This is such a dumb argument. JJ has been by far our worst D. And other people being bad has no impact on that.
So here's the numbers:
Olli Maatta: -4.9 Corsi Rel 34% o-zone starts XGF 53%
JJ: -5.9 Corsi Rel 46% o-zone starts XGF 44%
Riikola: -7.9 Corsi Rel 37% o-zone starts XGF 38%
Schultz: -12 Corsi Rel XGF 36%
Ruhwedel: -2.9 Corsi Rel 45% o-zone starts XGF 49%
Ignoring Letang/Dumo since obviously we don't need to show how good they've been. Also left out Oleksiak since his numbers are pretty good as well.
Stats seem to suggest Riikola has been our worst. Schultz was pretty bad too. Of course, both guys have only played 4 games. No doubt JJ has the worst numbers of any of our active d. But Maatta is also getting caved in possession.
Anyways, our entire d sucks outside of one pairing and Oleksiak. That's a problem. JJ is a part of the problem, but he's not the only one. I hated the contract and still do, but JJ would be a lot more palatable if other guys were playing like they're capable of. We at least know Maatta has in the past performed admirably. We know Ruh and Schultz can play better. JJ might just be...this. But him being what he is looks a LOT worse when the rest of the d is playing like a garbage fire.
So for me the most pressing issue is getting the rest of our d performing the way they're capable of. JJ might not ever perform better. History suggests he's just not very good. But we know Maatta/Schultz can be so much better.