The Winnipeg Jets making the playoffs didn’t seem too farfetched for those of us following the team. A young core taking a step forward was not unprecedented, and a Wild Card berth was a possibility. But who saw this coming?
The Winnipeg Jets are a very good hockey team. Nobody is arguing this now. But how did we get here? At what point did this happen? I’ve been following the team since the outset, and, as a writer, you hope for the best. You look for good storylines.
A rebuilding team taking a big step forward ahead of time is a storyline. So you’re hopeful that a good start continues. And you want the young, plucky team to be more like the 2017 Yankees than a hot start that fizzles.
To say the Winnipeg Jets are overachieving wouldn’t be accurate. They look this good. Nobody seems to be playing over their head. Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck took real steps forward into being great players. They’re outpacing expectations, but not overachieving. Just achieving quickly.
In my second piece at Jets White Out, we took note of Connor Hellebuyck and opined he could be the franchise goalie they’ve never had. Even wishing he’d bring the cup back to Canada. At that point, that’s all it was. Wishful thinking. But that was six months ago, and he’s shown no signs of showing down.
More from Editorials
- Winnipeg Jets vs. Blackhawks Round 3: 5 Things We learned
- Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck is the Best Goalie of the Last 5 Years
- A Patrik Laine Trade Redux Prior to Winnipeg Jets vs. Columbus
- Winnipeg Jets Doppelgangers: Look-A-Likes PART II
- Can Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets Actually Win the Norris?
Hellebuyck is a Vezina Finalist and one win away from bringing the Winnipeg Jets to the Conference Finals. Even being optimistic wasn’t that rosy a prediction. This is a good team with a big window. What a job by the front office and player development squads
I would like if we could all, however, sit back and appreciate all this for just a moment. Forget the thought that Nashville is tough and could come back. The Winnipeg Jets are in the Western Conference Semifinals and one win away from advancing.
NHL.com had seventeen of their writers make predictions for this season, and only two had the Winnipeg Jets making the playoffs. Both as wild card teams. TWO! None of them had the team make any noise in the playoffs.
And yet when the dust settled, they held the second-highest point total. They’re one win away from besting the top team in the West and taking on either San Jose or Vegas in the Conference finals. I get it, I do. I didn’t expect a playoff team. Heck, they were in last place just two seasons ago.
The team has almost forty more points than they did that season. The turnaround is remarkable, and we should all be basking in the joy. Don’t be bitter at being the underrated, plucky team. Be hopeful, be thrilled and be proud knowing this team isn’t going anywhere. Even if their last game is the one a few days away, they’re here to stay for the foreseeable future.
A great coach in Paul Maurice. Solid young stars in Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele. Veteran leadership in Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler. A top-tier netminder in Connor Hellebuyck. What more could you ask for?
Next: Jets Destroy Nashville, Take 3-2 Lead
I suppose a Stanley Cup north of the border is something you could strive for. But, y’know, I wouldn’t worry about it. Who knows if they’ll win this season. It seems Canada’s best chance for a Cup, this year and moving forward, lies in Manitoba. Just don’t look back in anger at the doubts.