After a disappointing end to the 2022-23, there could be major changes in place for the Winnipeg Jets. Following the elimination of the Vegas Golden Knights, Jets Head Coach Rick Bowness gave a very public critique of the team’s performance.[1] Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff subsequently downplayed Bowness’s remarks, but he did not rule out the possibility of making some roster changes this summer.
There has been speculation that long-time forward Mark Scheifele could be traded this offseason. Scheifele will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season, and he previously raised concerns about the club’s direction.[2] In addition, star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will also be an unrestricted free agent after next year and there is the possibility that he gets traded this offseason as well.
There is offseason tension brewing between the players, management, and the coaching staff. Winnipeg is currently in a position where the team is good enough to make the playoffs, but likely not good enough to win a Stanley Cup. As a result, Winnipeg is constantly drafting in the latter half of the first round of the NHL draft, which means they are generally not getting the top young talent in each draft. Key players Kyle Connor and Hellebuyck have both publicly stated that they are not interested in participating in a rebuild. Hellebuyck, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 season, stated he would not sign a long-term deal in Winnipeg if he feels the team is going to rebuild and not compete every season.[3]
On top of the uncertainty regarding the team’s core players, Winnipeg players have also voiced their frustration with Bowness’s comments following the 4-1 series loss to the Golden Knights. Following the loss, Bowness said he was “disappointed and disgusted” with the team’s performance in the series. Blake Wheeler, who was captain of the Jets for six seasons before Bowness striped it from him, said in response, “He could have been honest with us. We could have had those discussions behind closed doors, so I didn’t agree with how he handled himself after that game. I think he got caught up in the moment. We don’t expect him to be perfect all the time, and people make mistakes. … Regardless of what the message was, that could have been done more appropriately. To us, not to you (the media).”[4]
Bowness attempted to walk his postgame comments back by stating, “‘Disgusted’ was probably too strong a word. One of my many faults is that I’m too emotional and that I wear my heart on my sleeve. That being said, I criticize myself for the choice of words. The message, the clear message, is one that I will never accept that kind of an effort in a game like that. I’ll never accept that.” He further stated, “I still have to be blunt. I still have to be honest. There’s not going to be any grey area. Again, there’s uncomfortable conversations you have, and people don’t want to hear those things and I get it. … If I feel that I have to share my feelings and get everything on the table, they’re going to hear it.”
On Sunday, it was announced that Bowness would return next season. While he did soften his comments following the series loss, it remains to be seen whether players will be willing to buy back in. The Jets are currently faced with several important decisions with regards to core players who will be unrestricted free agents after next season, including Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Blake Wheeler, Nino Niederreiter, Brenden Dillon, Dylan DeMelo. It seems the Jets’ chances at a Stanley Cup run have passed and there is tension between the players and the coaching staff, especially following Bowness’s recent comments. It will be interesting to see whether the Jets are able to resolve these issues and get back on the same page, or whether this is the beginning of a team that is giving up its Stanley Cup aspirations for a full fledged rebuild.
Featured Image Retrieved From: http://www.theathletic.com
[1] https://thehockeynews.com/news/big-changes-could-be-in-store-for-the-winnipeg-jets
[2] https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10074662-the-top-trade-landing-spots-for-jets-forward-mark-scheifele
[3] https://nhlrumors.com/winnipeg-jets-players-do-not-want-a-rebuild/2023/05/02/
[4] https://www.nhl.com/news/rick-bowness-returning-as-winnipeg-jets-coach-next-season/c-344040690
Leave a Reply