It’s unclear why it took 58 games for Islanders coach Doug Weight to finally scratch Jason Chimera from the lineup. As I previously noted, Chimera has been one of the worst players in the NHL this season by virtually any measure.
Of the 242 NHL forwards who have played as many minutes as him (598), Chimera has:
- the 5th-worst on-ice shot attempt differential;
- the 2nd-highest rate of high-danger scoring chances allowed;
- the 3rd-highest rate of all scoring chances allowed;
- the 7th-highest rate of shot attempts allowed;
- the 5th-lowest number of points scored (10)
Whatever leadership he brings — and I do believe there’s legitimate value in the guidance a 17-year, 1,000-game veteran can provide to the team’s younger players — it just can’t even remotely overcome his utter lack of production, glaring defensive deficiencies and inexcusably lazy habits.