Morgan Rielly vs Ryan McDonagh Career Stats Comparison

This is as close as it gets. Morgan Rielly and Ryan McDonagh split the statistical categories evenly — 3 apiece — making this one of the most genuinely contested D comparisons in NHL history. When the numbers are this balanced, the debate comes down to which statistics matter most to you.

Ryan McDonagh's Plus/Minus of 303 compared to Morgan Rielly's -42 represents a 621.4% 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 Ryan McDonagh's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Games Played, where Morgan Rielly posts 953 against Ryan McDonagh's 1058 — a gap of just 11%. Ryan McDonagh can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 3-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Games Played is the statistical ammunition for the Ryan McDonagh 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.

With categories split evenly, this comparison ultimately comes down to which statistics matter most to you. Ryan McDonagh claims the tiebreaker through Plus/Minus advantage — a 621.4% edge — but reasonable people can, and do, argue both sides of this NHL debate.