http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features...100-games-after-their-return-to-winnipeg.html
I agree with the author. My dedication to this team will be made on the decisions Chevy makes this off season. I couldn't wait for Winterpeg to get a team back but TNSE, the GM and coaches are renovating this team like we're close to a contender. Atlanta was terrible. I prefer rebuilding and critiquing each player and determining if they fit within a system (or a systems approach). I'm not sure that's happening now.
So what are your grades over the first 100 Games? 4 Categories....
Drafting (GM and scouts)? Solid B.
It seems that the scouts have hit several diamonds in the rough in the later rounds while Scheifele and Trouba appear to be first round quality. It's not an A because underclassmen were selected and will require longer terms of development.
UFA acquisitions? Not good, D.
With two years of UFA, we've signed almost no one to better this team, even in the short term. Signing marginal players is simply not good enough when you've been a non-playoff team forever. Changing the culture means winning. That has not happened.
Living/ working in Winterpeg with hockey crazed fans can lead to criticism (like Kane has received). I predicted Jokinen and Montoya would be UFA signings (check back) but all told, they haven't worked out well. There has not been any sense of urgency. The GM has not done anything significant to this roster other than use previous pieces from the former GM.
RFA signings? C.
The good - Ladd was overpaid but has become a pleasant surprise! I like Kane and think he is our ONE and only superstar but he was overpaid. Don't get me wrong and misinterpret what I'm saying. As a RFA he should have received far less (Subban $$) but we chose to buy out his free agency years so we had to overpay. This contract could work out. The bad - We significantly overpaid Pavelec. With one of the worst GAA and save %, we gave him a five year deal. Shelling out NHL money to AHL players is also foolish. Long term contracts have hurt many NHL teams and my worry is that overpaying over the long term for non-franchise players is foolish. We have lots of RFA and this summer will be telling.
Decision to hire Noel? C. The status quo.
Chevy knew the risks of hiring a rookie coach (never mind from Columbus). We're also no better and no worse a year and a half later. There isn't much good. The bad and perhaps more disturbing is that last season leading the division, the team choked away any chance of a playoff spot. That's not developing a culture of winning. The veteran players are playing inconsistent hockey and seem unmotivated at times. This is troubling when rookies and younger players aren't taught properly. There are few players who lead by example. There is also no system in place. Players roles are chosen as if names are pulled out of a hat (easily identifiable with the line mixing during games).
Record? C. Status quo again.
It might be fine if the team was still in Atlanta but in hockey crazed Winnipeg, a losing record is unacceptable. The GM and coaching staff are finding that out. A .500 record does not cut it in any market or league (well, unless you're the Cubs, lol). The media has been VERY LENIENT on this team. The fish bowl effect has many upsides and downsides. I lived through the ol' Jets. When they won, people came to the arena. When they were competitive and still lost, I was among only a few to see the entire game. I was the first fish thrower, lol.
The Jets 2.0 - Winterpeg has lived with losing a team but with increased ticket prices and a status quo approach, who knows what will happen. I can't imagine coupon central Winnipeg fans dishing out $4000-$7000 for season tickets each year to watch the status quo. Don't tell me how loaded fans are either when you see people buying season tickets and distributing them with friends and/or family. Never mind more people are realizing it's cheaper to pay $10 a month for the TSN Jets and there is no line to the pisser. A Jets ticket is much easier to get and the initial celebration is over.
While I haven't given up, I don't see any significant changes from the Atlanta franchise, other than a colder change of climate.
How do you grade Chevy?
I agree with the author. My dedication to this team will be made on the decisions Chevy makes this off season. I couldn't wait for Winterpeg to get a team back but TNSE, the GM and coaches are renovating this team like we're close to a contender. Atlanta was terrible. I prefer rebuilding and critiquing each player and determining if they fit within a system (or a systems approach). I'm not sure that's happening now.
So what are your grades over the first 100 Games? 4 Categories....
Drafting (GM and scouts)? Solid B.
It seems that the scouts have hit several diamonds in the rough in the later rounds while Scheifele and Trouba appear to be first round quality. It's not an A because underclassmen were selected and will require longer terms of development.
UFA acquisitions? Not good, D.
With two years of UFA, we've signed almost no one to better this team, even in the short term. Signing marginal players is simply not good enough when you've been a non-playoff team forever. Changing the culture means winning. That has not happened.
Living/ working in Winterpeg with hockey crazed fans can lead to criticism (like Kane has received). I predicted Jokinen and Montoya would be UFA signings (check back) but all told, they haven't worked out well. There has not been any sense of urgency. The GM has not done anything significant to this roster other than use previous pieces from the former GM.
RFA signings? C.
The good - Ladd was overpaid but has become a pleasant surprise! I like Kane and think he is our ONE and only superstar but he was overpaid. Don't get me wrong and misinterpret what I'm saying. As a RFA he should have received far less (Subban $$) but we chose to buy out his free agency years so we had to overpay. This contract could work out. The bad - We significantly overpaid Pavelec. With one of the worst GAA and save %, we gave him a five year deal. Shelling out NHL money to AHL players is also foolish. Long term contracts have hurt many NHL teams and my worry is that overpaying over the long term for non-franchise players is foolish. We have lots of RFA and this summer will be telling.
Decision to hire Noel? C. The status quo.
Chevy knew the risks of hiring a rookie coach (never mind from Columbus). We're also no better and no worse a year and a half later. There isn't much good. The bad and perhaps more disturbing is that last season leading the division, the team choked away any chance of a playoff spot. That's not developing a culture of winning. The veteran players are playing inconsistent hockey and seem unmotivated at times. This is troubling when rookies and younger players aren't taught properly. There are few players who lead by example. There is also no system in place. Players roles are chosen as if names are pulled out of a hat (easily identifiable with the line mixing during games).
Record? C. Status quo again.
It might be fine if the team was still in Atlanta but in hockey crazed Winnipeg, a losing record is unacceptable. The GM and coaching staff are finding that out. A .500 record does not cut it in any market or league (well, unless you're the Cubs, lol). The media has been VERY LENIENT on this team. The fish bowl effect has many upsides and downsides. I lived through the ol' Jets. When they won, people came to the arena. When they were competitive and still lost, I was among only a few to see the entire game. I was the first fish thrower, lol.
The Jets 2.0 - Winterpeg has lived with losing a team but with increased ticket prices and a status quo approach, who knows what will happen. I can't imagine coupon central Winnipeg fans dishing out $4000-$7000 for season tickets each year to watch the status quo. Don't tell me how loaded fans are either when you see people buying season tickets and distributing them with friends and/or family. Never mind more people are realizing it's cheaper to pay $10 a month for the TSN Jets and there is no line to the pisser. A Jets ticket is much easier to get and the initial celebration is over.
While I haven't given up, I don't see any significant changes from the Atlanta franchise, other than a colder change of climate.
How do you grade Chevy?
(honestly I still wonder if the kid rubbed the brass the wrong way pre-draft and if so, good decision). But Trouba/Sheifele look solid first rounders and will have decent careers. Later rounders are looking solid this year at least, even the late round goalie picks. Obviously a long term view to evaluate but looks decent at this point. 
