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Winnipeg- April 3 2013 Post Trade Deadline
It seems silly to me that fans have such emotional responses to a situation they have no control over, however that seemed to be the theme for the Winnipeg Jets’ fans at the NHL trade deadline.
Don’t look now but a love affair that began in May of 2011 may have hit its first love hurdle. Instead of sexy lingerie or silk boxer shorts the fans are only seeing flannel pajamas on their object of desire. It’s sparked emotion and calls of ‘This is not what I paid for when I signed my 5 year season ticket agreement!’
I’ve got new for you Jets fans, this is exactly what you signed up for and it’s what you should have expected.
The Jets were not a new team when they arrived in Winnipeg. They were a mismanaged financial albatross from Atlanta with one post-season appearance to show for their existence since 1998. The reason they were in that state is because the play on the ice never, ever got to the point where they could command support to the tune of the revenue needed to operate a team.
Marian Hossa, Dany Heatley, Kozlov, Marc Savard, and Ilya Kovalchuk, are just a few names that passed through Atlanta with little to show for their time there. This is only a 12-year-old franchise so let’s not say they didn’t have any stars, they did.
Yet all this seems forgotten on the fans in Winnipeg today. Today, at least for many fans, was the last chance GM Kevin Chevaldayoff could address any of he holes in the line, and there a more than a few.
Mired in a 4 game losing streak where each night it appears the play from many Jets gets more apathetic, the fans felt this was a time to plan for the future or address the present. In the end Chevy picked up Mike Santorelli off of waivers from Florida.
It wasn’t enough for many fans.
Few seem to remember that most pundits picked the Jets at 12th in the East or lower. By points they sit 9th right now, but third overall due to leading the hapless SE division.
So what was Chevy supposed to do today?
Solve the play on the defense, which has been riddled with injuries?
Find a right wing for Evander Kane that would stay with the team beyond this season?
Improve the bottom six forwards?
That’s a lot to ask for any GM let alone one with only 2-4 real top quality prospects in his system.
Face it Jets fans, the well is dry for the team formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers, and it’s going to take some time for it to fill up. Yes there are draft picks but there is risk/reward in dealing those because what if any acquired players does not want to stick it out in Winnipeg?
Fact is that despite the raucous building and passionate fans, Winnipeg is not at the top of the list of desirable locations for players. TNSE knows this and they face that reality every time they try to make a deal. They need leverage and acquiring high priced soon-to-be UFA talent gives them none.
So what happened today should not be surprising to anyone, no matter how passionate a fan you are. Chevy stuck to his plan, he kept his picks because there was no deal that made sense and he kept what few assets he had to trade. He's ready for another battle and has no scars from this one.
By doing so he sent a message too: you guys got us here,(3rd in the East) you guys show us you can get us home. In 12 games we’ll know if the Jets made the post season and the hungry, long suffering fans taste post season hockey again for the first time since Jets 1.0 left Winnipeg.
If they can’t hold on and finish up in the top 8 Chevy, and the fans, will know why. They will see who is willing to sacrifice and play to make something happen, to be the best. They will also have a clear understanding of who didn’t and that information is just as valuable as knowing who stepped up.
The vision and goal for the Winnipeg Jets is to build to compete for a Stanley Cup championship. Today was an opportunity to derail that goal as much as it was a chance to get closer to it. Chevy has said, “it is not win at any cost,” and he reaffirmed that sentiment today. That’s what happened in Atlanta and there’s no reason to make those mistakes again.
Enjoy the stretch drive.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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