The plus-minus rating is one of the most difficult statistics to project. Generally speaking, players on good teams are a strong bet to be plus and players on bad teams are doomed to minus totals – but it’s not that simple.

Sometimes a traditional power -- like the Red Wings – suffers poor goaltending and slips at even strength. As a result, a traditionally strong plus-minus bet like Nicklas Kronwall (-5) has gone the other way. Henrik Zetterberg, +30 last season, is just +3 through a big chunk of this season.

Here are the players, from good teams and bad, who have been the biggest plus-minus disappointments of this season:

Rod Brind’Amour, C, Carolina: It is shocking to see him with a –21 rating after 27 games. After all, he was "even" in 59 games last season and +7 two years ago. But the Hurricanes have struggled and Rod, at 38 years old, is in the twilight of his career.

Brad Boyes, W, Blues: Goaltender injuries and poor even-strength play wrought havoc on many plus-minus ratings on this team. But Boyes, a 15-goal scorer this season, has played his way off a lot of fantasy teams with his minus-16 rating.

Todd Bertuzzi, W, Calgary: Most of the Flames regulars are on the minus this season, but his -15 leaps out at you. He has 20 points in 30 games, but 12 of those points came on the power play.

Teemu Selanne, W, Anaheim: As a Duck two years ago, he posted a +26 rating. So it was reasonable to assume he would do similarly well this season, since Anaheim started the year at full strength with much of its championship nucleus in place. Wrong! Selanne has slipped to –6 despite scoring 14 goals in 30 games.

Dion Phaneuf, D, Calgary: He is an all-star defenseman by any measure. Phaneuf has produced 23 points in 30 games. But the team’s goaltending (2.92 goals-against average, .900 save percentage) and generally erratic play at even strength has hurt him.

Mike Ribeiro, C. Dallas: Traditionally this team produces good ratings. Last season Mike was +21, for instance. This season the Stars have been riddled by injuries and hamstrung by mediocre goaltending. As a result, Ribeiro is –6 after 28 games.

Kristian Huselius, W, Columbus. The Blue Jackets produced some terrible plus-minus numbers earlier in their history. This season, though, the team has decent numbers overall playing for the defensive-minded Ken Hitchcock. So Huselius’ –7 stands out, especially since he was +31 the previous two season in Calgary.

Don Hainsey, D, Atlanta: The Thrashers have team-wide defensive issues, so it’s no shock that a defenseman could post a bad number on this team. He is –9 after 27 games, which puts a dent in his other solid statistical performance (five goals, 12 assists).

Michal Rosival, D, New York Rangers: It’s no wonder this team put him on the trade block. This team is on the minus side overall, but his –12 seems excessive. Just two years ago, he was +10 with 40 points in 80 games – very solid fantasy numbers in today’s game.

Mark Recchi, W, Tampa Bay: Earlier in his career, Recchi reached the +20 plateau twice while playing on good teams (Montreal and Philadelphia). But he has also posted some horrible plus-minus ratings while playing on bad teams. So this season’s –10 for the dysfunction Lightning is not a shock.

Bill Guerin, W. New York Islanders: This team has a recent history of producing bad numbers, but Guerin’s –11 is worst among the regular Islanders forwards. It ruins an otherwise decent start; he scored 11 goals in his first 29 games.