The Winnipeg Jets collapse has brought more questions about the future than hope about the postseason, but while we wait for the latter to sort itself out, we can consider the former.
The Winnipeg Jets made a fantastic decision when they hired Paul Maurice to replace Claude Noel midway through their third season of their rebirth.
He improved the team then, and brought them to three playoff appearances in five seasons, including these two consecutive ones. The Winnipeg Jets were at the cusp of the Stanley Cup Final with Maurice at the helm, and few doubted him.
But then this year happened. See, we’ve already seen what the Jets are capable of. We know how talented the team is and can be. But when a young, well-constructed roster struggles like this, the blame goes to the head coach.
I’ve seen more calls for Maurice’s job than I can count in the last few weeks. And while I think they’re mostly a bit hasty, and from impatient fans, they’re not super far off base.
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I think it’s almost a zero percent chance that Maurice gets fired this offseason. I think the Jets would have to get swept by the Blues, and in embarrassing fashion for that to happen.
But if the team starts slow next season, the seat will get hotter for Maurice. We spend time talking about how this season doesn’t close the Jets window. But it won’t be open forever, and the team can’t afford to waste time.
If Maurice’s message isn’t getting through to the players, he has to be replaced. Is that the case? I’m not certain. I don’t think we can blame Maurice for injuries, but to an extent, some of the underperforming players are on him.
Patrik Laine having another disappointing stretch will certainly raise cries for new blood, someone that can get through to the youngsters. At some point though, the onus is on Laine to improve. I’m confident that he’ll be a better player moving forward than he was this season, but that also remains to be seen.
The Winnipeg Jets could go with fresh blood and hire a rookie coach, someone younger who connects with the players better. A hiring along the lines that MLB has started trending toward.
I’m not going to attempt to speculate who that could be, though I know Sheldon Keefe of Toronto’s AHL squad and Jay Leach of Boston’s are highly regarded.
Pascal Vincent, the coach of the Manitoba Moose, is another option, since he’s well…in the organization, and he won the AHL Coach of the Year Award last season.
Another option is another vet coach. Paul Maurice is seventh on the NHL’s all time wins list, you know. Another guy that I heard fans clamoring for is second on that list, Joel Quenneville. The three time Stanley Cup champion was hired away by the Florida Panthers, though.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t coaches out there. Darryl Sutter is allegedly retired, so that’s likely out. But what about Alain Vigneault? Vigneault isn’t known for his patience with young players, but he’s a rock solid coach and 12th on the NHL’s all time wins list.
He brought Vancouver and the NY Rangers to the Cup Final, but fell both times. Speaking of the Rangers, Lindy Ruff would be an option, and he’s currently an assistant there. You would think the chance to win a Cup as a head coach would lure him away.
Quenneville would’ve been a rock solid target, but hey, the Jets couldn’t exactly move on him now, and Florida pounced (Get it?). I’m not sure why he said he wanted a contender and then signed with Florida, but money talks.
Either way, this will be a #thingtowatch moving forward. I like Maurice. I think he’s done a great job. Hopefully a healthy blueline will give him some leeway in the postseason. Connor Hellebuyck faced the most shots of any goaltender, that isn’t gonna fly.
But, uh, go Jets go?