Paul Stastny lashes out at some of his teammates and makes shocking comments
For the first time since the spring of 2017, the Winnipeg Jets have been shut out of the playoffs. Despite having several big names on the roster, the Manitoba squad finished the season in 11th place in the Western Conference, eight points behind the Nashville Predators and the final spot available for the spring tournament.
At the Jets' post-season wrap-up, veteran Paul Stastny was quick to criticize some of his teammates and the atmosphere within the team.
"When you don't have that element on a team and you don't care about the teammate next to you and you only care about what you do individually, it starts to hurt on the ice."
"I hope they learn from that, that they realize that over the summer and that they say to themselves that they don't want to be in the same position next year because it hurts when you see the playoffs start tomorrow and you're not playing anymore."
Stastny, who will be an uncompensated free agent this summer, wasn't the only veteran on the roster to offer some criticism of his teammates. Forward Blake Wheeler said the players didn't respect the system the coaches had put in place.
It will be recalled that head coach Paul Maurice, who had been with the team since the 2013-14 season, had resigned last December and was replaced on an interim basis by Dave Lowry.
Despite a record of just over .500 at the helm of the team, Lowry was not able to raise the team and it was learned in the last few days that he will not be back with the team next year, as well as his assistants Jamie Kompon and Charlie Huddy.
After a Western Hockey Association Final appearance in 2018, the Jets have managed to win only one series since then, last year when they swept the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, before suffering the same fate against the Habs.
A big thanks to Raphaël Simard of Danslescoulisses.com for the info.
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