Jets Announce Leadership Group Restructuring - Wheeler removed as Captain. No Captain for 22-23

[RustyCat]

One of the collateral benefits of this move by Bowness is a complete tabula rasa on all fronts, leadership, systems, line combinations, who makes the team, etc. What it can do is ignite a player to prove their utility; not insofar as prove it to another person (ie: coach) but the freshness on all fronts can be a catalyst for the player to push themselves to be the best they can be. I have been a part of significant organizational re-structure on a couple different levels and the common denominators are transferable, regardless if it is the same industry or not. You see people motivated to be better, especially in a culture that embraces competition.

True leadership for Blake Wheeler would be to embrace the change and openly support all chosen members of the team with a letter on their jersey. He alluded to his intent on continuing to be a leader on the team, but what I would liked to have heard was receptivity to new leadership and his intent to support whomever is chosen. Those aren't the same thing. To me it is just an interesting point of reference to where he is working from right now.

His attitude on this moving forward will be a significant variable - he can choose to be toxic and be hostile to the change, which will have a cascade effect and will (should) ultimately have him shown the door, or he can embrace the change and choose humility. Whether he likes it or not, eyes will be on him and his colleagues will be watching his reaction moving forward.

Time will tell on how it unfolds but I can absolutely see this team with a chip on its shoulder and looking to prove something. I am optimistic for good things this year

 

[tbcwpg]

One of the collateral benefits of this move by Bowness is a complete tabula rasa on all fronts, leadership, systems, line combinations, who makes the team, etc. What it can do is ignite a player to prove their utility; not insofar as prove it to another person (ie: coach) but the freshness on all fronts can be a catalyst for the player to push themselves to be the best they can be. I have been a part of significant organizational re-structure on a couple different levels and the common denominators are transferable, regardless if it is the same industry or not. You see people motivated to be better, especially in a culture that embraces competition.

True leadership for Blake Wheeler would be to embrace the change and openly support all chosen members of the team with a letter on their jersey. He alluded to his intent on continuing to be a leader on the team, but what I would liked to have heard was receptivity to new leadership and his intent to support whomever is chosen. Those aren't the same thing. To me it is just an interesting point of reference to where he is working from right now.

His attitude on this moving forward will be a significant variable - he can choose to be toxic and be hostile to the change, which will have a cascade effect and will (should) ultimately have him shown the door, or he can embrace the change and choose humility. Whether he likes it or not, eyes will be on him and his colleagues will be watching his reaction moving forward.

Time will tell on how it unfolds but I can absolutely see this team with a chip on its shoulder and looking to prove something. I am optimistic for good things this year

There's no new leadership to support right now. Bowness has said that there are going to be a lot of leaders on the team, and as a veteran player, Wheeler will be one of those leaders, he's just not THE guy right now. I don't have a problem with him being a voice in the room, as long as he's one of several voices.

As for who makes the team, players on regular NHL contracts will make the team. There's no clean slate there.

 

[RustyCat]

There's no new leadership to support right now. Bowness has said that there are going to be a lot of leaders on the team, and as a veteran player, Wheeler will be one of those leaders, he's just not THE guy right now. I don't have a problem with him being a voice in the room, as long as he's one of several voices.

As for who makes the team, players on regular NHL contracts will make the team. There's no clean slate there.

There will be new leadership moving forward and a new identity. Removing letters from jersey's signals exactly that; he will be a leader but the letters are as important on-ice as they are off-ice, and he will need to embrace this paradigm shift by leading in a different capacity. Otherwise there is no meaningful reason to make the change in the first place if you are not shifting leadership roles and responsibilities.

Also, there is a clean slate on who makes the team as one of the major criticism's of PMO was that he had a preference for veteran forwards in place of a spot where a rookie could gain experience. So it seems as though the rookies have a fair shake in having a place in the line up. This was not traditionally how it worked.

 

[bennylundholm]

There's no new leadership to support right now. Bowness has said that there are going to be a lot of leaders on the team, and as a veteran player, Wheeler will be one of those leaders, he's just not THE guy right now. I don't have a problem with him being a voice in the room, as long as he's one of several voices.

As for who makes the team, players on regular NHL contracts will make the team. There's no clean slate there.

There's no new leadership to support right now. Bowness has said that there are going to be a lot of leaders on the team, and as a veteran player, Wheeler will be one of those leaders, he's just not THE guy right now. I don't have a problem with him being a voice in the room, as long as he's one of several voices.

As for who makes the team, players on regular NHL contracts will make the team. There's no clean slate there.

New coaching staff offers a clean slate for players.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

How many years of Maurice? People should give bowness atleast 1 practice with the team first maybe. Think some of you are under estimating how much of a difference the new staff will have.

