The embarrassment that is the Jets
Craig S. Dorrell
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Wow. I don't think I've ever seen the Jets look as bad as they did
against the Kings on Saturday. Truly, truly horrible.
Yes, they were coming off a disheartening loss to Anaheim. Yes,
they were probably still a bit tired. However, NO team should ever look
as slow and disinterested as the Jets did. The Kings are *not* a good
team this year, and when Gretzky weakened by the flu they become a
decidedly POOR team. If they can seriously outplay the Jets, Winnipeg's
cause is hopeless.
Nobody looked good for the Jets, but Chevy and Teemu were OK. Tim
made some nice saves, and Selanne appeared to have some energy on a few
shifts.
The grinders did a decent job, but Drake, Emerson, Romaniuk, Zhamnov,
and even Tkachuk were doing very little. Drake in particular looked like
he had something else on his mind for the whole game. Team play was
very poor; passes weren't clicking, defencemen were not cooperating well,
and rushes seemed to peeter out in the neutral zone.
I think something major MUST be done to shake things up. Trading a few
players would be a good idea, for a start. I'm concerned that lineup
changes (starting Khabibulin, benching Domi or Korolev, etc.) have had
little effect, though. I'm starting to wonder whether John Paddock is
capable of properly motivating the Jets. Perhaps now that the team is more
talented, they need a tougher coach to lay down the law.
- CSD (dor...@gene02.med.utoronto.ca)
Anthony Bergen
>As I have already posted, some changes must be made, and they would better
>be made now. The new good head coach would be the most significant
>change, but here are the few changes that I think could make a difference.
>- I think the Jets should get rid of Ulanov. He always makes mistakes,
>and his mistakes are always costly. He can't skate well either. Most
>of his penalties look really dumb. We need another defenceman
>instead of big Igor. Don't take me wrong: I am not
>trying to put down Europians since I am from Russia myself and I think
>that Russians and other europians play very exciting hockey. It is just
>that Igor doesn't do that.
Igor is not the Jets problem. Actually, I totally disagree with your
opinion. Igor usually plays very well. If you are referring to him
getting burnt by Druce on Saturday, watch the replay again. Igor did
knock the puck away from Druce, but it hit the boards and Druce was able
to get it back. Why don't we trade Numminen, Quintal, and Zhamnov, they
all got burnt on the 2nd goal by Druce. Ulanov is a very steady
defenceman and he is a bargain for the low salary we are paying him. I
consider him to be the 3rd or 4th best defenceman on the team and I know
I'm not alone.
>- We really have a problem on our 4th line. That line can't score
>anyhing. I understand that Jets need a tough line, but what we have
>is useless in a hockey sence. We need to take Domi, Eagles, and
>Borsato and get a solid 4th liner insted. I just wonder where? :-)
I agree with you here, except I think that should be Gihlen in there
instead of Eagles. I think a player like Eagles has a place on the team,
but what does Gihlen do for us. Nothing!! Domi should be traded while
we can still get something for him and we might as well trade Borsato but
only if we can get something for him.
>- It's been 6 games, did you notice Korolev anywhere? Hmmm... I
>think he won't show anything and will be traded. So, I would do it
>sooner. Too bad we lost Sheldon Kennedy for Korolev.
I can't understand why Korolev isn't playing and Romaniuk is. Korolev
has only played two games for the Jets, I don't think he should be
written off already.
>-Is it me or Chevy can be superb one night and very weak on another?
>I hope it is not true. May be it is Jets' defence fault. It seems
>that those "weak" nights happen when Jets play away. Why not to try
>and start Khabibulin when playing away?
After the way Khabibulin has played, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets
more games. Chevy isn't doing as bad as people are saying, at least in
my opinion.
>I am trying to think what else can be done, but can't. One thing I know
>for sure: it was less painful living through the lockout than it is to
>watch Jets play these days.
I think the root of the Jets problems is coaching and lack of
motivation. It seems like John just can't get them going. Something
definately has to be done in this department, we can't keep blaming the
players.
I still believe that this is one of the strongest linups the Jets have
had since they entered the NHL, so why are they losing? Who knows.
