The Columbus Blue Jackets won't make the playoffs this season, and injuries are a huge reason why, but the Jackets haven't helped themselves at all.
They've made some questionable lineup decisions on a regular basis, and it has hindered their ability to put together wins on a consistent basis.
Jack Johnson and David Savard continue to struggle logging huge minutes, while James Wisniewski is tearing apart lesser competition and proving he can handle a bigger workload.
Jared Boll continues to dress on a regular basis, but because he doesn't bring much of anything to the table - and continuously takes bad penalties - his minutes are regularly limited, which puts even more pressure on the top guys to produce.
Domenic Galamini put together a database that evaluates every player in the league using possession metrics, scoring rates, etc. and ranks them as a 1st/2nd/3rd/4th line/replacement level player (or 1st/2nd/3rd pairing D) based off their performance in each category.
What was illustrated using those charts is that Boll is performing at sub-4th line standards in almost every aspect, and that several AHL players in the system would be able to perform at a level as good or better if given the opportunity.
How a replacement-level player was signed to a three-year contract is beyond me, but this is the kind of deal analytics can help prevent from being signed.
Boll doesn't play much so he doesn't hurt the Jackets a lot on ice, but he hurts them more so because his presence essentially makes Columbus a three line team.
An in-house option who has sat for Boll (and several others he's as good or better than) is Jack Skille, who provides much more to the bottom-6.
Skille can bring a physical presence, but he also brings skill, and can produce in the bottom-6 to help take the load off Ryan Johansen and co.
Here's how his numbers stack up over the last couple seasons.
As you can see, Skille is more productive in every category. Boll means well, and I'm sure he is a nice guy that's well liked in the locker room, but I doubt the players have anything against Skille, and he gives them a better chance to win games, which is what it's all about.
Would playing Wisniewski on the top pairing instead of Johnson have the Jackets in the playoffs right now? No. Would Skille playing over Boll? No. But they'd be closer, and perhaps would still have a shot.
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