Tensions Flaring in Winnipeg as Players Call Out Their Coach
PUBLICATION
Wade Messier
April 29, 2023 (11:07)
The Winnipeg Jets have officially been eliminated from the playoffs after a heartbreaking loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. With changes seeming all but guaranteed at this point, how will the dynamic between the players and their coach change?
Wheeler Calls Out Bowness Over Comments
Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness didn't have very many nice things to say about his team following their elimination to Vegas in the quarterfinals. His first year coaching in Winnipeg was met with plenty of pushback from players, as he shook up their leadership core and changed their identity.
«I'm so disappointed and disgusted right now,»
«Their better players were so much better than our players tonight and it's not even close» - Rick Bowness
Blake Wheeler, who Bowness stripped of his captaincy heading into this season, pushed back on some of his coach's comments, expressing some frustration with Bowness.
«I thought Bones had an opportunity to address us as a team. He could've been honest with us, handled it behind closed doors I didn't like how he handled himself after the game.» - Blake Wheeler
Clearly there's a sizable disconnect between the coaching staff and their players, and it looks like Winnipeg may be in for a large roster shakeup this summer. Hopefully the Jet's management can figure out the best solution to all this animosity.
John Lu on Twitter
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