One of the topics at the end of the season was around some of the personnel not on the ice-that being the coaching staff. While it would be hard to argue one way or another whether to give Maurice an extension based on his current record without considering all the factors in his tenure to date.

He's a polarizing figure for the fan base as one side supports him fully believing the winning will come when the organization is ready while the other side feels Maurice talks a good game but cannot produce results.

It would be hard to disagree with the first part of that second sentiment, Maurice talks a very good game. He is articulate, forthright and direct when speaking with a sly sense of humour. He is very convincing but will that presentation trickle down to results?

Maurice has had success with coaching but he has had a ton of failure too if you look at his loss record and it begs the question- what happens to teams after Maurice has left them.

During Maurice's tenure in Hartford/Carolina 1995-2004 he had two division titles and one trip to the Eastern conference titles. He was eventually fired in the 2003-04 season after an 8-12-8-2 record to be replaced by Peter Laviolette. When the lockout struck the league lost a season but it returned and Laviolette took the Hurricane to the Stanley Cup championship and a Jack Adams. That was the next season.

Maurice landed in with the Toronto Marlies after the lockout and was promoted to head coach in the 2006-07 season replacing Pat Quinn who failed to reach the playoffs the previous season. Maurice had a total of 91 points and 40 wins in his first year but missed the playoffs by a single point. The next season the team failed again and Maurice was replaced by Cliff Fletcher. The Leafs failed again the following season and we all know the level of suffering that has happened since.

Maurice went back to Carolina and interestingly enough took over from Peter Laviolette who had replaced Maurice. This tenure in Carolina went from 2008-2012. Here Maurice finished 6th in the east and took the Hurricanes to the eastern conference finals and lost to eventual Stanley Cup winner the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the Hurricanes struggled in each of the next two seasons and failed to make the post season in the 2011-12 season Maurice was fired again after an 8-13-4 start.

The question here becomes did interesting based on his exit and entry from and to the Hurricanes. Did he do anything that Laviolette benefitted from or did he benefit from Laviolette’s work upon his return?

The same situation happened in Winnipeg with Maurice’s first full season with the Jets they squeaked into the playoffs and then the team seemed to regress the next two seasons. There’s a trend though, the team which received Maurice after firing their coach had the ‘typical bump’ even if it happened next season and then regressed. The point here is that it appears Maurice has no staying power and one has to wonder if that is happening in Winnipeg with this tenure.

Maurice is a shining example of a coach who presents so well but his results come under question over time in almost all of his coaching situations yet by all accounts he will be given an extension soon. The Jets are at the point where it’s no question that something has to give in terms of the winning trajectory. Is doubling down on Maurice the right move given that he seems to be following his historical coaching trend and results? The fact that he has this year to prove himself to be able to do more with an incredibly talented roster should be the team’s moment for pause.

Consider that Maurice goes in a lame duck this season does that hurt the Jets or motivate Maurice? Moreover, do the Jets simply flip a switch as an organization to stop developing youth and start winning?

There are many obstacles to becoming a winning team and a consistent winning team, but in Winnipeg the coach and his results history/trend are a concern and issue. An issue that should not be rewarded with an extension right now no matter how convincing and articulate he may be- it’s the on-ice and win loss column that matters most and that should not be forgotten.

Join the Discussion: » 14 Comments » Post New Comment

» 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