Cote/Carcillo

But a cap hit. I don’t think he was bad. But being overpaid on a cap tight team… Well this is what happens I guess.

I think most of the criticism is because Jones has a paycheck he’s not qualified for. Yes, his role was too large and his contract was based on that role, but I doubt he would’ve received the same amount of criticism if he didn’t have such a hefty paycheck.

And that’s mostly why he got blamed. BUT according to NHL.com, Matt Carle did have as many turnovers as Randy Jones. Carle had 48 to Jones 47. But Carle played in 64 games (0.75 per game) while Jones played in 47 (1 per game). Also:

Blocked shots: Carle – 115 (1.8 per game); Jones – 66 (1.4 per game)
Takeaways: Carle – 43 (0.67 per game); Jones – 26 (0.55 per game)
Points per 60: Carle – 0.79; Jones – 0.45
GA per 60: Carle – 2.38; Jones – 2.41
GF per 60: Carle – 2.62; Jones – 2.77
SA per 60: Carle – 29.0; Jones – 32.3
SF per 60: Carle – 29.1; Jones – 27.1
Missed SA per 60: Carle – 11.1; Jones – 14.0
Missed SF per 60: Carle – 11.4; Jones – 10.2

So Carle had fewer turnovers, more blocked shots, more takeaways, more points, less goals against, less shots against, more shots for, less shots fired against, and more shots fired for. The only thing Jones was better in, was the rate at which we scored goals when he was on the ice. But even then, how much credit does he get when the team was shooting less with him on the ice, and he wasn’t getting any points on those goals? Matt Carle was MUCH better than Randy Jones was last year.