Insider reports suggest the Jets reject quitting, believing they're better than their record. They're fighting for the playoffs, not ready to sell assets.
The Winnipeg Jets currently find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture, facing the possibility of not making the postseason for the first time in four seasons. With the Olympic trade freeze and the NHL trade deadline approaching, the organization is nearing a crossroads as it decides whether to push for a playoff spot or begin selling assets and focusing on next season.
While many fans have been calling for a longer-term approach for some time, the players and coaching staff have continued to express confidence in the group. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, that belief also exists within the organization, as he does not think the Jets are ready to sell just yet.
Speaking on The Fan Hockey Show last week, Friedman said he has heard the Jets believe they are a better team than their record suggests. He also noted that it is not in the team’s DNA to pack it in, which points to Winnipeg continuing to fight until the very end in an attempt to reach the postseason.
The Jets now enter a crucial stretch of the schedule beginning Tuesday with a road game in New Jersey against the Devils. That contest opens a four-game road trip before the team returns to Manitoba for a home matchup against the Montreal Canadiens just ahead of the Olympic break.
Winnipeg will then head back on the road for another three games. It is a demanding stretch that could heavily influence the team’s direction. Continued struggles could quickly shift the conversation toward selling, while a strong performance could generate interest in adding to the roster, especially with an eight-game homestand following the trip.
Either way, the Jets and their fans should soon have clarity on whether the team plans to be buyers or sellers as the season progresses.
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