As you might have heard, Barry Trotz was none too happy with Jason Chimera‘s overtime intereference penalty last night that led to the Blue Jackets‘ game-winning goal. Here (via RMNB) is a look at the infraction which, most favorably, could be characterized as unnecessary:
And here’s what the Caps’ head coach had to say about it postgame (with more here):
Trotz on Chimera’s penalty: “Definitely unnecessary. We’ll address that tomorrow with that individual.”
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) December 12, 2014
Chimera is having a rough season in many respects – his possession stats are terrible, his box car stats are no better, and while there are some mitigating factors there (including his deployment… maybe), one area that stands out and is largely inexcusable is how often he’s marching to the penalty box. And really, it’s not about the rate (which is actually below his career pace, even if it does lead the team) so much as the types of penalties he’s taking.
Chimera generally isn’t getting caught out of position and taking obstruction penalties (lazy penalties, perhaps, but not selfish) so much as he’s taking unnecessary (there’s that word again) penalties. To wit, Chimera is tied for the League lead among forwards in slashing minors. And interference minors. And holding minors (okay, there’s obstruction). And throw in a cross-checking for good measure. Eight of those ten penalties have been non-coincidental, seven at five-on-five and then last night’s four-on-four infraction.
It’s also not the first time Trotz has been upset with Chimera for taking a bad penalty.
Discipline is a hallmark of a Barry Trotz-coached team, and right now, Jason Chimera isn’t showing much discipline at all. It’s no wonder, then, that Trotz seems to have settled on a candidate to sit in order to get Andre Burakovsky back in the lineup:
As Trotz was leaving, he was asked about Burakovsky. “I’ve got a good reason to put him in the lineup right now.” REAL unhappy with Chimera.
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) December 12, 2014
For a team that’s all about “culture change,” sitting a player for repeated selfish penalties would seem like a good place to hammer home some of the change they’re looking for.