Winnipeg Free Press > Opinion > Columnists > If at first you don't succeed, get worse

Columnists

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

If at first you don't succeed, get worse

By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 02/16/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Watching the Pittsburgh Penguins in action, one has to wonder if the expectations being placed on the Winnipeg Jets aren't doing more harm than good.

This constant push for the Jets to be a playoff team when it's obvious they are a fringe contender at best, can be viewed as counterproductive.

The Jets buzzed and buzzed Friday night but in the end, their talent proved inferior. Pittsburgh's finishers finished. Their goalie was almost perfect. What a difference a legitimately elite player -- something the Jets do not have -- would have made.

There's no arguing it's better to draft first than 10th. The Jets are stuck in the middle as a result of trying so hard to be more. It's admirable, but in a way self-defeating.

The Penguins, as they are currently constructed, were built on the pillars of bankruptcy, indifference, futility and finally luck, in the form of a lottery pick named Sidney Crosby.

Not exactly the mission statement of the Winnipeg Jets.

But it's easy to argue the Jets would be better off forgetting about a playoff spot and engage in a total rebuild. One that starts with a full gut of the franchise, not a room-by-room renovation.

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff could forget about trying to cobble together a team by constantly working to squeak into the playoffs and focus his resources on collecting assets for tomorrow.

Picking first, second or third at the draft increases the opportunity of getting a franchise-type player. A player like Seth Jones or Nathan MacKinnon or Jonathan Drouin, who might change an organization's destiny.

Rebuild

Certainly, good players can be had beyond the top three. Jacob Trouba appears to be a veritable steal from the nine-spot last summer, but the chances of a big payoff diminish quickly after the top few picks.

The pain involved in a total rebuild, however, is very real and difficult to sell to fans. Factor in Winnipeg's 15 years of being forced to watch the NHL on the tube and it borders on cruel and unusual punishment.

But rock-bottom has its benefits. Pittsburgh picked either first or second overall four straight years, taking Marc-Andre Fleury (first in 2003), Evgeni Malkin (second in 2004), Crosby (first in 2005) and Jordan Staal (second in 2006).

The Pittsburgh Penguins are great because they sucked.

The Jets have nothing that remotely resembles Crosby, Malkin or Fleury. Getting players of that calibre is difficult. The easiest way is to select at the top of the draft.

The Jets must draft and develop; it's their only path to success. Picking first or close to it would better the odds.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 16, 2013 C1

Fact Check

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

  • Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.

  • Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.

  • Please indicate your source for the correct information.

  • Please include any contact information you may have.

  • Yes

    No

  • This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.

  • This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.

  • Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Jets aren't dead (quite) yet

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS 070619 LIGHTNING ILLUMINATES AN ABANDONED GRAIN ELEVATOR IN THE VILLAGE OF SANFORD ABOUT 10PM TUESDAY NIGHT AS A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS PASSED NEAR WINNIPEG JUST TO THE NORTH OF THIS SITE.
  • July 1, 2012 - 120701 - Canada Day fireworks at The Forks from the Norwood Bridge Sunday, July 1, 2012. John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press

View More Gallery Photos

About Gary Lawless

Gary Lawless is the Free Press sports columnist and co-host of the Hustler and Lawless show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg and www.winnipegfreepress.com
Lawless began covering sports as a rookie reporter at The Chronicle-Journal in Thunder Bay after graduating from journalism school at Durham College in Ontario.
After a Grey Cup winning stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the communications department, Lawless returned to Thunder Bay as sports editor.
In 1999 he joined the Free Press and after working on the night sports desk moved back into the field where he covered pro hockey, baseball and football beats prior to being named columnist.

Poll

Will you go see the kangaroos at the Australian Outback zoo exhibit?

View Results

Ads by Google