Jets’ direction fuzzy and confusing after free agency opens

Article content

Something isn’t adding up in Winnipeg.

Article content

And the more you think about it, the more it seems like Kevin Cheveldayoff’s sudden focus shift to his promising prospects was more of a knee-jerk reaction to being unable to deliver the job he wanted on Monday after failing on Plan A.

Winnipeg’s general manager suggested he was competitive with UFAs Sean Monahan and Brenden Dillon. Both headed for greener pastures as the free agency window opened. He also tried to land 34-year-old centre Adam Henrique before Edmonton circled back and snapped him back up.

League sources whispered late Monday that Cheveldayoff dipped deeper into the market than was made public. He was busy trying to recruit on a day almost entirely devoted to veteran players finding new homes.

There’s nothing wrong with that, of course.

Article content

Article content

The team had promised Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck they would be competing for Stanley Cups when they inked identical seven-year extensions last fall.

Cheveldayoff was looking to accomplish that on Monday. It just never materialized.

Then came the sudden pivot, which hardly jibed with what he tried to accomplish on the day.

“If I’m a young player in the Jets organization today, I’m pretty excited about the opportunities that are in front of me, and I’m working pretty hard in the off-season to make sure that I take full advantage,” Cheveldayoff said, with just two backup goalies signed at the time he spoke.

So what was it? An effort to re-sign Monahan, Dillon and other vets to bolster his squad further? Or the start of a youth movement, potentially narrowing the window to win while Scheifele and Hellebuyck can still provide their best hockey?

Article content

The evidence points to the former, leaving one to wonder — and not for the first time with this regime — what direction the team is pointed in.

Cheveldayoff seemed frustrated when he sat down to speak on Monday.

Who could blame him?

A Nashville Predators team that took big steps in the right direction last year took a giant leap when free agency opened.

Before anyone knew it, they had two Stanley Cup champs, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, and a tremendous defender, Brady Skjei. While the Jets were spending little, the Predators were going for broke.

It may or may not pay off, but you don’t win if you don’t play the game.

And Barry Trotz demonstrated exactly where he envisions his team as soon as this coming season.

Article content

Cheveldayoff’s former club, the Chicago Blackhawks, also splashed, signing seven players to surround Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski. Among them are Cup winners Teuvo Teravainen, Patrick Maroon and Alec Martinez, and No. 2-disturber Tyler Bertuzzi.

Two divisional rivals made big pushes forward.

It must have felt like a one-two to the gut.

The hits may keep coming, too.

Has Nikolaj Ehlers had a change of heart, or will the Jets lose another veteran winger?

And what’s happening with Rutger McGroarty, the team’s 14th overall pick in 2022?

There’s more confusion there, in part, because neither side is saying anything of substance.

But if the plan was to finally rely heavily on their drafted and developed players, why would McGroarty’s development plan be at an impasse deep enough to want out?

Article content

If you’re a young player in the Jets organization today, as McGroarty is, why is there a lack of excitement?

Doesn’t he have the same opportunity in front of him? Surely, this youth movement has room, especially if Ehlers is dealt.

As recently as last fall, there seemed to be a clear direction. Scheifele and Hellebuyck bought into it and committed the rest of their careers because of it.

You have to wonder what they’re thinking less than a year later.

It’s difficult to imagine the current squad as a 110-point team again. They’ll compete, sure. But on Monday, they lost arguably the best backup in the league, along with a top-four defenceman and the second-line centre they spent a first-round pick to get.

There’s plenty of time before Oct. 9, as Cheveldayoff alluded to on Monday.

He has time to find what he needs through shrewd moves with what’s left on the market and his impressive ability to turn wantaway players into solid, helpful returns.

He will need that time because his team carries no promises of a Stanley Cup contender today.

sbilleck@postmedia.com

X: @scottbilleck

Article content