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Game day & Jets Question and Answer Guy

December 6, 2016, 11:36 AM ET [14 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It's game day against Detroit here in Winnipeg. The Jets have just come off two big road wins against Central Division rivals and right now against an injured Red Wings team on the road no one really knows what to expect from the team.

Let's be frank, fans are optimistic but positive exuberance is not the most frequently seen trait anymore. Oh the fans want to believe but they are not an unyielding faithful anymore. They have concerns, and they have questions. So with a simple and direct homage to Patti Dawn Swanson, here is the question and answer guy.


Question guy: Hey why are the Jets not playing Kyle Connor, what are they going to do with him?

Answer guy: Remember when Connor should have won the Hobey Baker award and after having that stellar season in Michigan? Remember when he was going to be the star that stepped into the lineup this season? Remember when the Jets didn't have the second overall draft pick? Those were good times but Laine changed everything.

Questions guy: So why no send Connor down to the Moose? Look what Roslovic is doing down there!

Answer guy: Are you telling me Connor should be getting minutes and building his confidence, because I sure hope that's what you mean. I can't explain what's happening because as far as anyone knows this is a draft and develop organization and it seems Connor has fallen through the cracks and now went from less minutes than Chris Scoreburn to no minutes at all. Has no one bothered to ask the coach about this?

Question guy: Hey, what happens when Scheifele comes back?

Answer guy: Well some one has to come out and that some one will likely be Alexander the not so great. Burmistrov is now a placeholder for injured players and deservedly so as his play has been troubling, puzzling and basically brutal so far this season. But here's the other thing, perhaps we should let Scheifele sit on the second line for a bit while we see if Little and Laine should be a pair for the longer than Scheif's injury.

Question guy: Can the real Connor Hellebuyck please stand up?

Answer guy: What???? You didn't expect their to be bumps on the road with future hall of fame goaltender? Helle has a total of almost 50 NHL games he's going to be inconsistent at times and hopefully he reduces those off nights. Here's the thing, you don't know you have Carey Price until you have him, that's the issue with goalies. They are streaky and the goal is to get them in a place where the good streaks outlast the bad ones. But really, isn't this team just like the goaltending, off and on?

Question guy: Can the Jets ever improve their defence?

Anser guy: Of course they can but that would mean the GM has to do something because who is playing better than Chiarot, Postma, and Stuart on the Moose right now? I guess you haven't noticed that steep dark crevasse of talent drop off on the blue line after Josh Morrissey. Now that he's an NHLer there's only crumbs left in the cupboard. Sure would be nice if Tucker Poolman was good enough to even be named to the roster long list of USA hockey for the world juniors wouldn't it?

Question guy: Is the coach losing the room?

Answer guy: Why is this a question? All coaches make bad decisions but what has Paul Maurice done that puts him on the hot seat as some close observer from Ottawa would say? He's got an injured roster since the first game, has a goalie with all the pressure of post-Pavelec elation, and wilting bouquet of players to fill out his bottom six and defence pairing. This is not a perfectly tuned or talented roster. There were three rookies starting a second and third year player as well and that's not all because of the coach. Want to remember what a lost club looks like- go see January 2014 Jets under Claude Noel and then be thankful this club looks nothing like that.

Question guy: When does this team get better?

Answer guy: When they start winning more games than losing. I think you mean 'how' right? Same thing except the role players and rookies have to do their jobs, not the jobs they want to do. Same for the goalies, you have to play the game the coaches have designed and play it for the entire game. That falls on the vets too.

Question guy: Isn't that the coach's job?

Answer guy: Of course it is but again, see injuries and talent. Some people have assumed that because the Jets are a draft and develop team the draft picks will all come from golden eggs. They don't, they take time and require dedication from the organization to develop into serviceable players. The coach has influence but the organization has lots too and when the two aren't on the same page anymore you will then start seeing the heat.

Question guy: What happens tonight against Detroit?

Answer guy: Wings go up early and the Jets come back for a 4-2 win, finally they put a small streak together.
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