Winnipeg Jets: Three Talking Points From Year End Player Interviews
The Winnipeg Jets held their end of season player interviews. Here are three talking points from the Jets’ year end interviews.
The Winnipeg Jets held their year end player interviews Wednesday for the media who cover the team. In all, 15 players spoke to the media via Zoom about the season, playoffs, and what is to come for the following season.
The Jets lost in overtime on Monday night on a goal by Tyler Toffoli, completing a very convincing four-game sweep by the Montreal Canadiens. Kieran Hurley has a great recap of the game and series here. The Canadiens were the better team in the series and the Jets never really threatened to take control of even a period, let alone an entire game.
Were it not for the heroics of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the series may have been even more one sided in favor of the Canadiens. The Canadiens move on to face the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche series, and the Jets are left with time to contemplate what went wrong.
Today during the interviews, the Winnipeg Jets players were understandably disappointed but were united in their belief in the core of the team moving forward.
Later in the week, we should get some insights into the bigger picture plan for next season when Coach Paul Maurice and General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff speak to the media. Today, the players presented a unified front supporting the core of the team, and reinforcing the belief that the Jets are close to taking the next step in being a contender.
Here are three key takeaways from the media interviews with the players on Wednesday:
3. The Jets Were Dealing With Injuries
Some Jets players disclosed more specifics than they normally do pertaining to injuries, and some merely confirmed that they were dealing with injuries. None of the players used injuries as an excuse for the Montreal series, but it is clear that the team was not entirely healthy.
Paul Stastny confirmed that he was dealing with some type of injury in the Edmonton series and that it got worse in the Montreal series.
#NHLJets F Paul Stastny would not specify what kept him out, said it first came up before the #Oilers series - as far as free agency goes, he’s not in a rush to get something done, feels the Jets are in a good spot and he would definitely consider returning to Winnipeg.
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) June 9, 2021
Nikolaj Ehlers went into the specifics of his injuries, and also cemented his status as the toughest Winnipeg Jet.
#NHLJets Nikolaj Ehlers says he played through a posterior labrum tear for a good chunk of this season, then suffered a rib fracture which took him out of the lineup near the end of the year.
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) June 9, 2021
He's one tough customer, that's for sure.
As Jets fans witnessed during his first shift of game one against the Canadiens, Dylan DeMelo sustained a significant groin injury on a freak play.
Dylan DeMelo said he suffered a low grade strain/pull of the groin.
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) June 9, 2021
Said he was crushed to miss the series against the Habs.
Thought he could have pushed to be back for game 6 or 7 but that was aggressive given it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to heal.#NHLJets
Captain Blake Wheeler also confirmed what the media suspected all season, that he had multiple injuries which he is going to look into during the off season.
Blake Wheeler says he's going to get some things looked at, injury wise, but everyone in the Jets room is playing through something. Doesn't say what he's got, doesn't love the end of season injury info dump.
— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) June 9, 2021
2. Pierre Luc Dubois Was Disappointed With His Season
While it was difficult to see a goal scoring talent like Patrik Laine request a trade from the Jets that was eventually granted, I was very excited with the player we received in return, Pierre Luc Dubois.
On paper, Dubois was the perfect fit for the Jets – a big, fast, hard working center who excelled in playoff hockey. Dubois had an unprecedented year in terms of challenges due to turmoil with his previous team, being traded to a new team, Covid quarantine restrictions, multiple injuries, and the pressure of playing in a market where there is much more media scrutiny than Columbus.
In short, Dubois had a disappointing season by all measurements. The good news is that he knows it, did not use any excuses, and committed to working hard over the summer to come back next season as the player the Jets traded for.
PLD says was not injured. That had no bearing on his season he admitted was a disappointment.
— Sean Reynolds (@snseanreynolds) June 9, 2021
Dubois says he’s been through a lot this year, admits it was hard to adjust but says he has no one to blame with himself. “One year doesn’t define you.” His confidence won’t change because of one disappointing season.
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) June 9, 2021
The Jets really need Dubois to be the player they traded for next season. I’m optimistic that he has the skills and motivation to do so.
1. Mark Scheifele Has Not Changed His Position on His Suspension
The biggest surprise today for the assembled media may have been how adamant Mark Scheifele was that the NHL Department of Player Safety was wrong in suspending him four games during the playoffs.
I have stated that while I do think Scheifele deserved a suspension for the reckless hit, a four-game suspension seemed excessive given the precedent that the DOPS had set with previous recent incidents that were more egregious in my opinion.
The Jets were never going to win a playoff series against the Canadiens without their best forward, so essentially the decision ended any chances the team had. Scheifele expressed his disagreement immediately after the decision, and his position has not changed three games later.
"I thought I was going to be tried to be shut down by Phillip Danault," says Mark Scheifele. "Instead it was department of player safety that shut me down."
— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) June 9, 2021
"I still believe it was excessive. They knocked me out of the series. I didn't get the chance to battle with my teammates. I'm going to stop talking before I get fined. I'll leave it as it is." #NHLJets Mark Scheifele, still frustrated over his 4-game suspension, speaking now.
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) June 9, 2021
Scheifele concluded the media session by saying all the right things about working hard over the summer and believing in the core of the team. It is clear that he may forgive, but won’t forget in terms of his suspension, particularly as he will be suspended for the first game of next season to complete his four-game penalty.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: How do you feel about what the Winnipeg Jets players said or did not say in their year end media interviews? Leave your comments below!
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