BABYCH: POSITIVITY IN WINNIPEG FOR JETS

By: Brayden Wozniak, RP Show Intern

Dave Babych, former NHL player and Jets Alumni (1980-86), believes Winnipeg could have a rebound season after missing the playoffs in 2022.

So far this pre-season, the Jets have looked good including a 5-3 win at Calgary on Friday night. Many don’t care for exhibition game results, but the potential is there. 

On the Rod Pedersen Show this week on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio, Babych credited Winnipeg’s ownership and the people of Manitoba for building a solid team and keeping the talent in town. 

“The ownership group is terrific,” said Babych. “Very community-orientated, and they just get it. I think they have to because it’s a small community.” 

The Jets have a long history of struggling to sign free agents. The cold weather and the small market don’t make for an enticing destination. However other than disgruntled former second-round pick Patrik Laine, whom they traded for Pierre-Luc Dubois two seasons ago, the team has been able to retain their star players. 

“Once you get the taste of Winnipeg and how good the people are and how passionate they are, guys don’t want to leave,” said Babych. 

“They might just have to buy a warmer coat.” 

The Jets have struggled the last few years since their 2018 Western Conference Finals appearance, but the core has remained largely intact excluding the retired Dustin Byfuglien. 

Kyle Connor and Nikolai Ehlers have made significant strides since that playoff run, and they still have star goalie Connor Hellebuyck in net. 

After the Jets blanked the Flames 5-0 at home this week, a game in which many starters played for both teams, the question was raised on whether freshly hired head coach Rick Bowness could bring this team back around. 

“I think they’re pretty positive,” said Babych. “They blew out Calgary … They got a good bunch.” 

A poor season 2021-22 season that saw Paul Maurice step down as head coach, a lackluster off-season and the stripping of the captaincy from Blake Wheeler had many people believing the Jets would be a lottery team this year. 

The inner turmoil that seemed to be plaguing the Jets may have been resolved with the hiring of Bowness, who Babych called “such a personable guy.” 

If he can right the ship, the pieces are there for the Winnipeg Jets to contend once again.