Where did things
go so wrong? Why are the Winnipeg Jets again booking their tee times, missing
out on the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Make absolutely no
mistake; Tuesday night’s contest against the Washington Capitals was the
biggest game in Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise history. Anyone saying differently
is fooling themselves. You win in regulation and you’re 1 point up the Caps;
but they’d have one game in hand. You lose in regulation and you’re all but
done. The Jets needed to win Thursday, but did not.
Quite honestly and
bluntly they failed and did so miserably. How in an absolute must win game do
you get outshot 41-27; proceed to be outshot 13-7 (in the first period) when
being down in minute three. Every single player (with the exception of Ladd,
Antropov and Wheeler) was -1 or worse.
Why have the Jets
failed again?
The reasons why
the team has yet again failed? In my opinion is a long long laundry list.
1 1>
Ondrej
Pavelic
I’ve always questioned whether Pavelic has
been a true number one netminder. Some night’s he looks like the second coming
of Henrik Lunquist; yet the next he’ll look as disinterested as Ilya Bryzgalov.
The 5th year netminder is Ranked 37th in the NHL with a
2.77 g.a.a; & 36th with a .906 %. Those numbers itself are a
recipe for disaster; but when goal challenged like the Jets can be, you’ve got
no chance. Some will say I’m being too harsh; but the fact is he has allowed
the most goals this year (119). Unreal to think, his numbers are better than
last year’s 2.91 G.A.A. He had 4 years remaining, with 3.9 million owed each
year. It’s either time to buy him out; or get a very capable backup; one
capable of playing 30-35 games.
2 2>
Absolutely
depth to be found
What
type of depth do the Jets have? In the 5-3 loss to Washington; Eric Tangradi,
Mark Santorelli, James Wright played no less than 12 minutes; Anti Miettinen
played over 6 minutes. Each one of those is waiver pickups or acquired for 7th
rounders; in a combined 102 games this year, those four have a combined 5 goals
and 9 assists. Can you imagine getting five goals in 47 games from your third
line?
This
lack of depth has been an issue since the days of the Atlanta Thrashers; but is
one of the main reasons they have no chance to compete night in night out. The
days of Chris Thornbur n & Jim Slater could be over; after very sub-par
years. The club needs to address this with free agency; but they need to get
deeper in the minor league system as well. Use Aaron Gagnon; originally signed
for the AHL; but in 8 games this year has scored 3 times; inexpensive but gets
the job done. They need to find those who will only cost 1.5 -2 million type
players or less.
3 3> Get
Creative & Bold
T The Jets cannot lure free agents without
over spending, so they need to get creative and make some bold moves. Don’t believe me? How did
Olli Jokinen work out this year? In 45 games he has 7 goals & 7 assists
while going -19 (-8 being the next worst). Do you think they over spent a
little bit? Nothing like one more year at 4.5 million (ouch). Alexei
Ponikarvsky lasted all but 12 games; yet another free agent they had to
overpay.
With Jacob Trouba on the horizon; it might
be time for the Jets to move all-star defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and/or
Evander Kane. Is it time they make a ballsy
move like Columbus made by trading Rick Nash. This team needs to change
something within the core; it’ obvious Kane would like a change of scenery, and
we’ve all heard the trade rumours about Big Buff. Would the Flyers move the
Schenn brothers & Sean Courtier for Kane and Byfuglien? Keeping everything
status quo will not get the Jets any further.
4 4>
Nobody
knocking on the door
Aside
Truba and top prospect Mark Scheifele, the Jets don’t have prospects ready to
beat the door down to make an impact. That problem makes the off-season more
important; because if not addressed; the teams will be waiver wire bottom
feeders; picking up the scrap heaps from other teams.
5 5>
Changes
need to be made?
Despite
not making an impact on this year’s roster; it would be quite stunning to see a
change in the front office. Kevin Cheveldayoff will be going into his third
season as general manager for the Jets; but just like every other year,
questions will remain can this core get the job done. Two core players
Byfuglien & Kane need to grow up and become more mature; both on and off
the ice. Both can be game changers, but they can go weeks at a time without
making an impact. Kane is the most likely to be moved; because of his off ice
issues with the media and mixed signals of whether he wants to stay or leave
town.
Head
coach Claude Noel’s safety is not as guaranteed. Have the players had enough of
Noel over the last two years. The reason why I’m concerned over his job security
is the teams not showing up and the biggest 5-6 games of the year. Cheveldayof
should be more concerned over the big money players not coming through when
needed most.
Five
to six veterans have their contracts expiring, they will be saving 14.35
million; but half of that salary will be used to resign Bryan Little &
Blake Wheeler. The unfortunate thing is those two are better than average
second liners, but should not be considered first line forwards.
What
would I do?
If I were the general manager; I’d be open minded when it comes to
moving almost any and every player. My untouchables would be captain Andrew
Ladd, Wheeler, Scheifele, Trouba and Zach Redmond. Staying status quo might get
the team into one of the botton playoff spots, but certainly not considered a
contender in any way.
Too close; can one imagine on how bad this team would be if the Chicago
Blackhawks didn’t have to slash salary after winning the Stanley Cup? No Byfuglien
or Ladd, Holy Toldedo….. one cannot blame Atlanta for not supporting the
Thrashers.
Also keep in mind, there is no more playing in the South East, you've got to deal with Chicago, St.Louis six times a year going forward, no more cake
walk going forward.
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