Dom Luszczyszyn in the Athletic today on Chariott
. Just before the Toffoli trade was officially announced, rumours swirled about Calgary’s interest in
Ben Chiarotas well, a heavy and rugged defender expected to command at least a first-round pick at the deadline. While it’s possible Chiarot does better outside of Montreal, it’s hard to fathom considering he’s been a massive part of the problem this season. Without Shea Weber’s help, Chiarot’s game has crumbled with a putrid 41.6 percent expected goals rate and an even uglier 31.6 percent of the actual goals. On a terrible team, both are somehow below the team average. For teams hoping for his ‘defensive’ prowess, no
Canadiens defender gives up more chances against than Chiarot’s 3.08 expected goals against per 60.
On top of that Chiarot is a major risk at putting his team on the penalty kill due to his lack of foot speed and this season has a penalty differential of minus-14. On a per-60 basis, only three defenders have a worse rate over the last three seasons than Chiarot.
He’s not the answer, and in all likelihood will likely be a landmine other teams should try to avoid at all costs at the deadline — not spent assets for. Chiarot is currently projected to be an incredible detriment to any team that acquires him, worth minus-0.9 wins. That’s the fifth-lowest mark in the league and is driven by already being worth minus-1.2 wins this season in just 44 games. Only
Keith Yandle has been worse.
There have been comparisons made to Tampa Bay’s acquisition of
David Savard last season as the blueprint for a Chiarot deal. Aside from that also being a wild overpayment, Savard at least had a stronger resume to fall back on despite also having a rough season prior. That kept his projected value afloat. Chiarot’s resume looks buoyed by one solid year in 2019-20 where he was stapled to a star defender. That’s not worth paying premium assets for.