Peter Tessier: The tough questions for the Jets & process to answers them Lots of thoughts on what the Jets should do floating around but if they want to get it right they have to start with a tough question back to themselves, and that means management down.

The Jets play a 1990's style of game that doesn't complement their young players with speed and talent. Because their lack of an effective defensive system and predictable breakout of their own zone the Jets are forced to play a dump and chase game, which doesn't suit Laine, Ehlers, Little, Roslovic, Appleton and Connor's style of play.

The Jets play a 1990's style of game that doesn't complement their young players with speed and talent. Because their lack of an effective defensive system and predictable breakout of their own zone the Jets are forced to play a dump and chase game, which doesn't suit Laine, Ehlers, Little, Roslovic, Appleton and Connor's style of play.

It's the same coaches from the 2017/18 season. even if true it doesn't explain the drop in results.

The fans could see and feel the difference in play and not just in the standings. The team just seemed a half step behind, losing too many battles for pucks, not skating as deep or energetically back to support defensive breakouts, softer play and generally not working hard enough to earn a good bounce.

My assessment:
*the whole league has been shifting from heavy play to speed based. The Jets were a little ahead of that curve last year and did not become a faster team this year... other teams are catching up.
*strained relationships and dressing room tension could account for most of what transpired
*Hellybuyck was very good but not great like 17/18. Part of that is the defensive zone play in front of him, maybe part contract contentment, but smaller equipment has to have a disproportionate effect on a goalie who is 'big and boring' vs an athletic goalie like Fleury - even if just on the psyche.
*expectations were very high and it is hard to move up from the 17/18 results
*the fans... evaluating Bell/MTS place home games is very arbitrary but there was not nearly the energy from fans as other years. I give us about a 4 out of 10. The results from the team were better than most years since the return but our enthusiasm was down. No chants, boobirds, spontaneity, derision of opponents or refs. We were just another place to play hockey. That has to be trickling both up from the team and down to the team. If we don't care enough to get up to the edge of our seats for games then why would the players.

This is the one paragraph that really stands out in suspect management practices. It is no secret, out there in the open but from a management perspective, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

"The Jets, coach and management, know there are problems. In fact they know that the centre position between Ehlers and Laine is so not producing that a trade has been made the past two deadlines to acquire a fix. Furthermore, the same player that trades have been made to upgrade from was given a contract extension. How did that happen and what process was used to make those decisions?"

Little played great the year he got his extension. he had 21 goals 47 points in 59 games. So the Jets figured if they got the last year of his contract plus 2 or 3 years of the extension it was a sound investment.
The problem was he was good with Wheeler and Maurice hasn't played him with Wheeler in the past 2 years.

Little played great the year he got his extension. he had 21 goals 47 points in 59 games. So the Jets figured if they got the last year of his contract plus 2 or 3 years of the extension it was a sound investment.
The problem was he was good with Wheeler and Maurice hasn't played him with Wheeler in the past 2 years.
- BWJumper

Like I mentioned in a previous comment BW, Wheeler does not want to play with Little. Wheeler recognizes that he was carrying Little and Ladd and no longer wants that role.

I am more surprised by the fact that people are okay with a 34 year declining Dustin Byfuglien as being our number 1 righty next year.

Is it just assumed the entire coaching staff is coming back? There has been no announcement ( either way, not surprising though)

Is it just assumed the entire coaching staff is coming back? There has been no announcement ( either way, not surprising though)
- Ross77

You would think we would have heard something by now on some front right?

You would think we would have heard something by now on some front right?
- Peter.Tessier

Chevy must be tied up working the trade phones, I bet the fax machine is down and that’s what’s causing delays

Like I mentioned in a previous comment BW, Wheeler does not want to play with Little. Wheeler recognizes that he was carrying Little and Ladd and no longer wants that role.

I am more surprised by the fact that people are okay with a 34 year declining Dustin Byfuglien as being our number 1 righty next year.
- TheUltimateJet

To be fair to Little, he was never carried until Stralman killed him. Once he came back, the underlying numbers dropped, and he was on his way down.

When it comes to Byfuglien, I know I’m not personally going to worry about it until he actually starts showing signs of decline

Like I mentioned in a previous comment BW, Wheeler does not want to play with Little. Wheeler recognizes that he was carrying Little and Ladd and no longer wants that role.

I am more surprised by the fact that people are okay with a 34 year declining Dustin Byfuglien as being our number 1 righty next year.
- TheUltimateJet

The guy was hurt, came back and gave what he had. Blog after blog you keep trying to sell this. No ones buying as it’s the least of the Jets problems.You don’t like him. Got it.

To be fair to Little, he was never carried until Stralman killed him. Once he came back, the underlying numbers dropped, and he was on his way down.

When it comes to Byfuglien, I know I’m not personally going to worry about it until he actually starts showing signs of decline
- Rexypoo

bang on. significant drop in play (after the head hit to a vulnerable player resulting in broken neck)

The guy was hurt, came back and gave what he had. Blog after blog you keep trying to sell this. No ones buying as it’s the least of the Jets problems.You don’t like him. Got it.
- DrunkenCanuck

Its not about liking a player, its about asset management. The Jets are never going to get as high as a return for Byfuglien as they are now. Same goes for Wheeler, if he waives his NMC.

That's a fact. I would trade anyone on this team. If Gretzky is trade-able, than any player is trade-able.

Is there a center that can play with Ehlers and Laine (besides Scheifele) ?

