The GM made his customary remarks after the trade deadline and then did the media circuit after before calling it a day. It was not a busy day as much as it was one for taking stock and making sure the message that was soon to be delivered was still on point and true to the same message the last six years.
The delivery and message are so reminiscent of Dana Carvey doing George Bush on SNL 25 years ago.
But here we are, accustomed and conditioned to the message and the theme of what happens for the Jets at the trade deadline...stay the course. One clip that I heard from the media rounds was the part where Chevy talked about pieces on Hustler and Lawless. Here is the quote:
Everyone though that when Mark Scheifele arrived he was the first piece, really though the first piece is arriving right now.
Dear reader there is basically all you need to know about the Winnipeg Jets organization when it comes to strategy, tactics and process. They are patient, very very patient. It's a core trait of the entire True North Sports and Entertainment company and in their eyes, patience is rewarded.
When TSN reporter Gary Lawless offered to take questions on Twitter I asked him this and you can see his reply.
this is interesting as it assumes Jets never try to make deals. I'd love to know how many trades have been excluded from as a result of NMC https://t.co/9X4b3sWiiU
— gary lawless (@garylawless) March 1, 2017
The Jets have tried. They won't come out and say it but they have. Two years ago they tried to sign Winnik. They offered him more term and contract $$ than what he accepted with the Leafs. Perhaps Hockey Wives had something to do it? But that should give a hint as to the battle with UFAs that the organization faces.
However, that problem was one of the key things the team would have to overcome and address, even as they moved to a draft and develop model of team construction. That is also the GMs job though, to find a way to make players want to come here, and if it costs more than so be it we all work with some level of adversity. In all fairness Chevy has not really appeared to have managed that adversity very well.
As Lawless responded my question is based on an assumption. My question is based on the results and perhaps that's where we need to look at next. After six seasons, six drafts, six off seasons, six UFA periods and six trade deadlines, what do the results of the GM's actions rate?
Draft- A (Given the positions and number of picks he's had this may be to favourable)
Off Season UFA C+ (Jokinen, Perreault, Matthias, Howden, Strait, Pardy, Montoya, are the sum of the offseason acquisitions that were no currently under contract with the Jets before being UFA eligible- who else am I missing?)
Trade Deadline B- (Hainsay left for nothing, good Oduya return, added Stempniak and Tlusty, moved Stafford, moved Ladd, kept Thorburn and Stuart long past prime, kept Jokinen. Points for Kane/Bogo deal but with Stafford gone and Myers chronic injury problems it's left to Armia, Lemieux and Roslovic-the Buffalo pick- to tell the tale) Seasons C (Close but no cigar 5 of 6 times and only playoff appearance came due to career save %.908 goalie going on a three-game shut-out streak to finish season in 2015)
So in all seriousness he's got the 'draft' part down well but for obvious reasons. The off-season needs work as do the performance during the season. However now we all but assume, based on yesterday's comments, that contracts extensions are coming for the coach and the GM.
One other comment that was made by Chevy about the team and coaching was this
We don't want to change the players too much, take away their offensive ability. It's a creative game and we don't want them to lose that instinct.
This comment, while interesting for the pursuit of creative offensive hockey, is troubling as well. playing defence, being a 200 foot player is not just a switch the coach flips for his team. It's a learned process based on scrutiny of system, understanding of opposition, and management of skill within player resources. While Josh Morrissey stepping in and not missing a beat as a first year professional is a great sign, it's not likely with everyone and who's next?
This group of players does not play particularly high-event offensive hockey nor does it play that in their own end yet they struggle with goals allowed and playing defence in any form with some consistent pattern. That's speaking for their vets too, ones who have been here as long as defence coach Charlie Huddy has as well.
That is troubling. The core of the defence is getting older and the bottom pair is an adventure every game no matter what incarnation is used. Simply put, there is a glaring spot that needs attention and that's just the defence as we haven't even looked between the pipes.
Would it surprise anyone if the Jets actually extended Pavelec as insurance if they cannot land a better starting option?
The results speak for themselves. This team is exactly where the draft part of 'the process' has led them, particularly when combined with the inadequacies of the other areas: a great crop of forwards, two decent young defence players and no true number one goalie. So yes, Chevy might be right that the 'first piece is driving now' that will turn this franchise into a playoff contender. Wouldn't it have been nice to know this six years ago?
However, does anyone believe Chevy knew that first piece would be arriving at this time, six years in? Remember the draft is like a lottery, you can increase your chances but you can never get a guarantee win. It's time for the Jets to start influencing areas where they have more control and a chance for a bigger impact based on data, scouting, and evidence. It might help if they did that with the defence system/play and goaltending but that might be asking too much six years into the process.