 

[surixon]

There's no new leadership to support right now. Bowness has said that there are going to be a lot of leaders on the team, and as a veteran player, Wheeler will be one of those leaders, he's just not THE guy right now. I don't have a problem with him being a voice in the room, as long as he's one of several voices.

As for who makes the team, players on regular NHL contracts will make the team. There's no clean slate there.

I think the point is there will be a new leadership structure in the room. It will no longer be him at the top of the hierarchy running the room but more of a collective group running the room. He needs to be willing to adapt and change his leadership style to fit the new direction.

 

[DRW204]

How many years of Maurice? People should give bowness atleast 1 practice with the team first maybe. Think some of you are under estimating how much of a difference the new staff will have.

I don't think anyone is shitting on Bowness at all. Think the consensus he's done well given the state of the team he's left with so far. Ultimate test is how it performs this year, notably in the PO's.

 

[tbcwpg]

There will be new leadership moving forward and a new identity. Removing letters from jersey's signals exactly that; he will be a leader but the letters are as important on-ice as they are off-ice, and he will need to embrace this paradigm shift by leading in a different capacity. Otherwise there is no meaningful reason to make the change in the first place if you are not shifting leadership roles and responsibilities.

Also, there is a clean slate on who makes the team as one of the major criticism's of PMO was that he had a preference for veteran forwards in place of a spot where a rookie could gain experience. So it seems as though the rookies have a fair shake in having a place in the line up. This was not traditionally how it worked.

Yes, there will be. Right now there's no new captain, so for the poster I quoted to say he would've liked to have heard Wheeler say he'll support the new group - there is no group now and likely no C until next season so I don't think it's too unusual for him to say. He said something worse in the conference as to his future here.

I think the point is there will be a new leadership structure in the room. It will no longer be him at the top of the hierarchy running the room but more of a collective group running the room. He needs to be willing to adapt and change his leadership style to fit the new direction.

That's fine, I was focused on the part criticizing his comments at the press conference.

 

[WolfHouse]

I don't think anyone is shitting on Bowness at all. Think the consensus he's done well given the state of the team he's left with so far. Ultimate test is how it performs this year, notably in the PO's.

Wow the bar is set pretty low... I mean the only actual move Bowness has made is deciding not to have a captain. Well, and not be Pomo so there's that.

 

[Jetsfan79]

As Bowness has said, he doesn't need this job and was happy in just settling down in retirement.

So the timing is perfect to take charge and not worry about consequences. This is likely his last coaching job. He already has a great reputation. Shouldn't be worried about burning any bridges internally or externally. Not saying he's going in all hard ass. But he will feel free to push his coaching methodology 100 percent without much concern about his next job

 

[tbcwpg]

Wow the bar is set pretty low... I mean the only actual move Bowness has made is deciding not to have a captain. Well, and not be Pomo so there's that.

The season hasn't started yet, it's the only move he could've made so far.

 

[WaveRaven]

I think for sure the new staff will have big effect. I think the true test will come after the all star break when the real hockey starts.

It will be interesting for sure. I think we aren't as talented as we think. Sure hope to be proven wrong.

 

[DRW204]

Wow the bar is set pretty low... I mean the only actual move Bowness has made is deciding not to have a captain. Well, and not be Pomo so there's that.

Given the guy has been here for two months and there's been 0 gp not sure what you'd expect. Do you think it was an easy move to remove wheeler from captaincy, Esp for this org?

 

[WolfHouse]

The season hasn't started yet, it's the only move he could've made so far.

I agree - so reading a debate over whether he's done a good job or bad job... is a bit strange

 

[Bigfish]

The Winnipeg Jets Are Broken

At some point, the Winnipeg Jets need the type of change that turns the page on an era in franchise history, acknowledging past success while also charting a course for a brand new future.

thehockeynews.com

The Hockey News has a good article on the Jets.
Hits the nail on the head.

 

[DRW204]

This year should be Chevys LAST CHANCE
W

he got a 3 year extension in May. doubtful this is his last chance.

The Winnipeg Jets Are Broken

At some point, the Winnipeg Jets need the type of change that turns the page on an era in franchise history, acknowledging past success while also charting a course for a brand new future.

thehockeynews.com

The Hockey News has a good article on the Jets.
Hits the nail on the head.

i read this a bit yesterday.

the whole "leadership-by-committee" imo can go either way..... could be a case of to many cooks in the kitchen, or cause division if there's equally strong by opposing voices. i do think it's a bit awkward - as one poster said - keeping the old king in the current palace though. at the end of the day, we're not privy to all the details of what goes on/said in the room or meetings. i hope that the decision to not go to the length of retaining on a trade for Wheeler signifies they're still comfortable with having him around (outside of his actual on-ice production/abilities) in a reduced leadership role.

he still is a soild top-6 fwd in this league, and our (natural) right wing depth is weak, esp. if Ehlers is playing LW. perhaps he embraces not being a C or lower role and concentrates on just playing hockey, & not the other responsibilities. won't know until the season plays out.

