More Fascinating work from Eric at NHLNumbers, he has examined an alternate method of determining the quality of competition players face, using Time on Ice. This Chart shows the time of Ice of defensemen faced while each player is on the ice, and the time of ice of forwards faced while each player is on the ice. The greater time on ice, the better a player is thought by his coaches to be. Why is this fascinating? Well, consider: The top forwards of a team will face the top defensemen, but not naturally the top forwards of an opponent (but rather the defensive forwards). The top defensive forwards of a team will face the top opposing forwards, but not the top opposing defensemen. Only two way players will face both top forwards and defensemen. In this chart, showing the Islanders in 2011-2012, we see the following: Tavares-Moulson face top defensemen and top forwards (the sign of 2 way players facing the best of the best of all worlds.) Nielsen and Grabner meanwhile face the top forwards, but not the top defensemen - because after all, they're the defensive group. The other forwards all lag behind (Though PAP fits in the middle).