Peter Tessier: Who is Watching Kevin Cheveldayoff? Draft and development may not just be a roster strategy for TNSE.

i'm keeping an eye on him, pete.

don't worry.



(i really like to say cheveldayoff)

Media writes about what gives them hits. It pays to be controversial because you don't need to so any actual research or have any true hockey knowledge.

That's why this Evander Kane stuff keeps coming up when both GM and player have publically tried to shut it down.

Journalism is dead and has been replaced by leeches. I am not a Jets fan, but living in Winnipeg it would be a breath of fresh air to read about the development of the youth on the team for example.

That would require some actual work though. Winnipeg will never be a high grade destination for FA. It would however have a better chance at being so if the media wasn't trying to compete with that of the Leafs.

Good blog. Valid points.

I like this article, very well written.

Just thinking a little bit more about Chevy and the Jets. I think the Jets organization as a whole showed insecurity when the franchise relocated from Atlanta to Winnipeg. Thrashers players were handed the keys to the city without ever proving anything. The organization essentially catered to player demands. The franchise still lacks what it did when it first relocated here and that is "Identity".

The Core is the same as it was when the franchise was in Atlanta. I am tired about hearing from the Free Press and the Sun as to how Ladd, Little and Wheeler are first line hockey players when they truly are not. No one from the core group has been traded.

I keep hearing about how we have a draft and develop strategy. If that's the case, then why is Chevy not trading for draft picks? Remember only 2 picks of his have made the roster and there is no guarantee that the rest will pan out. I only have to cite Lucas Sutter to prove that point. It also baffles me that we traded our second round pick this year for Setoguchi if drafting and developing is our strategy.

I know that I have stated this point before, but everyone on the Jets roster outside of Byfuglien are Chevy guys. Chevy has signed every player on that roster to long-term contracts and if he did not like them he would traded them away. I get tired of blind faith or fair weather fans talking about how bad Atlanta was and that we are still fixing that problem. That problem is what Chevy has signed for multiple more years.

I agree with the article that we have too many yes men in the Jets management room and not enough critical thinkers to make strong management decisions.

I like this article, very well written.
- TheUltimateJet

Thanks very much. While not that interesting to non Jets fans it might shed some light on how the best teams are managed.

Who's bright idea was it to hire a GM with "dayoff" in his name?

OK I will bite and join in. I'm not sure anyone could have reasonably thought the Jets should have made the playoffs in their first three years given their talent. The fact they came close may have been over achieving. Next year will be the same as the division has become extremely tough given the changes made by the other teams. These are changes likely not available to Cheveldayoff as most valued players will not be interested in signing in the Peg. Thus Chevy is in part hindered and and must seek alternative methods to obtain resources. The Jet draft choices are respected around the league and any doubts they will be busts are far to premature. Chevy does deserve praise for following his scouting department recommendations.

If Chevy is not offered good players in trade what is he to do but develop from within or patrol the waiver wire. To make a trade for trades sake is wrong if it doesn't improve the team. The plan to build through the draft ensures more players are exposed to the organization first hand and can form their own opinion. It also compels talented players to play for the organization. The more players owned by the Jets ensures they have a number of options.

Five years still seems reasonable for playoff action, especially considering the Jets play in the toughest division. By then we will see a truer indication of the Jet organization and their ability to develop top resources.To imply Chevy is unaccountable or in over his head is weak. Only sixteen teams make the playoffs and one team wins the Cup. Giving Chevy the last three years to have done this is just being unreasonable.

Hey Pete, quit writing things we all agree with! it really slows down the comment section....

At least this wasn't another blog centered on Kane, kinda getting tired of those, not just from you but from everyone.

I believe that this is the test year for Chevy and the entire front office, if things take a serious nosedive in the season then I can see a shake up coming, and maybe a new President of Hockey Operations is exactly what the jets need! People talk about the "5 year plan" but the way I see it, if you get through 80% of a test and you know you're gonna bomb it, why finish the rest?

Hey Pete, quit writing things we all agree with! it really slows down the comment section....

At least this wasn't another blog centered on Kane, kinda getting tired of those, not just from you but from everyone.

I believe that this is the test year for Chevy and the entire front office, if things take a serious nosedive in the season then I can see a shake up coming, and maybe a new President of Hockey Operations is exactly what the jets need! People talk about the "5 year plan" but the way I see it, if you get through 80% of a test and you know you're gonna bomb it, why finish the rest?
- Tagleeandeddy

Yeah... good point I agree with this.

Yeah... good point I agree with this.
- Peter.Tessier

I really don't like overly conservative GM's, they seem afraid to make a mistake. I'm not suggesting going out and signing Clarkson to a 7 year, 5.25M per contract but perhaps shake up some of the core with a significant trade or upgrade the depth of this roster via a hockey trade. The Jets drafting has been solid, but the roster could use some change IMO.

Just thinking a little bit more about Chevy and the Jets. I think the Jets organization as a whole showed insecurity when the franchise relocated from Atlanta to Winnipeg. Thrashers players were handed the keys to the city without ever proving anything. The organization essentially catered to player demands. The franchise still lacks what it did when it first relocated here and that is "Identity".
- TheUltimateJet

Agree 100%. The Thorburn signing fits this mentality.

I have heard Mike Babcock may be exploring the open waters when his contract is done after this year (I think). Maybe he's done with coaching. We have a very rich ownership group, imagine if he took a President job here... after being offered a king's ransom of course. That could be the kind of guy we're looking for.

OK I will bite and join in. I'm not sure anyone could have reasonably thought the Jets should have made the playoffs in their first three years given their talent. The fact they came close may have been over achieving. Next year will be the same as the division has become extremely tough given the changes made by the other teams. These are changes likely not available to Cheveldayoff as most valued players will not be interested in signing in the Peg. Thus Chevy is in part hindered and and must seek alternative methods to obtain resources. The Jet draft choices are respected around the league and any doubts they will be busts are far to premature. Chevy does deserve praise for following his scouting department recommendations.

If Chevy is not offered good players in trade what is he to do but develop from within or patrol the waiver wire. To make a trade for trades sake is wrong if it doesn't improve the team. The plan to build through the draft ensures more players are exposed to the organization first hand and can form their own opinion. It also compels talented players to play for the organization. The more players owned by the Jets ensures they have a number of options.

Five years still seems reasonable for playoff action, especially considering the Jets play in the toughest division. By then we will see a truer indication of the Jet organization and their ability to develop top resources.To imply Chevy is unaccountable or in over his head is weak. Only sixteen teams make the playoffs and one team wins the Cup. Giving Chevy the last three years to have done this is just being unreasonable.
- justsaying

I really don't like overly conservative GM's, they seem afraid to make a mistake. I'm not suggesting going out and signing Clarkson to a 7 year, 5.25M per contract but perhaps shake up some of the core with a significant trade or upgrade the depth of this roster via a hockey trade. The Jets drafting has been solid, but the roster could use some change IMO.
- Nucker101

M neither...that's the one thing I dont like about Mac T.