Interim Jets coach Dave Lowry (December 2021, not now)

[Jetsfan79]

Im firmly on the Scheifele trade bandwagon. I wouldnt have believed it 3 years ago. His give a shit level is non-existent and has been for a long time now, and this core/leadership group needs a massive shake up.

Yeah the sample size of him being disengaged is too big now. The trade would need to make sense though.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Absolutely.

Get rid of them both, while Scheif has a ton of trade value. Wheeler has negative trade value, so demote him to a bottom 6 role, or retain some of his salary. I wish we can keep Copp, but I'm not optimistic. Dubois, Connor, Ehlers, and (later on) Perfetti are going to be the driving force on this team.

Wheeler is not completely useless yet. He'll have 2 years to go on his contract. It may be moveable if we retained. But his list of acceptable teams will be only 5 teams long, so chances are that he would have to waive to facilitate a deal.

A buy-out is a realistic option after this season, but I think it is too soon. He hasn't faded to that point yet. Play him one more year and then buy him out of the last year of his contract.

 

[Adam da bomb]

Wheeler is not completely useless yet. He'll have 2 years to go on his contract. It may be moveable if we retained. But his list of acceptable teams will be only 5 teams long, so chances are that he would have to waive to facilitate a deal.

A buy-out is a realistic option after this season, but I think it is too soon. He hasn't faded to that point yet. Play him one more year and then buy him out of the last year of his contract.

He was fine to good last night. I would have preferred Perfetti in his spot at the end of the game with our goalie pulled. He is what he is, more disappointed with schief.

 

[cbcwpg]

Hoping the Jets actually go out and hunt for a new head coach.

In some regards I see Lowry changing things up, but in others I see it as moving the deck chairs on the Titanic. Maybe Lowry ends up being who they want after an exhausted search, but at this time, IMO, I don't think the search has even started.

Oh well, next game the Jets get to play against the coach they should have replaced Maurice with.

 

[BoneDocUK]

Some notes from the Lowry pressers, via Murat:

 

[surixon]

Hoping the Jets actually go out and hunt for a new head coach.

In some regards I see Lowry changing things up, but in others I see it as moving the deck chairs on the Titanic. Maybe Lowry ends up being who they want after an exhausted search, but at this time, IMO, I don't think the search has even started.

Oh well, next game the Jets get to play against the coach they should have replaced Maurice with.

Yeah I hope we have an extensive search in the offseason. I would like to see both experienced, inexperienced, and out of the box candidates interviewed.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

Yeah I hope we have an extensive search in the offseason. I would like to see both experienced, inexperienced, and out of the box candidates interviewed.

My fear is that True North will feel that Lowry didn't have a fair chance at showing what he could do. These players got injured, those players got covid, games got re-scheduled. What was a coach to do? It will be the same "mitigating factors" bullshit that helped keep Maurice on long past his best before date. I wouldn't be surprised to see a multi-year contract announcement soon so Lowry doesn't feel like a lame duck coach. "We like the direction Lowry has taken the team", Chevy (or maybe Chipman) will say. "I would go through a door for that man", Wheeler will add. "Nobody asked for my opinion", Sheifele will mutter with his patented smouldering, pouty look.

 

[gojetsgo]

My fear is that True North will feel that Lowry didn't have a fair chance at showing what he could do. These players got injured, those players got covid, games got re-scheduled. What was a coach to do? It will be the same "mitigating factors" bullshit that helped keep Maurice on long past his best before date. I wouldn't be surprised to see a multi-year contract announcement soon so Lowry doesn't feel like a lame duck coach. "We like the direction Lowry has taken the team", Chevy (or maybe Chipman) will say. "I would go through a door for that man", Wheeler will add. "Nobody asked for my opinion", Sheifele will mutter with his patented smouldering, pouty look.

well you should be, because that is not going to happen

 

[surixon]

My fear is that True North will feel that Lowry didn't have a fair chance at showing what he could do. These players got injured, those players got covid, games got re-scheduled. What was a coach to do? It will be the same "mitigating factors" bullshit that helped keep Maurice on long past his best before date. I wouldn't be surprised to see a multi-year contract announcement soon so Lowry doesn't feel like a lame duck coach. "We like the direction Lowry has taken the team", Chevy (or maybe Chipman) will say. "I would go through a door for that man", Wheeler will add. "Nobody asked for my opinion", Sheifele will mutter with his patented smouldering, pouty look.

They waited until the offseason for Maurice when he was an interim. I doubt the org just hands him the job if we don't get into the playoffs. You have to think this is going completely sideways from what they intended.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

They waited until the offseason for Maurice when he was an interim. I doubt the org just hands him the job if we don't get into the playoffs. You have to think this is going completely sideways from what they intended.

As I recall, Maurice was the one hesitant to commit to a contract early on.

