December is normally a time of good tidings. However, that is not the reality for all. There has to be a naughty list along with the list of nice right? Exactly!
It is even worse when it comes to free agents with expectations. Those expectations are going to be high with teams that have aspirations. When that does not happen, they get branded into a special category — “The under performers”.
The Free Agent Under Performers — December
Andrew Ladd — LW — New York Islanders
Andrew Ladd signed a seven year, $38.5 million dollar deal to be the winger John Tavares always needed. It was not that bad when the forward struggled a little at the start of the season. Ladd was a consistent 50 point plus player. He also had 46 points in the 2013 shortened campaign. The assumption was he would just snap out of it. Almost two months into the season, the new Islander has just six points in 25 games.
Even advanced metrics from Puckalytics paint a murky picture at best. Ladd has below average possession numbers, a career low on ice save percentage, and his percent of goals for is at just 18%. That has never dipped below 29%. His lack of points with Tavares drew the ire of fans but defensive lapses by the duo were more disturbing. However, there is one more stat that hurts.
His 39 shots in 25 games may be the most disturbing fact. There were signs late last year with Chicago that there was a drop off. The postseason masked some issues. A turnaround is possible but this is troubling.
Alex Goligoski — D — Arizona Coyotes
Where does one begin? Another player over the age of 30 signing a long term deal. It felt like a risky deal to begin with and so far, so bad. Alex Goligoski is not a goal scorer but to have zero goals at the 25 game mark could be a bad sign. Then there are the other metrics along with relative team possession numbers that are 3-4% worse than Arizona’s average.
Among all defensemen playing 200 or more minutes, Goligoski ranks in the lowest five in Corsi (2nd) and Fenwick (5th). His goals against per 60 is a whopping 3.18. Some will counter that he is blocking more shots than usual. That much is true but most of that is a product of being out of position a lot. This is a risk taken with free agents over the age of 30.
For a cap hit of almost $5.5 million per season, the Coyotes are not getting even a little value. His utilization is of a top pairing defenseman and the production is more bottom four that top two. The Coyotes have several more years of this. Arizona is a young team with potential. Goligoski was expected to help stabilize the defense. Instead, the move to the Western Conference has been a trying experience.
Watch enough late games and one can see Dave Tippett and Arizona gain a few grey hairs every time Goligoski is on the ice. Goligoski’s defense has come into question and his work is cut out for him.