Dear Coach Noel,

Enough is enough. It is time sir. It is time to get Alex Burmistrov back in the lineup. Listen, I hear you. I understand that he wasn’t buying in, he has not been acting in the mature, respectable way that he really should be, and you had to do something about it. I understand that the room was openly behind you in this, and heck, if he really has been that bad I was behind you for maybe a game or two. Your plan even worked! Four straight wins and a climb up the standings is more than enough evidence that your lineup is working.

Well, that is if you call 3 forward lines a real “lineup”.

Yes, Patrice Cormier probably did deserve a shot. He has played reasonably well out on the farm this year, and didn’t really get a good chance in the shortened training camp. But do you really consider playing 3:48 a game a fair chance? A mere 6 shifts a game? Can you really afford to have him giving the puck away in a fourth line role?

It didn’t work so well Sunday afternoon. His sloppy play did lead to Ottawa’s second goal in case you forgot.

Need more? Well, let’s play with some stats.

First, how about we take a look at what would happen if we did a simple swap. Burmi for Cormier. How do you think Cormier’s current line mates performance’s 5 on 5 change if you make this swap?

Looks to me like your fourth line might actually improve a little bit. I’m sure Chris and Eric would love the opportunity to play a little more. I mean, you did after all have Burmi averaging 16:05 a game before he hit the bench.

Now, what about the other forwards? I wonder how Alex compares to them. Let’s ask our friends at behindthenet how he compares to other Jet forwards 5 on 5 who have played at least 10 games:

This is what the guys at stats.hockeyanalysis.com had to say, when we compared Burmi to Jets forwards who have played at least 200 minutes at 5 on 5:

And just for fun, here are his basic stats among all Jets forwards, from NHL.com:

You know what I see in all of this Coach? I see a guy who may not put the puck in the net as much as you may like, but who acts as one of your best defensive forwards. You often start him in the offensive zone against what is probably the other teams second line, and he generally keeps the puck down there.

I’m sure you will agree when I say that plus/minus is a pretty questionable stat, but hey, he only has 7 points and is still a +6. When you look at the fact that he is leading the team in goals against per period and is second in relative corsi, it is no surprise. The puck simply doesn’t go in your net as much when he is on the ice. In fact, when he is off the ice, the teams goals against per period sky rockets to .924, a stat the he is third on the team for.

Remind me, wasn’t it an improved defensive mindset that you wanted this team to have coming into the season?

Coach, I do like you and I respect you. I think you’re a funny guy, and usually, you have done things that I do understand and agree with. But right now Mr. Noel I do not agree. Give Alex a chance to show you that he can play the style you want. Let him show you that he is maturing, and that he is a major contributor to this team.

Please Coach, for the good of us all, just #freeburmi.

Sincerely,

Travis