By the way, please don't take any of the contrasts in opinion as flaming,
I don't mean them as flames, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
But I do think you are a little unfair with Ulanov. What do you mean he
can't skate, he is a great skater, one of the best of the defencive corps
of the Jets!
Tony
--
* Tony Bergen - Systems/Network Administrator *
* Bristol Aerospace Limited - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada *
* E-Mail: Tony_...@mbnet.mb.ca or abe...@freenet.mb.ca *
Chris Choboter
>
> I think the Jets need to get rid of 'bad pass, dumb penalty' Ulanov...
>Or maybe have three days off before a home game.
No No No. Don't get rid of Igor (the crushin' Russian) Ulanov. Get rid of Tie Dummy or Zhamnov or
Keith but not Igor. Okay sometime he'll give the puck away but he is one of the few on the Jets who
take the body every shift. What about Quintel. I saw him give the puck away enough times but no one
gets on his back. Besides, what would you get for Ulanov? A draft pick? That's not what the team needs.
Chris
Bob Todd
>In <1995Jan30....@alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca> Artur Roytburg <aroy...@tikva.chem.utoronto.ca> writes:
>>As I have already posted, some changes must be made, and they would better
>>be made now. The new good head coach would be the most significant
>>change, but here are the few changes that I think could make a difference.
>>- I think the Jets should get rid of Ulanov. He always makes mistakes,
>>and his mistakes are always costly. He can't skate well either. Most
>>of his penalties look really dumb. We need another defenceman
>>instead of big Igor. Don't take me wrong: I am not
>>trying to put down Europians since I am from Russia myself and I think
>>that Russians and other europians play very exciting hockey. It is just
>>that Igor doesn't do that.
>Igor is not the Jets problem. Actually, I totally disagree with your
>opinion. Igor usually plays very well. If you are referring to him
>getting burnt by Druce on Saturday, watch the replay again. Igor did
>knock the puck away from Druce, but it hit the boards and Druce was able
>to get it back. Why don't we trade Numminen, Quintal, and Zhamnov, they
>all got burnt on the 2nd goal by Druce. Ulanov is a very steady
>defenceman and he is a bargain for the low salary we are paying him. I
>consider him to be the 3rd or 4th best defenceman on the team and I know
>I'm not alone.
you are not alone. Although Igor sometimes gets lost in the clouds, I think
he is a valuable addition to the Jets, especially at his salary. He tries
hard and makes a lot of good plays... unfortunately he mistakes usually
look reeeaaal bad.
>>- We really have a problem on our 4th line. That line can't score
>>anyhing. I understand that Jets need a tough line, but what we have
>>is useless in a hockey sence. We need to take Domi, Eagles, and
>>Borsato and get a solid 4th liner insted. I just wonder where? :-)
>I agree with you here, except I think that should be Gihlen in there
>instead of Eagles. I think a player like Eagles has a place on the team,
>but what does Gihlen do for us. Nothing!! Domi should be traded while
>we can still get something for him and we might as well trade Borsato but
>only if we can get something for him.
>>- It's been 6 games, did you notice Korolev anywhere? Hmmm... I
>>think he won't show anything and will be traded. So, I would do it
>>sooner. Too bad we lost Sheldon Kennedy for Korolev.
yes. I hope he gets a chance... maybe the presssure of requiring a win is
preventing him from breaking the lineup?
>I can't understand why Korolev isn't playing and Romaniuk is. Korolev
>has only played two games for the Jets, I don't think he should be
>written off already.
>>-Is it me or Chevy can be superb one night and very weak on another?
>>I hope it is not true. May be it is Jets' defence fault. It seems
>>that those "weak" nights happen when Jets play away. Why not to try
>>and start Khabibulin when playing away?
>After the way Khabibulin has played, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets
>more games. Chevy isn't doing as bad as people are saying, at least in
>my opinion.
yes he looks good...
>>I am trying to think what else can be done, but can't. One thing I know
>>for sure: it was less painful living through the lockout than it is to
>>watch Jets play these days.
