comparisons generate more debate than Mattias Ekholm vs Roman Josi. The numbers reveal a genuinely competitive matchup — Roman Josi takes 4 categories while Mattias Ekholm 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.

Mattias Ekholm's Plus/Minus of 235 compared to Roman Josi's 50 represents a 370% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Mattias Ekholm's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Games Played, where Mattias Ekholm posts 975 against Roman Josi's 1038 — a gap of just 6.5%. Mattias Ekholm 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 Mattias Ekholm 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 Roman Josi — 4 categories to 2 — but Mattias Ekholm makes this far from a one-sided debate. Anyone building the case for Mattias Ekholm has real statistical ammunition particularly in Games Played where the gap narrows to just 6.5%. The numbers have spoken, but the argument will continue.