After the ultimate defeat in the playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche, emotions are still running high in the Winnipeg Jets locker room. On Thursday, the organization held its traditional end-of-season review.
The players and coach said they wanted to turn this other early playoff exit into a lesson for next year. The Jets lost in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
We did good things to be in a good position after the regular season. We were good defensively. But certainly, we have to adjust our game to another level, to be successful in the playoffs
recognized star defender Josh Morrissey.
Like the majority of players who took the floor to take stock, Josh Morrissey stressed that the Jets were not able to match the intensity displayed by their opponents.
Their intensity, their level of competition, their speed of execution has gone up a notch or two. It’s a team that obviously won [la Coupe Stanley en 2022]. They understand what it takes to win
he said.
For our group, it’s transferring the regular season structure and managing the intangibles to become an elite playoff team.
Josh Morrissey recalled that last year, the team narrowly managed to qualify for the playoffs. This year, finishing fourth in the general classification made him believe that it was possible to be title contenders
.
Acquired in February from the Montreal Canadiens, Sean Monahan expressed regret about the outcome: We had a great team and a great opportunity in front of us, but we fell short
.
The Jets will need to avoid lapses in concentration, which have been fatal, to take the next step, according to defenseman Neal Pionk.
even 7minutes of latency which caused the defeats. When you face a good team, you have to eliminate or minimize these moments. This is an aspect that we must take into account next year”,”text”:”It is these periods of 5, 6 or even 7 minutes of latency which caused the defeats. When you face a good team, you have to eliminate or minimize these moments. This is something we need to take into account next year”}}”>It was these periods of five, six, even seven minutes of latency that caused the defeats. When you face a good team, you have to eliminate or minimize these moments. This is something we need to take into account next year
he indicated.
Captain Adam Lowry, for his part, pointed out that the Jets relied too much on the prowess of their goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, and let him face far too many quality chances. We are frustrated at not having been able to do more in front of him, so we have to slow down these things
he said.
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Connor Hellebuyck says he didn’t see half of the goals he allowed during the series against the Colorado Avalanche. (Archive photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Fred Greenslade
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck received 185 shots. He allowed at least 5 goals in each of the 5 games of the series.
You probably won’t believe me when I say I was playing the best hockey of my career, but that’s really how it felt
he said.
The number 37 regrets not having come to the rescue of his teammates, although he feels he has stolen several goals from his opponents. That’s not how I’m used to doing things.
The coach takes “full responsibility for the defeat”
Head coach Rick Bowness admits his team has played poorly in series, and he takes it full responsibility
.
The standards I set for this team and for myself have not been met. I take all the blame for making sure it doesn’t happen again
he maintains.
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Rick Bowness points out that the culture within the Jets locker room has changed since he took over the team in 2022.
Photo: The Canadian Press / John Woods
However, he sees positives and a change in culture within his club. The players take more responsibility.
I have always said that good teams are led by the coaches and excellent teams are led by the players. For our players to take responsibility is a big step forward. We are not going to win if all our players do not take responsibility.
The head coach also spoke about his future within the team. He said he raises the issue every year with his wife and family, adding that he will discuss it with Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and owner Mark Chipman. I know what I’m going to do. I know what I want to do.
He confirms that he still has passion for his profession: I still love it, it’s a passion. As I tell the players, it’s a privilege to be in this league. You should never take anything for granted in this league. It’s my life.
Furthermore, the Jets have several players who could be free agents on July 1, including Sean Monahan, Tyler Toffoli, Brenden Dillon and Dylan Demelo.