Is there a center that can play with Ehlers and Laine (besides Scheifele) ?
- bennythehat

Two years ago, prior to the Stastny trade, Andrew Copp was beginning to have some success with them. Soon as Stastny was traded here, Coach Maurice put Copp back into a checking role.

Is there a center that can play with Ehlers and Laine (besides Scheifele) ?
- bennythehat

Copp, Lowry, Roslovic with 85, and basically everyone who can play C that isn’t Bryan Little

Its not about liking a player, its about asset management. The Jets are never going to get as high as a return for Byfuglien as they are now. Same goes for Wheeler, if he waives his NMC.

That's a fact. I would trade anyone on this team. If Gretzky is trade-able, than any player is trade-able.
- TheUltimateJet

You are wrong, most teams wouldn’t be handing us some big return for buff or wheels because of their age and contracts. Players who’s return is highest right now are Shiefele, Morrisey and Connor.

You are wrong, most teams wouldn’t be handing us some big return for buff or wheels because of their age and contracts. Players who’s return is highest right now are Shiefele, Morrisey and Connor.
- Ross77

I'd be very surprised if the Jets even considered trading Blake Wheeler (they won't). He is the heart and soul of the Winnipeg Jets - forget any analytics!

Jets who won't be traded - Wheeler, Scheifele, Connor, Ehlers, Morrissey, Hellebuyck, Lowry - and I hope not Roslovic, Appleton (he might be in play but doubt it), Niku, Berdin, D. Samberg, and probably Vesalainen. Need to re-sign Tanev.
The rest? All bets are off.
Jets probably dealt- Trouba, Perrault, Comrie
Feeling that Hawerchuk and M. Hendricks soon join the Jets/Moose staff.

You are wrong, most teams wouldn’t be handing us some big return for buff or wheels because of their age and contracts. Players who’s return is highest right now are Shiefele, Morrisey and Connor.
- Ross77

You are completely missing the point. I am not asking for a big return on Buff. I do feel that an Eastern conference team that feels that it's close, may think that Buff could get them over the top would give us a really good return that we are not going to get next year. And, definitely not the year after.

Also, we traded for Hendricks to "fix our room", three constants have been present since this franchise relocated, Little, Wheeler and Byfuglien. They have had 8 years to create a solid room. Two of the three are in formal leadership positions. It's clear to me where the problem is.

Just some Ultimate thoughts for a Thursday night....

You are completely missing the point. I am not asking for a big return on Buff. I do feel that an Eastern conference team that feels that it's close, may think that Buff could get them over the top would give us a really good return that we are not going to get next year. And, definitely not the year after.

Also, we traded for Hendricks to "fix our room", three constants have been present since this franchise relocated, Little, Wheeler and Byfuglien. They have had 8 years to create a solid room. Two of the three are in formal leadership positions. It's clear to me where the problem is.

Just some Ultimate thoughts for a Thursday night....
- TheUltimateJet

Out of the three you listed Buff is clearly the most important though on ice and also has the shortest term left on his contract. D is our weakest position.
I actually think it’s funny how people think Wheels is so irreplaceable, there are players on this team who could produce as much individual points given the same ice time and power play. His contract in my mind is now our worst. Plus he could be at the Center of all the controversy, far more than little or Buff.

You are completely missing the point. I am not asking for a big return on Buff. I do feel that an Eastern conference team that feels that it's close, may think that Buff could get them over the top would give us a really good return that we are not going to get next year. And, definitely not the year after.

Also, we traded for Hendricks to "fix our room", three constants have been present since this franchise relocated, Little, Wheeler and Byfuglien. They have had 8 years to create a solid room. Two of the three are in formal leadership positions. It's clear to me where the problem is.

Just some Ultimate thoughts for a Thursday night....
- TheUltimateJet

I think the argument here is that Byfuglien is by far more valuable to us as a player than he is as a trade chip.
What would you rather have? Dominant number #1 dman Byfuglien? Or the return for a 34 year old with a $7.8 million cap hit that just played half a season?

I think the argument here is that Byfuglien is by far more valuable to us as a player than he is as a trade chip.
What would you rather have? Dominant number #1 dman Byfuglien? Or the return for a 34 year old with a $7.8 million cap hit that just played half a season?
- Rexypoo

I would rather have the return. This "dominant #1 d-man" has gotten us to the playoffs in 3 of his 9 years with the franchise, and we have won 2 out of 5 playoff series with him. The league is increasingly becoming a young mans league and its only a matter of time before time catches up to him.

I would rather have the return. This "dominant #1 d-man" has gotten us to the playoffs in 3 of his 9 years with the franchise, and we have won 2 out of 5 playoff series with him. The league is increasingly becoming a young mans league and its only a matter of time before time catches up to him.
- TheUltimateJet

You can’t link one player to the success of an entire team. Every single player on this team saw a regression last season, so I suppose we should blow it up?

You can’t link one player to the success of an entire team. Every single player on this team saw a regression last season, so I suppose we should blow it up?
- Rexypoo

Not at all. This is where GM Cheveldayoff can either be proactive or reactive.

He can be proactive and try to deal a player that is most likely to regress and get a return for him. Or do nothing and watch the player regress and get little or no return for him.

You can’t link one player to the success of an entire team. Every single player on this team saw a regression last season, so I suppose we should blow it up?
- Rexypoo

I also think that Brent Seabrook is a great comparison to Byfuglien. Two years ago, he was still playing at elite levels. That's when he was 31 turning 32. His play in the last two season dropped off considerably and the drop was dramatic.