Whether it was the extension given to the head coach or the player was simply resigned to move away from the NHL after a tough last season on his entry level deal- the simple reality is the Winnipeg Jets lost a player they could ill afford to lose.
Today it has been anounced that the rumours are true and Alexander Burmistrov has signed a 2 year deal in the KHL with AK Bars. So long Burmi, we hardly got to know.
What we did know was that the player had talent but he also had a lack of maturity. Not that it ranked up their with the Tyler Seguin variety but he needed to show more than what the Jets were seeing. It was no secret among those close the team that the player and coach butted heads and this is away from the benching that lasted 5 games this past March. The two were incompatible and after some consideration on Burmistrov's part he must have felt it was better to give it a go at home.
This news is nothing new though,
Burmi Jersey a collector's item
If you want to know where the rubber hit road with Burmistrov and Noel
Read This
The player is talented and while he is not a true scorer he could drive the play for the scorers, though he was rarely given that chance. When given the chance though a selfish style of play developed and that put him right back in the doghouse with Noel.
Let's remember why Noel is the coach of the Winnipeg Jets, he came from the Nashville system and that's the model TNSE wants to model itself after. Noel worked the Preds farm team in Milwaukee and knew a thing or two about young players. What he didn't know was how to manage a player like Burmistrov and it appears he may not get that chance again with the young Russian.
However you look at this situation there is very little immediate upside for the Winnipeg Jets as they lose a player they need. The team is not deep enough to have first round picks walk away from it, nor does it have many players of Burmistrov's skill waiting to take his spot.
The Jets will retain his rights should he decide to to return to the NHL but one has to wonder what conditions will make that event ever happen. The removal of Noel? A different roster? Or a trade to another team?
All of which might happen in due course but none of which help the Jets this coming season. While they have temporarily lost a talented yet undisciplined player, the fans lost some one they could identify with because few players ever want to go out on a cold December night in Winnipeg and do
THIS.
One interesting scenario might be that the Jets take a harder look at Damien Brunner or Grabovski. Either would be an upgrade but how aggressive will the Jets be to fill this hole?
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