A rough start to the season has many Winnipeg Jets fans questioning their team.
So I ask “What’s Your Problem?”
The First Step is Admitting You have a Problem –
There are a plethora of opinions as to what the problem is and vast ideas on how to solve it. I have heard everything in the past twenty-four hours from that coach Paul Maurice isn’t working out, get rid of General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, trade captain Andrew Ladd, all the way to do nothing and tank the season for Connor McDavid.
Do the Winnipeg Jets even have a problem? Should fans be concerned five games into the season? After all, the Jets have a new-ish coach. He implemented parts of his system when he took over in January and continued to do so in this preseason. Is that enough time to change the style of a team?
Five games are a small sample size of a season but on the flip side at this pace we finish 17-65. Don’t laugh. The 1980-81 Winnipeg Jets finished with a record of 9-57-14. It’s doubtful that we will continue at this rate. I will go out on a limb and say the Jets don’t have that big of a problem.
However over the past three years, fans have had issues such as questioning the leadership on this team. They’ve wondered whether core players actually give us an honest effort throughout the season. The lack of change in the off-season is concerning for others. One thing is certain, when a team starts off appearing to have some of the glaring issues fans remember from past seasons then many folks think it’s a problem.
The kids are alright!
I’ve got 99 problems but the kids ain’t one –
Well, maybe not 99 problems but I have a few issues I would like to see corrected. Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, and Adam Lowry are not one of those problems.
If there is one positive fans can take from this lack luster start, it’s the play of Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, and despite a slow start Jacob Trouba has been great for my money! The Winnipeg Jets “kids” have done quite well to start and in fact aren’t really looking like kids anymore.
Penalties so far have been a point of concern for me. We are going to have to find a way to tighten up. Winning isn’t easy when you spend half the game shorthanded.
Sloppy puck movement. Repeated passes into skates is frustrating to watch. For some players, this is mental rust being early in the season. Some unfamiliarity with the new system combined with some line juggling, may be responsible for part of this problem. No matter why, this needs to improve.
Puck watching in the defensive end when the puck is down low has cost us a few times already. Heads have to be on a swivel as again new system can cause some confusion but they need to pick up their assignments.
All this and more adds up to our lack of scoring. We had a decent game against a Staal-less Carolina Hurricanes team but still only five goals in the last five games.
I want to know “What’s Your Problem?” I invite fans to join the conversation add and your comments below.
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“Follow” us on twitter @WpgHockTalk and let’s us know what you think needs to improve moving forward.
Go Jets Go!
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