Your fantastic Winnipeg Jets just finished up their best season in franchise history, and the youth movement was a big part. It would be a shame not to recognize the man in charge of putting this team together.
The Winnipeg Jets drafting and development needs to be recognized for this run. Yes, they were terrible from the outset of their relocation at the beginning of the decade. But the sale of the team marked a clearing of the front office, and the new regime had to start from scratch. We can’t all take the Vegas route.
BUT! Since that time, if we start with the 2011 draft (The Winnipeg Jets first go-round), their first round picks are as follows: Mark Scheifele at number seven overall, Jacob Trouba at nine, Josh Morrissey at 13, Nikolaj Ehlers at nine, Kyle Connor at 17 and Patrik Laine at two.
That’s six straight years of not missing on a first round pick. Kevin Cheveldayoff was recently named a finalist for the general manager of the year award, and he’s done a really fantastic job of building this team. Steve Yzerman and George McPhee are the other candidates for the award.
McPhee, in all likelihood, will win. He probably should win. Taking a team from literal non-existence and bringing them to the cusp of a Stanley Cup in one year is a damn fine accomplishment.
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But hey, lots of teams have years and years and never assemble and squad that can make the Conference Finals. The Capitals have been the best team in the Eastern Conference for a few years and have just made it for the first time.
Kevin Cheveldayoff’s first stint as a General Manager is a smashing success, no doubt. The player development team the Winnipeg Jets and he have assembled have created a winning franchise in Manitoba.
Cheveldayoff’s career began on a somber tone. Well, his playing career did. After being a sixteenth overall pick by the Islanders in 1988, he never played a minute on NHL ice. A knee injury made certain he wouldn’t ever get a chance.
It’s something out of a video game, literally. In NBA 2K18, you start off the MyGM gameplay mode as a player who suffers a career-ending knee injury before joining the front office. Cheveldayoff spent time in the now-defunct IHL and AHL before becoming the assistant GM to Stan Bowman in Chicago.
After two seasons in Illinois, the Winnipeg Jets decided he was right to lead their franchise as they entered a new era. It’s hard to argue with their call.
Next: What Could've Been: Laine Vs Ovie
We should celebrate Chevy’s award nomination and bang-up job heading up the Jets. I mean, they could have the draft successes that Edmonton’s had in the past. He won’t win the NHL’s GM of the Year award. But he’s the GM in our hearts (sappy voice over).