 

[kenobiwan]

Great read, bang on how stupid Jets management truly is. Chevy and Chipman are the last 2 people in the province to figure things out. They are going to be hard pressed to fill the arena as jets fans hold the bar much higher than those two clowns do. Mediocrity and doing nothing is their bar of success

 

[CorgisPer60]

I'm definitely interested in how this season's going to shake out. It has all the potential of going sideways really quickly. If it does, a good consolation prize will be had at the top of the draft. This team has done half measures for the longest time, and it's soon time to quit being wishy washy. This is the last season for this core.

 

[Buffdog]

I'm definitely interested in how this season's going to shake out. It has all the potential of going sideways really quickly. If it does, a good consolation prize will be had at the top of the draft. This team has done half measures for the longest time, and it's soon time to quit being wishy washy. This is the last season for this core.

I'm getting that vibe too. I feel like it's either gonna be a cup run or complete shitshow

 

[sipowicz]

I'm getting that vibe too. I feel like it's either gonna be a cup run or complete shitshow

Cup run with this group? Now that’s funny!

 

[WolfHouse]

I'm definitely interested in how this season's going to shake out. It has all the potential of going sideways really quickly. If it does, a good consolation prize will be had at the top of the draft. This team has done half measures for the longest time, and it's soon time to quit being wishy washy. This is the last season for this core.

I just have this image of the whole team jumping and chanting pregame while wheeler secretly looks at a picture of Paul Maurice in his locker … ‘I can’t quit you’

 

[Jets 31]

The Winnipeg Jets Are Broken

At some point, the Winnipeg Jets need the type of change that turns the page on an era in franchise history, acknowledging past success while also charting a course for a brand new future.

thehockeynews.com

The Hockey News has a good article on the Jets.
Hits the nail on the head.

Ahh , what does The Hockey News know? They said we would win the Stanley Cup too.

 

[cbcwpg]

You go to your highest paid employee, potentially your most important employee, and you strip him of his role in your company, but keep them on within the business?

What the Jets did with Wheeler would be the same if Chipman went to Chevy and told Chevy he is now the Zamboni driver. We are keeping you on , but with a reduced role.

We have been told that there was a mutual agreement that the Jets would try to move Wheeler, but they haven't tried hard enough. The ONLY reason Wheeler is still on the Jets is because Chevy is not willing to do what it takes to move him, even if it hurts. Minnesota removed a problem and it's going to hurt them for a couple of seasons, but they saw the benefit of removing the problem. Sometimes you have to have pain to eventually gain.

 

[scelaton]

You go to your highest paid employee, potentially your most important employee, and you strip him of his role in your company, but keep them on within the business?

What the Jets did with Wheeler would be the same if Chipman went to Chevy and told Chevy he is now the Zamboni driver. We are keeping you on , but with a reduced role.

We have been told that there was a mutual agreement that the Jets would try to move Wheeler, but they haven't tried hard enough. The ONLY reason Wheeler is still on the Jets is because Chevy is not willing to do what it takes to move him, even if it hurts. Minnesota removed a problem and it's going to hurt them for a couple of seasons, but they saw the benefit of removing the problem. Sometimes you have to have pain to eventually gain.

Wheeler isn't the the most important employee in the company any more, which is partly why taking the captaincy away was a good thing. But mostly it's because others will do that job collectively better than he would have.
I have been critical of Chevy's role in keeping the coach and his preferred leaders in place for too long, but he is pretty shrewd in the trading game. Dumping Wheeler at too high a cost would have been serving the player and not the team. There will plenty of opportunity to trade him for a substantial return at the TDL if the team is struggling or if he is considered a liability. There is still a good chance that he plays well in a 2C role and is a supportive teammate now that the burden of captaincy has been removed.

 

[WolfHouse]

Wheeler isn't the the most important employee in the company any more, which is partly why taking the captaincy away was a good thing. But mostly it's because others will do that job collectively better than he would have.
I have been critical of Chevy's role in keeping the coach and his preferred leaders in place for too long, but he is pretty shrewd in the trading game. Dumping Wheeler at too high a cost would have been serving the player and not the team. There will plenty of opportunity to trade him for a substantial return at the TDL if the team is struggling or if he is considered a liability. There is still a good chance that he plays well in a 2C role and is a supportive teammate now that the burden of captaincy has been removed.

Well he’s the equivalent of your highest paid employee who’s been there since you started the business