By Jordan Long
The Winnipeg Jets are the latest team who has hired a new Head Coach. They are going with Rick Bowness. This leaves the San Jose Sharks as the only NHL team still looking for a Head Coach.
Winnipeg’s job had been open since Paul Maurice resigned on December 17, 2021. At the time the Jets stood at 13-11-5. Assistant Dave Lowry took over for the rest of the season. He went 26-22-8 but the Jets finished the season with 89 points, missing the postseason. Even though Lowry coached them to a winning record, it wasn’t enough for him to keep the job. The Jets started a coaching search.
Now their first choice, and it would have made a lot of sense, was Barry Trotz. He had NHL Head Coaching experience and won a Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018. Trotz was let go when the Islanders finished the year at 37-35-10. The Jets wanted Trotz but Trotz turned them down. He wants to take the year off.
The Jets decided to go with another Head Coach who has NHL Head Coaching experience, Rick Bowness. According to ESPN.com, General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets Kevin Cheveldayoff said, “If you ever get a chance to sit one on one, [Bowness is] easy to talk to, very engaging and that’s what players are looking for. They’re looking to be heard, but yet they want to know that someone is in charge. Over that evolution process of his career, I think that’s probably been one of the most remarkable things, his ability to evolve and connect with today’s players.”
Bowness has 639 games of Head Coaching experience. His overall record as Head Coach is 212 wins, 351 losses, 48 ties, and 28 overtime losses. Bowness’ teams earned a playoff spot 3 times. When he was with Dallas in 2020, they advanced to the Stanley Cup final but were beaten by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Of course, that year ended in the bubble in Edmonton due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Bowness was let go by Dallas at the end of the year. He finished 46-30-6 earning a playoff spot. Unfortunately, they were knocked out of the first-round by the Calgary Flames in game 7. They dropped game 7 in overtime by the final of 3-2.
The Jets are hoping Bowness is the answer. Their goal next year is to earn a playoff spot and after that advance far in the playoffs. The Jets have never been to the Stanley Cup Final in their history. They were close in 2018 as they went to the Western Conference Finals. They were beaten by the Vegas Golden Knights in 5 games. Bowness has his chance to lead this team. The best case is he helps them become a consistent playoff team who is a threat to win the Cup. If the Jets play poor hockey in the next few years, he could be gone. The Jets anticipate results with him.
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