 

[Jets]

My fear is that True North will feel that Lowry didn't have a fair chance at showing what he could do. These players got injured, those players got covid, games got re-scheduled. What was a coach to do? It will be the same "mitigating factors" bullshit that helped keep Maurice on long past his best before date. I wouldn't be surprised to see a multi-year contract announcement soon so Lowry doesn't feel like a lame duck coach. "We like the direction Lowry has taken the team", Chevy (or maybe Chipman) will say. "I would go through a door for that man", Wheeler will add. "Nobody asked for my opinion", Sheifele will mutter with his patented smouldering, pouty look.

You forgot “he’s been like a father figure to me” - Adam Lowry

 

[BoneDocUK]

As I recall, Maurice was the one hesitant to commit to a contract early on.

Correct. He wanted time to evaluate the org, team, players and fit.

8 years later, he’d completed his evaluation and decided he didn’t want the job.

 

[Jet]

Here, here. Hits are an overrated stat. Unless they are separation hits.

I disagree. Consistent hitting brings psychological impacts into the game that can result in the opposition rushing plays, holding onto the puck less and making mistakes.

Of course hits that separate player from puck are the gold standard

 

[Jet]

Last I checked Wheeler was dragging ass BEFORE his injury. Wheeler has a bad attitude in the room and it’s quite well know.
What kind of caption fired a puck at the head of a player (Chiarot incident). His shit attitude and card blanche to rule the roost has contributed to Buff retiring early, Laine wanting out, etc… He is continually cut slack and plays when and where he doesn’t deserve to be. Same can be said about Sheifele. It’s beyond disgusting and until we get a coach that changes that then we will go nowhere.

Wow there are a while lot of wildly speculative claims in this post, unless you have proof?

 

[Jet]

It's like people don't even pay attention on what is actually happening. They are so entrenched in their believe systems they stop paying attention to actual facts. Wheeler was 10th in TOI against the Pens, behind even Perfetti FFS and people still bitch. He had over 7 minutes less than Connor and for some reason he still gets ragged on.

That doesn't fit the narrative. People don't give a f*** about facts and that's why we're going to hell in a handbasket

 

[gojetsgo]

Wow there are a while lot of wildly speculative claims in this post, unless you have proof?

seems like alot of that has been going on around here lately

 

[Orrrules]

Lowry would have to make an amazing run this year to be handed the HC job. There has to be some due diligence in the off season to find a new HC. If not, this organization is really messed up.

Having said that, the list of candidates who will want to come here probably won't include many big names.

 

[voyageur]

I disagree. Consistent hitting brings psychological impacts into the game that can result in the opposition rushing plays, holding onto the puck less and making mistakes.

Of course hits that separate player from puck are the gold standard

This was a discussion I remember Garret brought to these boards. When the Jets in the early days of Maurice were a physcial team. And his argument was that you have to hit when you don't have the puck. In a way it being a product of being too slow. When Lowry or Dillon hit you they are usually separation hits. When Pionk hits its usually to stop forward motion. But then you have guys who are throwing hits a second after the puck has been moved, like Poganski, and to me those hits are useless. Unless they have a heavy impact. Like almost all of Byfuglien's hits.

What's your opinion on our coaching? Do you think the Jets identity should be puck possession? Or play heavy and fast?

I was going to propose bringing in James Patrick at some point to be an assistant and coach for the defense, with the potential we have to play an up tempo defense.

 

[voyageur]

Some notes from the Lowry pressers, via Murat:

I don't think a coach can throw anyone under the bus when the bus is almost empty. You need everyone you have playing. I'd like to see Chevy do something, even if it is to waive Beaulieu, to create some Cap space. For a RW. Or for new players. He can't be in the plans once the Jets get Morrissey, De Melo and Stanley back. Other than Eyssimont and Kovacevic, we've pretty much seen the prospect list.

 

[GaryPoppins]

I wonder if one of the reasons Jets are hesitant to (consistently) bang and crash and go in front of the net, play a hard game etc, is that the high-end players don't want to get injured ?. As much as everyone talks about being a team player, players do have an ego and look to protect themselves, their status in the lineup and optimizing their future earnings. If so, I'm not saying this is a good. But I do wonder if that's what's happening?

Also, I wonder if there's an unspoken disconnect in philosophy between the young core and the coach? Players may think they have the talent to play a high skilled game and do not need to rely on playing an offensive and/or defensive "simple" game. Problem being those players are too stubborn to alter their ways. They may think their philosophy is sound, they just need to "click".

Players want to perfect playing the electric guitar but the coach says they should move on to learning the piano instead.

a) I’ve personally never played hockey in a way to not get injured. IMO, when you attempt to avoid injury with style of play is when you end up actually injurying yourself. This is my opinion but could be up for debate.

b) coaches job is to figure out a system that meshes with the skill set and players you have and create that buy-in that leads to success. This team hasn’t bought in. Dave Lowry had legitimately the length of a training camp to make systematic changes and the only thing he did was swap Scheifele and Connor on the PP and try to get them to drive the net. He doubled down on Maurice’s system and with that, the results are a predictable one and his terms of employment with the Jets will also be short lived as HC.

