CrimeaPRESS reports:
After leaving the Dallas Stars in 2022, Rick Bowness’ coaching career could easily be over. He coached the Winnipeg Jets during the 1988-89 season and managed to find work for the next four decades. He led Dallas to a surprise Stanley Cup final in 2019-20 and nearly shocked the Calgary Flames in the first round two years later. But the Jets needed an established talent to lead the club last year and brought in Bowness to get things moving in the right direction. By the middle of the battle, Bowness looked like a serious contender for the Jack Adams Trophy. But while the rest of the Central Division seemed to be getting better, the Jets stalled and eventually became one of the last teams to qualify for the postseason. Of course, they were not Stanley Cup contenders. Will they be there now? Bettors can answer this question themselves using bet match promo code.
When everything fell apart in the playoff game against Vegas, Bowness said he was «very disappointed and angry» about the team’s lack of effort against the eventual Stanley Cup champions. It was about as candid as you could expect from an NHL coach these days.
While Bowness hasn’t had much success in the NHL, he knows how to get the best out of an average hockey lineup. This year will be another big test for the Jets and perhaps the last real chance for Bowness to prove that he is still a quality coach for an NHL-level team.
Going into this season, the team faces several critical questions.
Will Josh Morrissey build on his outstanding season?
For a time last year, Morrissey was one of the leading contenders for the Norris Trophy, scoring 16 goals and 76 points. Considering he had never scored more than 37 points before, it was a remarkable breakthrough for the 28-year-old guard. But can he do it again? There’s no doubt he can score 50 points again, but is 70 a realistic goal going forward? Considering how important he is to Winnipeg’s offense, both at 5-on-5 and on the power play, he should be in the top three in team scoring again.
Is this the era of Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele?
The Jets have six pending UFAs, including a pair of key veterans. With reports that Hellebuyck will not re-sign with the club next summer, this could be the swan song for the best goalie in franchise history. The 30-year-old Goali has done so much for the team, winning the Vezina Trophy in 2020 and finishing as a finalist in 2018 and 2023. He is undoubtedly one of the best goalies in the league today, but could be a rare starter this season. Because he will be a goalie trade target for a rival team that wants to go all-in this year. As for Scheifele, the second-leading scorer in franchise history since arriving from Atlanta, rumors have swirled about his future for months. He says he doesn’t want to move anywhere, but if the Jets go scorched earth in the coming years, Scheifele will be one of the first to leave the team. He has one year left on his deal with a modified no-trade clause — could he be a good pick for someone at the deadline? Or will he sign another contract with the only team he’s ever represented? Either way, don’t expect the rumors to die down anytime soon.
Can Nikolaj Ehlers stay healthy?
Ehlers has already dealt with some health issues during training camp. When he is 100 percent fit, the 27-year-old is incredibly dangerous. But with only 154 of a possible 220 games played in the last three years, the problem is clear. Can the Jets count on Ehlers reaching the 30-goal, 60-point mark again?
It’s hard to trust the Jets this year with all the questions about the club’s future. But they are still a decent hockey team with some quality players looking to keep that dream alive. While we’re not talking about a serious championship contender, they do have an elite goaltender, a top blueliner, and several forwards who can still produce.
But hockey fans love chaos. What will this lineup look like in March? Can you trust the team’s own confidence? The Jets need to focus on being a team that is difficult to play against. They’re not afraid to hit, and Elite Prospects lists the Jets as the second-most physical roster in the NHL. They also have a solid goaltending duo, giving Winnipeg a great run for the long haul. If they can finally trust Brossoit to take some of the pressure off a healthy Hellebuyck, the club could find a way to seriously hurt their opponents.
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