Just out of curiosity I was wondering who might of been Ryan Whitney's source on the Jets being 'frauds' and 'not nearly as good. He would not reveal the source and his criteria was a Western Conference team currently in a playoff picture. My assumption is that Whitney's knows the source because he played with him. Of course this may not be the case at all but I thought it would be fun to see who it might be.
This leaves seven teams: Vancouver, Vegas, Dallas, Colorado, Edmonton, LA and Nashville
Cross referencing Whitney's career with current players & coaches you get:
VAN: Played Feb.17 and the Jets won
Mike Yeo (assistant coach on Penguins 06-07 to 08-09 and also an assistant in AHL from 03-04 to 05-06) - current Assistant with Canucks
VEG: Played Oct. 19 in a Jets loss and Howden was in the line up. Nov. 2 in a Jets loss and Howden was in the line up
Brett Howden: never played with Whitney, but his brother Quinton Howden did in 13-14 on Florida and also in the AHL the same year
DAL: Played Nov.11 and Jets lost, Suter in line up. Played Nov. 28 and Jets lost, and Suter in the lineup. Played Feb.29 and Jets lost, Suter in line up
Ryan Suter (World Junior '03)
EDM: Have not played since Nov.30th where it was a 3-1 loss.
Sam Gagner(09-10 to 12-13) this includes a lockout year where Gagner went to Austria and Whitney did not go anywhere. Gagner also recent played for the Jets last year
Corey Perry (on Anahiem 08-09 to 09-10) Perry played on Chicago this year. His contract was terminated Nov. 30th. Jets played CHI Dec.2 and they won and Jets then lost to CHI Dec.27th. He never played the Jets
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (11-12 to 12-13) first two rookie seasons played with Whitney
Taylor Hall: (10-11 to 12-13) Only played 10 games this season indue to injury in Chicago and did not play in either game vs the Jets
LA: Played Oct. 17 and the Jets lost, Lewis in the line up. Dec.13 and the Jets won, Lewis in the line up
Trevor Lewis (AHL from 13-14). Recently played for the Jets in the 20-21 season.
MIN: Played Dec. 30 in a Jets win, Goligoski in the line up. Next night Dec. 31 Jets loss, Goligoski in line up.
Alex Goligoski (Penguins 07-08 to 08-09 and in the AHL 08-09)
Frederic Chabot (goalie coach for Oilers 09-10 to 2-13) - current goalie coach for Wild
COL: Played Dec. 7th in Jets win, Parise not in line up. Played Dec.16, Parise not in line up
Zach Parise (played World Juniors '03 7 games)
This is the list of potential players of coaches(please keep in mind that I may have missed someone)
Mike Yeo
Brett Howden
Ryan Suter
Sam Gagner
Corey Perry
RNH
Taylor Hall
Trevor Lewis
Alex Goligoski
Frederic Chabot
Zach Parise
Now if you parse this list with players/coaches that have actually played the Jets this year (although it is completely possible for a player or coach to have an opinion that did not play them)
Mike Yeo
Brett Howden
Ryan Suter
Sam Gagner
RNH
Alex Goligosi
Frederic Chabot
This is the March 2nd quote on Spittin Chicklets:
“The Winnipeg Jets are the biggest frauds in the league, and they’ll lose in the 1st round.”
An unnamed NHL player has dubbed the Jets as the biggest frauds in the NHL.https://t.co/dCv00oLVdKpic.twitter.com/MbyGlA2vya
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 2, 2024
Jets have not played the Oilers since Nov. 30 so I high doubt it is any of them. The Jets played fantastic vs the Canucks on Feb 17 so I also doubt that Yeo would make that comment. Howden, while possible, is a stretch. So this leaves
Ryan Suter
Alex Goligoski
Frederic Chabot (not likely, but possible)
Given all the above criteria and information, my money is on Ryan Suter. The March 2nd comment comes two days after Dallas beat the Jets for the third time this season. Dallas has had the Jets number this year and Suter has been in the line up every game. Suter is a polarizing character and there have been reports that he has not be liked in the dressing room and has always been an opinionated person (see article below). So it would not be out of character to made comments like what was said on Spittin Chicklets. Also, the fact that he and Whitney were on the WJ is big - those are notoriously bonding experiences so I dont think it is odd that they would keep in touch.
www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/wild/jason-arnott-claims-ryan-suter-was-hated-in-minnesota
This was just a fun little exercise and I could be completely wrong. Let me know some thoughts and how you see it