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Do or die for Jets and they need help and to help themselves

April 6, 2019, 12:12 PM ET [51 Comments]
Peter Tessier
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Jets world is in an uproar and not because of the play on the ice and the results since the new year. Oh those still garner attention and are worthy of discussion but Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press basically threw a jerry can on the tire fire and now it's raging.

According to Mike and fellow Free Press hockey beat man Jason Bell there is trouble inside the Jets room and that is spilling to the ice, and has been for some time. McIntyre suggests that there is a divide in the room, perhaps between older and younger players, but he "doesn't want to feed the rumor mill".

The obvious question here for a guy who writes for a site founded around rumors is 'what do you know Mike?' as he sites a source close to the team in his article. He also talks about the acquisition of Hendricks and leadership at the deadline. Furthermore he pens a love letter to Morrissey near to conclude that he might be the beacon of light for the team. I wonder what kind of kickback he gets from Morrissey's agent for that gushing.

Doing your homework might help as Josh's history is not one of leadership and inclusiveness.

So aside from the magic of Morrissey what can we make about the 'other stuff'?

It does not take too much snooping to find the Jets rumors in the mill. Rather than just listing them out let's paint a picture, one that has created a divide or schism.

The Jets are a team mixed with young and old and players who have come into the NHL at different times with different conditions. Long gone are the days where future stars had to earn their right to large paydays. The change in understanding of valuing players has changed that and agents know the game well. With that change comes some entitlement and resentment and on a micro level that happens within a team.

How this is managed is via the GM and more importantly the coach and that's where the problems may originate. In this schism is the feeling that there are different standards for different players and it ranges from ice time, to roles, to off-ice, and beyond. The issues of discipline and focus come in, the feeling of entitlement, more. It's been left unaddressed for too long and the belief is that Hendricks was brought back to help smooth things over. The divide is also not a clear line by age, it's like the US/Canada border through Lake of the Woods- bizarre.

For the Jets they have needed 'good in the room' and perhaps more for some time. If the divide is as serious as believed then perhaps some of the play on the ice can be understood. As it unravelled on the ice it may have become worse off of it. Those crap passes we see? The slow skating in support, and lack of any real physical presence speaks to resentment that runs deep. Why do anything for the guy you dislike or hav ill-feelings towards.

The Jets are not the first team to go through this type of thing. The way out is to get everyone on the same page and that's what they are attempting to do with meetings, discussions and whatever else they attempt. The blame game will come and in this case it's hard to pinpoint who is at fault if anyone as again, we're dealing in many shades of grey.

There is something Paul Maurice could have done and perhaps should do but it's a risk for him. He can make everyone hate him. That could lead to his eventual demise but he needs to weigh the risk for him by not doing it. Will he ever coach a team with this much talent again?

If Maurice is a star that burns hot a bright but explodes fast then now is the time to explode. He's guaranteed money for a few more years and probably has more than enough to retire with comfort. He will not be without a job long either depending on what he chooses to do in hockey- he's respected whether fans agree or not. So go all-in now and push all the buttons and be the common enemy for the players. Make them come together because they can't stand you.

It's a psychological warfare risk but what is left to lose? This season might be lost already but there is a chance it can be salvaged but it takes action right now- tonight is Maurice's last chance to try anything before the playoffs and certain other stresses. However this should have been done some time ago, and more than just from the coach. In fact it won't be a quick fix even if Maurice does find some sort magical solution, it will probably take more than a fortnite.
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