The Jets are facing two central division opponents on consecutive nights that they lost to the last time they met. They lost to the Capitals on Wednesday and are currently winless in 6 on the road, or is it more?
Controversy swirls the team as it seems something is not quite right and as every day passes head coach Paul Maurice sounds more like his predecessor Claude Noel, searching for answers and lost with his assessments.
If you happened to listen to 1290 this morning the morning show had two TSN CFL analsyts on Chris Schultz and former Winnipeg Blue Bomber great Milt Steagall. They played some clips of Maurice talking about the games and asked for their assessments. One does not need to be a hockey expert to grasp what was going and Schultz was bang on.
He said (my paraphrase), 'that it sounds like the coach can't get his message through or the the players don't like the message.' Where have we heard this before?
Look back to last year and think of the identity the Jets forged for themselves, a big fast team will to take risks to suppress shots and out chance the opposition. What are they now?
If you read yesterday's piece you will know that I presented some strong opinions on the Jets direction or lack of it, and today look at things on a macro level and not micro. Going into this game do you feel optimistic about the team's chances?
The Winnipeg Free Press put out a piece that suggested the lack of contract status for two key players in Ladd and Byfuglien might be hurting the Jets. In it was the startling (for some) revelation that Byfuglien's camp had not even been engaged in contract talks. Should that be concerning, yes but not surprising given the pace that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has worked with in the past.
Tonight's game does not represent anything more than a chance to buck a trend for the Jets, at least on the macro level. On the micro level the Jets need to do something(s) that they haven't been able to do, better neutral zone coverage and stopping the high danger scoring chances. It's an area they are getting killed in and over and over no matter who the opposition.
So here they are in Minnesota who just came off a loss the Canucks and then play the team that the took the possession wood house but came out missing an arm the night after. It's understandable that Jets fans are feeling pessimistic but it's the reasons why that no one seems to be able to grasp.
Maybe it's because there are too many, or perhaps it's because they are hard to pin down with any sense of accuracy. However, the concerning part is that Paul Maurice, he with over 1100 NHL games coached before age 50, is starting to sound the same as Claude Noel.
While it's fair to suggest that contract status might affect the psyche of players and their performance, it's equally fair to suggest that play might also affect the willingness of management to come rushing with pen and paper to be signed. At this moment there's no right or wrong approach thus exists the current status quo.
Tonight Connor Hellebuyck makes his debut starting and Hutchinson in Colorado against the weaker possession team. Other adjustments are yet to come but perhaps Armia sneaks in for a change of pace. Nonetheless, it's another bar fight and the Jets just came from a beating in Washington so it's anyone's guess as to whether they have healed and smartened up.