WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
General Manager Sean Croft did not take the podium at today's press conference following the Jets 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders. With the loss, the Jets fall 11 points out of the playoffs, three games under .500, and leave their fans wondering how much worse things can get. All Sean Croft said to reporters as he left the MTS Centre today was, "You can't make it up."
The reality of the situation can't be made up, and so it seems, neither can the gap in the Western Conference playoff picture. The three game winning streak that got the Jets to within two points of the wildcard is beyond a distant memory. Ben Scrivens hasn't been himself for the last couple of games, and Evgeni Nabakov has proven that the game of hockey has passed him by. The first line scores, the second line doesn't. The second line scores, the first line doesn't. The names Wolski, Gallagher, Nelson, Bickell, Beagle, and Clune are not known by any fan of the NsHL because they never see these names on a scoresheet.
Paul MacLean has run out of answers. For so long, he talked about getting the team gelling, and how it would take a few games. Nearly halfway through the season, and the Jets are worse off than they appeared. The loss of Scott Hannan goes to show how losing one player on this team can take things from bad to worse in an instant, so you can imagine that the top line will be sent home in bubble wrap every night. Despite it all, the fans still show up. This is a true testament to how wonderful the city of Winnipeg is in terms of hockey markets, and why they never should have left in 1996. That was probably the only other time fans in Winnipeg were this disappointed.
One must wonder where the Jets go from here. Clearly, the top line is safe, as are younger players such as Ryan Ellis, Brock Nelson and Brendan (1 point this season) Gallagher. Ben Scrivens is safe because at this point, the only reason why Sean Croft hasn't been in therapy with Trent Allen is because of his netminder, acquired from Columbus last season. Although, Mr. Allen's team accomplished something the Jets just can't seem to do, and that is to win consecutive games.
It's hard to imagine how much promise there was only a few weeks ago, and how close the Jets are to being in the McEichel sweepstakes. Sources tell us that, despite denials from True North Sports and Entertainment, that Sean Croft should at least call Chris Hessel back on Long Island to see if his office hasn't been converted into a trophy case for John Tavares. That is, of course, if Mr. Hessel would even take him back at this point. One thing is for certain: The NsHL is a swimming pool, and the Winnipeg Jets are an old pair of goggles. Will anyone actually swim down to the depths, brush off the algae, and try them on again?
Jay Trotter
Jet Fuel
