Twitter was alive last night and if you were a Winnipeg Jets apologist it was probably a tough place to be. Fans were upset, concerned and downright confused after another example 'all-too familiar' game play that came up short in another one-goal game.
Regardless of the fancy stats, where the Jets carried the play in both Corsi and Fenwick events, the Jets found another way to lose a game that statistically they should not have lost. Especially when they had a 2-0 lead after the first 6 minutes of play.
Hooray for Blake Wheeler.
The big forward scored two goal last night, the opening goal of the game and the eventual game-tying goal in the third period. About time many would say but he was also good away from the ice. In a post-game scrum Wheeler had the best quote when he said the team had been 'taking positives out of losses for too long'. BINGO.
This isn't a young team, it's not an old team, it's a balanced team of vets, journeymen and youth some with Stanley Cup rings. In fact when looking at the so-called core of Bogosian, Kane, Ladd, Little, Wheeler, Enstrom and Buff one could argue that the peak years of Ladd (turned 28 yesterday) Enstrom and Buff are being lost due to having no support beneath them.
Take your pick of whatever narrative, point of view, perspective or what have you it all boils down to this: The Jets are not good enough.
There I said it. I accept it and I believe it to be the truth. I also believe that even with Bogosian and Kane back in the line up this team still is not where it needs to be to contend for a playoff spot.
I think most fans are now coming to this conclusion to because so many of the conversations I have and read all are asking 'why'. Why are the Jets the same middling group of mediocrity after money spent and roster turnover and three drafts?
I offer you this:
It's what fans are going through trying to decide how to look at this team and where the buck finally stops. Pick your point of entry and I defy you to not end up at the top where accountability finally rests.
It begs the question- who or what becomes the catalyst for change because after 163 games as the Winnipeg Jets this team has progressed no further and also regressed no further. One has to wonder if the management group is taking positives out of not having become significantly worse.
With nearly one game short of 2 full seasons played in Winnipeg, a significant roster overhaul, and a commitment to a core group of players the results stay the same. It's the cycle and when or how does it become broken.
One might suspect that answer comes sooner. If the Calgary Flames can gut their two GMs and are only 5 points behind the Jets with two games in hand one would be fair in thinking the Jets have under-performed much better.
Until that happens though get used to the Winnipeg Jets Cycle of Life.
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