As the NHL’s 2023 off-season winds down, it’s time to turn our attention to the Winnipeg Jets in our THN.com hot-seat series. Over the past month, we’ve delved into the pressures faced by players, coaches, GMs, and team owners across the league. Now, let’s dissect the situation with the Winnipeg Jets.
Jets’ Hot Seat: (Tie) Mark Chipman, Owner, and Kevin Cheveldayoff, GM
The Winnipeg Jets showed immense promise early in the last season but faltered in the second half, leaving fans disappointed. Their playoff run also ended in disappointment with a 4-1 series loss to Vegas. For many, the responsibility lies with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and owner Mark Chipman, who have overseen the team since its move from Atlanta to Winnipeg in 2011.
Despite over a decade at the helm, the Jets seem to stagnate. Cheveldayoff’s reluctance to initiate a complete rebuild and his recent trade of star center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Kings have raised concerns. With minimal cap space and a challenging path to the playoffs in 2023-24, the pressure is on. Failure to reach the postseason or an early exit could force significant changes in Winnipeg by the summer of 2024.
Jets’ Warm Seat: Mark Scheifele, C, and Connor Hellebuyck, G
Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck are entering the final season of their contracts and will become UFAs next summer. The absence of contract extensions raises questions about their futures in Winnipeg. GM Cheveldayoff may need to trade them before the next deadline to avoid losing them for nothing in free agency. Both players are 30 years old, and their following contracts will likely be substantial, long-term deals. It’s increasingly likely that they will part ways with the Jets before the trade deadline, fetching valuable assets from playoff-bound teams.
Jets’ Cold Seat: Josh Morrissey, D
Amidst the Jets’ challenges, Josh Morrissey emerged as a bright spot last season. He recorded an impressive 76 points, including 60 assists, doubling his career-best points total. Morrissey, at 28, led the Jets in average ice time with 24:13 and came at a reasonable cap hit of $6.25 million. He’s under contract until 2027-28, providing stability to the blue line. Morrissey’s status as a fixture in Winnipeg’s future remains secure, with a no-move clause in his contract and his exceptional contributions on the ice.