>I think the root of the Jets problems is coaching and lack of
>motivation. It seems like John just can't get them going. Something
>definately has to be done in this department, we can't keep blaming the
>players.
I agree.. I think paddock should stick to recruting.. at least for a while
and let the other coaches coach... I think they could use a teaching coach,
I don;t think that punishing them with 630 practise is very intelligent.. even
though the players don't seem to be complaining. I think they should work on
1) passing
2) power plays
3) penalty killing
4) doing things as a team instead of individually. Althoug I think this is
a panic response based on pressure from the coaches.
In most cases they work hard enough! not necessarily smart enough!!!
>I still believe that this is one of the strongest linups the Jets have
>had since they entered the NHL, so why are they losing? Who knows.
>By the way, please don't take any of the contrasts in opinion as flaming,
>I don't mean them as flames, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
>But I do think you are a little unfair with Ulanov. What do you mean he
>can't skate, he is a great skater, one of the best of the defencive corps
>of the Jets!
I agree .. at least partially...
>--
>* Tony Bergen - Systems/Network Administrator *
>* Bristol Aerospace Limited - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada *
>* E-Mail: Tony_...@mbnet.mb.ca or abe...@freenet.mb.ca *
--
===============================================================================
== Bob Todd -- -U of M Computer Services- -- Networking Group ==
== E-mail To...@ccu.Umanitoba.CA ==
===============================================================================
Anthony Bergen
>I don;t think that punishing them with 630 practise is very intelligent.. even
>though the players don't seem to be complaining. I think they should work on
>1) passing
>2) power plays
>3) penalty killing
>4) doing things as a team instead of individually. Althoug I think this is
> a panic response based on pressure from the coaches.
>In most cases they work hard enough! not necessarily smart enough!!!
I agree with most of what you say above, except I do think the 6:30 am
practices are a good idea. It is time to send a wake up call to the
team, and if that means two a days, so be it. I see it as the coaching
staff saying that either shape up or you will be practicing hard and long!
One thing I really found interesting about the practices is that Selanne
was staying after practice to work on his shot and scoring ability. Do
you think he is trying to send a little bit of a message to his
temmates? He is the Jets leading scorer and he is one of the top scorers
in the league, yet he still thinks he needs work. If you ask me, there
should be 20+ other players out there with him working on extra things.
I really respect Teemu for this because he is showing that he respects
himself and the Jets by wanting to be better.
Good for Teemu.
Zhamnov is my favourite player on the Jets, so don't get me wrong in my
following statement, but he'd better start staying after practice a
little more. It could turn the team around to have Zhamnov scoring like
he did at the beginning of last year.
Tony
Michael Andre Marion
>One thing I really found interesting about the practices is that Selanne
>was staying after practice to work on his shot and scoring ability. Do
>you think he is trying to send a little bit of a message to his
>temmates? He is the Jets leading scorer and he is one of the top scorers
>in the league, yet he still thinks he needs work. If you ask me, there
>should be 20+ other players out there with him working on extra things.
>I really respect Teemu for this because he is showing that he respects
>himself and the Jets by wanting to be better.
>Good for Teemu.
>Zhamnov is my favourite player on the Jets, so don't get me wrong in my
>following statement, but he'd better start staying after practice a
>little more. It could turn the team around to have Zhamnov scoring like
>he did at the beginning of last year.
>Tony
Ah, Tony, you got it, man. Zhamnov is also by far my favorite player.
Unfortunately it is painful to watch him waft on and off the ice without
doing a whole heck of a lot. What happened to that 53 points, third in
the league in scoring before he got injured form?
I would give my entire Village People album collection to have the real
Zhamnov back, rather than this looks-like-a-repeat-rookie-year
performance.
mmike
Chris Belway
Wait until the end of the year and the race for the 1st round draft pick
between the Jets and Senators starts to heat up.
C.
--
"Strong drink stupifies a man and makes it possible for him to forget; it
gives him an ARTIFICIAL cheeriness, an ARTIFICIAL excitement; and the
pleasure of this state is increased by the low level of civilisation and
the narrow empty life to which these men are confined"-Alexander Herzen