WINNIPEG – The Jets’ regular season came to an end Friday and players packed up Sunday.
“I think we’re all disappointed we didn’t make the playoffs, that’s for sure, but I believe we’re going in the right direction,” said Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec.
While they may have won their final game, the Jets lost more than half of the 82 games they played, a sore point for players and fans.
“I’m disappointed. I’ve got seasons tickets and I’m getting tired of going to the games,” said Jets fan Kevin Agius.
It has been seven years since the Jets and former Atlanta Thrashers franchise made it to the playoffs, the second-worst NHL record for making the playoffs. Only the Edmonton Oilers are worse, with eight seasons out of the playoffs.
With nine players on the injured list by the end of the season, odds were against the Jets.
“It’s tough because we had the injury bug at the end of the year, when you’re trying to make that push, so that didn’t help,” said Jets forward Evander Kane.
From injured necks, hands and backs, the injury list is endless.
Grant Clitsome had surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back and missed 46 games.
“The fact that the injury happened when it did obviously wasn’t good for my season, but now I’ll have a full summer of training,” said Clitsome.
And a mid-season coaching change also added to the mix. But Paul Maurice is fine with the season’s outcome.
“I wouldn’t have changed the end of this year. I know making the playoffs is the prize, but it’s not,” said Maurice.
While Jets fans might disagree with Maurice, their hope in the team isn’t completely lost.
“I’m gonna watch them again next year but I hope it’s different. I hope they make some changes,” said Agius.
Once exit meetings finish up Sunday, players will rest and relax for a couple of weeks before they start training again over the summer to be ready for training camp in September.
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