Just in case you had ever wondered what two consecutive seasons of 45 or fewer points will fetch you in NHL negotiations, well, here’s your answer: apparently it is a four year contract worth a total of 16 million dollars.
I can already feel the puke rising rising up through my digestive system. I’m sure that there are many other NHL executives who now feel the same way since the Colorado Avalanche announced today that they have signed forward David Jones to this ridiculous extension.
If anything it’s a sobering reminder of just how messed up and wildly unpredictable this year’s unrestricted free agenct market will be when it officially opens on July 1st. This contract will help set the bar that the representatives of players like Zach Parise and PA Parenteau will point to and laugh at when it comes time to negotiate new deals for their clients with NHL GMs…
… or worse, it could be a terrible twist in the negotiations with impending RFA Nick Foligno. Albeit, unlike Nick, Jones was headed towards unrestricted free agency. He also has at least one 20-goal season under his belt, in fact he’s coming off of his second consecutive 20+ goal season.
But here’s the kicker for Senators management, historically, Foligno’s been a more consistent point producer over the past few years:
Jones’ Stats Line:
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Hits | BkS | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GW | SOG | Pct | |
| 2007-08 | COL | 27 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -5 | 8 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | .054 | |
| 2008-09 | COL | 40 | 8 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 8 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 47 | .170 | |
| 2009-10 | COL | 23 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 39 | .256 | |
| 2010-11 | COL | 77 | 27 | 18 | 45 | -2 | 28 | 93 | 38 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 153 | .176 | |
| 2011-12 | COL | 72 | 20 | 17 | 37 | -8 | 32 | 85 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 136 | .147 | |
| Career | 239 | 67 | 50 | 117 | -22 | 78 | 207 | 71 | 12 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 412 | .163 |
Foligno’s Stats Line:
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Hits | BkS | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GW | SOG | Pct | |
| 2007-08 | OTT | 45 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 20 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | .136 | |
| 2008-09 | OTT | 81 | 17 | 15 | 32 | -10 | 59 | N/A | N/A | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 145 | .117 | |
| 2009-10 | OTT | 61 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 6 | 53 | 78 | 23 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 83 | .108 | |
| 2010-11 | OTT | 82 | 14 | 20 | 34 | -19 | 43 | 119 | 41 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 149 | .094 | |
| 2011-12 | OTT | 82 | 15 | 32 | 47 | 2 | 124 | 196 | 30 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 153 | .098 | |
| Career | 351 | 61 | 87 | 148 | -21 | 299 | 393 | 94 | 15 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 574 | .106 |
While the numbers corroborate the argument that Jones is the better goal scorer, he’s a terrible puck possession player. In fact, when the puck isn’t on his stick and he’s not scoring goals, he doesn’t do a hell of a lot on the ice. Regardless of Foligno’s inability to put the puck in net in a consistent fashion, at least he’s a better all-around player who has spent the past few seasons playing in a bottom six forward role.
Factor in the possibility of Jones getting a hometown discount and well, PUKE!
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