ANALYSIS: Health key for banged-up Jets as they approach 50 games

We’ve each been witnesser to the Winnipeg Jets‘ roller-coaster thrust successful the past fewer weeks. We’ve seen the vexation connected the players’ faces and heard it first-hand from caput manager Scott Arniel.

“Playing 60 minutes,” “playing with urgency,” “playing consistently” are the phrases we’ve heard from everyone. Cliches? Yes. True? For sure. By the way, successful the canine days of January, I deliberation we are proceeding it from 32 teams.

The world of this play successful the NHL is that the Jets aren’t the lone squad searching for improvements. Almost each squad successful the league needs much consistency.

But present are a fewer things to cognize astir this constituent successful the season: the docket is hard. Too galore games and not capable days. Teams are pushing their players arsenic they vie for playoff spots oregon adjacent vie conscionable to get into the post-season.

Lots of games, not capable clip to recuperate oregon rehab are facts of beingness close now. Understand that arsenic each squad is successful that 50-game range, each feline connected the roster is starting to consciousness it. The bumps and bruises are hurting conscionable a small spot much and they won’t spell away. In reality, they volition consciousness it until the February interruption oregon possibly the remainder of the season.

You wage the terms to play this game.

Which leads you to wonderment — what terms should you wage for finishing archetypal successful the division? Is it worthy risking injuries and players skating connected fumes nighttime aft night?

Speaking with Dallas GM Jim Nill earlier this week, helium is 1 of those convinced that winning the Central Division conscionable isn’t arsenic important arsenic immoderate people, immoderate fans, believe. Obviously, getting successful the playoffs is key, but volition it substance which bid that Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota and the Jets are in? Particularly, if they aren’t adjacent to 100 per cent?

It’s thing I’m definite that each playoff squad has to deliberation astir betwixt present and April. If you person a prime of finishing archetypal oregon finishing healthy, steadfast wins.