Despite the trials and tribulations of the Winnipeg Jets of late (of late of course being the last two and a half seasons since the transfer to Winnipeg-and, if you want to be technical, the last 12 seasons in Atlanta as the Thrashers) Head Coach Claude Noel says "we are going to win here," speaking about the patience needed to rebuild what the hockey minds in Atlanta rushed to do.
I'm patient about it. I realize you can't just fire the coach or make a magical trade and everything will be hockey Shangri-La. The obvious development of Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba, as well as the success in the World Juniors of Nic Petan is proof Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is drafting correctly and clearly sees the Jets long-term needs on the ice.
I know Noel will be right. I can personally see the plan they are nurturing to create a winning culture that is in places like Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston or Detroit. Remember, at one time or another, these so-called "elite" teams were not so elite. In the 1980s, the teams that were laughed at were the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. Suffice to say, not only are these franchises the envy of the NHL, but who actually can remember these teams being bad.
Soon it will be with the Jets, no matter what anybody says about players not wanting to play in Winnipeg. if it's about the weather, then why doesn't Los Angeles, Phoenix, Florida, Anaheim or San Jose have perennial power-houses? Or if they do, how come they haven't always? Like the man said in Field of Dreams, "if you build it, they will come." Players want to go where they know they will have a decent chance of winning a Stanley Cup, not the best place to get tan. Ask future Hall-of-Famer Teemu Selanne what he thought about playing in front of the fans of Winnipeg. Or how about current enshrined Jet Dale Hawerchuck? Once it's established that Winnipeg has a culture of winning, free agent veterans and superstars alike will sign on the dotted line.
Yes, I've been hard on this team this season. I'm not the only one, with good reason. The way things stand as of right now, the Jets just are not good enough. That will change. Don't plan the parade just yet. In fact it won't be for a few years, when this team has turned even more of my hairs grey. But it will happen. Bet on it.
