The Winnipeg Jets will be one of the more formidable teams coming off the season as everyone expects change within the organization.
We know about the restricted free agent Pierre Luc Dubois. Whatever the Jets do with Dubois, it can have an enormous effect on the rest of the crew. Add the fact that Connor Helleybuyck needs a contract extension. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding a team that has a very good roster.
NHL rumours: Jets making playoffs could affect Pierre-Luc Dubois’ future in Winnipeg
Now throw in a head coach Rick Bownesscomments after the Jets were eliminated in Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs. It’s a messy situation in Winnipeg.
for those who haven’t seen, Bowness told reporters after the match He was “disgusted and disappointed” with the way his team played.
He felt that there was no opposition from the planes. There is no pride in the elimination game. As he said, it was the same things he saw in February when the Jets were struggling. Just not enough opposition.
The Jets were one of the best teams in the leagues through their first 45 games and the minute they were challenged or saw little adversity, there wasn’t enough response.
It didn’t help that Winnipeg was playing without him Josh Morrissey And Mark Shevell. add in that Nikolaj Ehlers He was playing his first game in the Series and was a shell of himself, and the Jets’ backs were up against the wall.
Unfortunately, with Bowness making these comments public rather than keeping them in the room, there is a toxic environment between the players and the coach.
And during the day the aircraft disintegrated Blake Wheelerwho was stripped of his C at the start of the season, let it be known he wasn’t happy about it.
“He could have been honest with us, we could have had those discussions behind closed doors… so I didn’t agree with the way he handled himself after that game.”
Blake Wheeler on Rick Bowness’ comments after the Jets’ playoff exit after Game 5. pic.twitter.com/7jljgHnU7h
– Sportsnet (Sportsnet) April 29, 2023
So either of two things will happen. One of the buses will be replaced. That would be three coaches in less than two seasons. Or general managers Kevin Sheffield will make team-shaking trades.
But one thing is for sure, the winds of change are swirling in Winnipeg.
as an ESPN NHL analyst Ray Ferraro On the Ray and Driggs Podcast He notes that you can’t have coach Rick Bowness have the same group of players after what happened during his press conference after Game 5. It felt like Winnipeg had to turn the ball around for at least a summer and a half. But it’s hard to go back with the collective talent on the roster.
If you look at Kevin Cheveldayoff’s track record, all of the trades he’s made are because players wanted out Jacob ovenAnd Patrick LaneAnd Jack Roslovic. Now he’s got back two good players in return in particular Neil Bionic on the backend.
However, it looks like the core group on this list needs to change because the same issues that were there last year are back. The Jets’ 2018 run to the Western Conference Final feels like it was a long time ago.
Sometimes good teams need a change in performance to push them to the next level. Kevin Sheffield has his work cut out for the season as change is coming in Winnipeg.