[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by Murph

First, I said he might be worth his salary.

Second, I wish I was computer savy enough to post the excel table I created comparing the stats of ten or so of the 2014 Team Canada hopefulls. Bouwmeesters stat line is right in the middle of the pack in all categories including points, power play points, time on ice, hits, blocked shots, and most importantly salary. The guys who get paid less than him are either on long term back diving contracts (e.g. Duncan Keith) or are on entry level deals and due for a big pay day (e.g. Kris Letang, Alex Pietrangelo)

Lastly, I haven't seen anything so far this season that makes me think Bouwmeester isn't capable of keeping up his level of play for the rest of this season and beyond, so long as he is playing in the right type of system, under the right coach.

Listen, I'm not stupid enough to say Bouwmeester is a difference maker or is a steal at $6.68M, especially after what amounts to a quarter season of play. Then again, I guess it depends on your definition of difference maker. He's not a difference maker in the Shea Weber/Drew Doughty mold (both of whom get paid more than him on back diving deals by the way). But what's more of a difference maker, Doughty plastering someone with a huge open ice hit, or Bouwmeester flying back the ice to get himself back into a play and break up a two on one?

Jbo is earning his pay.