Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

So it Begins: Camp Opens & Maurice Speaks

September 18, 2014, 3:33 PM ET [7 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
So it begins

Paul Maurice took centre stage today in front of a new podium to address the media and fans as training camp opened for the Winnipeg Jets. While the Jets players underwent physicals and testing it was a Maurice who set the tone of what is to come for the next 15 days.

The head coach was direct, forcefull at times, and very clear about what fans should expect through this camp. He cited fitness, hard work, capacity, and intensity as things he wants to see and his players to experience. There was some humour and brevity at times but he was mainly serious and ready to get down to business.

He quickly dealt with the issues around Wheeler and Kane and Twiter saying it was a non-issue and he found “Kaner’s tweet funny, you can find me at the top of the circle was classic”. His other humourous moment came when Gary Lawless asked if Dustin Byfgulien would be starting training camp as a forward, “and finishing it,” responded the coach.

The core of what Maurice said though was not something new to Jets fans, defense identity and goaltending were the areas this team needs to improve. In one quote Maurice said something many Jets fans probably thought was no longer a question when he said, “We’re still in the discovery part of it. It’s an unusual dynamic. We’re finding out who we are.” It was about identity, the issues that seems to rear it’s head every fall, or beginning of season for the franchise.

Is this a fresh start with Maurice, or is this discovery phase based around new principles and standards that were introduced last year? The free agents (few) have been signed, the RFAs retained, and prospects and draft picks ready to compete but for what? A spot on the Jets as they know it or for something different?

Maurice spent considerable time talking about conditioning and work during training camp. “We’re going to work our butts off in training camp to get better,” was his direct message, to anyone, that cared on where and how the process from a .500 club to a contender would start. If you go right to the start Maurice laid out his goal when he said, “Start the process of this team and this organization becoming a contending team, a top 10 team.”

It’s what his predecessor failed to do and while the coach has changed the problems that have to be fixed have not. Maurice got more specific when he stated “we have to become a better defensive hockey club,” and he’s right. But he also knows that the team has to be better between the pipes and was asked about his number one goalie too. “We need Ondrej to be every bit better as every other player, not any more”.

One thing Maurice did is not single anyone out more than others and why should he? It’s a fresh start under his guidance, methods and tutelage. Putting Pavelec, a player who most certainly has experienced confidence highs and lows, on the hot seat to start is counter-productive. Perhaps he knows the issues, the challenges, and dynamics that this group has faced internally and externally and sees no benefit to dividing what may be an already divided group any further. The message was far from direct, in fact it might have been almost subliminal, but Maurice may know he has to bring a team back together before he can build them up.

That being said he gave Pavelec a strong vote of confidence when he said, “I have confidence in this man and his abilities to do it”. That was for the players as much as the fans. No one will be blaming or pointing fingers on his watch unless it’s Maurice himself and today he clearly gave himself room to do so at a later date with any player on the team.

The good news with Maurice was he was clear on what has to be fixed. “All three systems we’re going to run this year are different from last year.” He was not going into specifics when asked, reminding the media in attendance that they also had jobs to do in regards to finding information.

He continued on about strategy and general ideas about player usage fitness and such but was cautionary about the process, “I can scream at them, but I can’t get them to push past that comfort point, that’s on the leadership”. Once again it appears there’s a call to lead on this team, to set the example and move forward in a new, better direction. One where no player is above another in what is expected. Maurice was clear about what training camp is going to be used for, “Use this time for what it’s worth- increase capacity to work”.

These are lofty goals set by the coach and organization but the onus is on the players and Paul Maurice was very clear on that part. It’s their team but they have to build it and make it more than the sum of the parts, something Claude Noel could not do. It’s going to take a lot of work and Maurice knows this but do the players…or the fans?
Join the Discussion: » 7 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Peter Tessier
» Who are the Jets and time for me to let go...
» Jets bet Oilers in scoreless but exciting game.
» Digestion Problems: Jets edition
» Laine shines in 5-2 win over Wild
» Hellebuyck, Laine and Defense shine in 4-1 win over Penguins