The Winnipeg Jets have had three head coaches in the last two seasons, but nothing has changed. The team gets hot once in a while, but it's just a tease. Reality soon returns, and the season ends with a thud. Paul Maurice was behind the bench for seven years before accepting that it was pointless to continue. His message wasn't getting through to his most talented players. Without commitment; talent falters. Players dream of having Scheifele, Dubois and Connor-type skill, but without Lowry-type commitment, it's of little value.
That message came through loud and clear in the post-season comments of Rick Bowness. He was clearly frustrated, as were his recent predecessors.
So now the onus shifts to the off-season and on to the shoulders of Kevin Cheveldayoff. Will the Jet General Manager finally accept what three coaches have been telling him over the last several seasons? Or will he cling to his dreamy-eyed faith in what has failed him before?
There's a term for doing things over and over in the same way, and expecting a different result.
In hockey, a General Manager aquires the players. He serves them to the coach on a platter. The GM sees steak and lobster, the coach often sees bangers and mash.
.