 

[surixon]

I don't think a coach can throw anyone under the bus when the bus is almost empty. You need everyone you have playing. I'd like to see Chevy do something, even if it is to waive Beaulieu, to create some Cap space. For a RW. Or for new players. He can't be in the plans once the Jets get Morrissey, De Melo and Stanley back. Other than Eyssimont and Kovacevic, we've pretty much seen the prospect list.

Appelton if he could be had for a late round pick would be a good add to our third as he's played well with Lowry there. Maybe that allows for a bit more offensive contributions from Paul on that line.

 

[Jet]

This was a discussion I remember Garret brought to these boards. When the Jets in the early days of Maurice were a physcial team. And his argument was that you have to hit when you don't have the puck. In a way it being a product of being too slow. When Lowry or Dillon hit you they are usually separation hits. When Pionk hits its usually to stop forward motion. But then you have guys who are throwing hits a second after the puck has been moved, like Poganski, and to me those hits are useless. Unless they have a heavy impact. Like almost all of Byfuglien's hits.

What's your opinion on our coaching? Do you think the Jets identity should be puck possession? Or play heavy and fast?

I was going to propose bringing in James Patrick at some point to be an assistant and coach for the defense, with the potential we have to play an up tempo defense.

I definitely think it depends on who's on the ice and the objective of that line.

I do think hitting is an important part of hockey and a possession team can be physical as well, especially to turn the puck over.

 

[BoneDocUK]

It's more a figure of speech, when you look at the missing teeth, and the goal Beaulieu almost shot off his face this year. But Stastny isn't afraid to pull a power move to the net, where the kids really like the cross seam passes, and the one time finish. I think Scheifele and Wheeler too though by example. So it's a different style. I think the team is getting the message from the coach on where the majority of goals go in, which is in the vicinity of the net.

If we are going to be a playoff team that push is going to need to come from the vets too, in my opinion. If Scheif and Wheels get hot it takes some pressure off other players. Stastny is a real useful player, the longevity is a concern, but he's got a ton of smarts that everyone can benefit from. I'm not by any means expecting Perfetti to be carrying the load, but growing into a more talented player, by playing with more talent players.

Lots of interesting observations into this post and convo, but I would emphasize that the PLD/ Cole/ KFC line is in no way a perimeter group of players looking for the sweet seam pass while avoiding going hard to the net. In fact, PLD's goal against FLA was a direct result of both he and Cole going hard to the net, with PLD in particular being practically in the net for the goal. Quick, direct play has been a hallmark of their game this year -- and has always been a part of Cole's game -- while as you note the 55/ 26 duo continue to play their slow and largely ineffective cycle.

Agree with the overall points, but I'm not sure that we can count on the vets at this point, although Stats has been generally excellent when not marooned on a checking line. Just wanted to underline that playstyle doesn't seem to be function of age, and the advantage to the "80s and 90s and Whatever" line playing this way is how lethal they are in finishing.

 

[Howard Chuck]

Yeah, one of my biggest issues with both he ans Scheifele is a lack of awareness. I've referenced Crosby and how he's modifies his game and changed his habits to still be elite and to lead by example. It's one of the biggest issues I see with our on ice leadership.

I want more and more for this team to emulate the way Dubois plays. The take no prisoner game with speed and skill thrown in.

That’s exactly how we used to play. Pack of wolves.

 

[Jet]

This was a discussion I remember Garret brought to these boards. When the Jets in the early days of Maurice were a physcial team. And his argument was that you have to hit when you don't have the puck. In a way it being a product of being too slow. When Lowry or Dillon hit you they are usually separation hits. When Pionk hits its usually to stop forward motion. But then you have guys who are throwing hits a second after the puck has been moved, like Poganski, and to me those hits are useless. Unless they have a heavy impact. Like almost all of Byfuglien's hits.

What's your opinion on our coaching? Do you think the Jets identity should be puck possession? Or play heavy and fast?

I was going to propose bringing in James Patrick at some point to be an assistant and coach for the defense, with the potential we have to play an up tempo defense.

So for our coaching, I still think the jury is out on Lowry. I think he's made some subtle adjustments that have been positive, but I don't think people realize that you can't just have a complete change of systems within the season for a variety of reasons. First of all, the move came as a surprise so Lowry had no time to strategize and build everything. Secondly, even though we did have a big gap of no games played, I'm sure the team didn't have the same schedule available with all players to run a 'training camp'.

I think we will see Lowry continue to focus on smaller things like effort and execution, and make smaller changes as we progress through the season.

Lowry is at disadvantage though, as he's stuck with the same assistants who are obviate not getting the job done.

For me, if Lowry can right the ship, and win a playoff round or two, he's earned the chance to start with the team in TC and see what he can do. He has to be able to make changes to his staff though.

I'm leaning towards a whole new staff next year, and a couple of key player moves as well.