The early part of the 2024-2025 NHL season has seen the Winnipeg Jets emerge as formidable contenders, topping the league standings after a remarkable winning streak of seven games. This impressive performance can be largely attributed to the team's new head coach, Scott Arniel, who took over last summer following Rick Bowness's retirement after nearly four decades behind NHL benches.
Players requested Arniel to push them like elite competitors and coach them with the same intensity. "We asked him to be pushed like an elite team and coached like an elite team," said Josh Morrissey, the Jets' top defenseman. The Jets have certainly risen to the occasion, realized through their remarkable play this season. With their exceptional pace, they have not only showcased elite goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck but have also emerged as the league's highest-scoring team, boasting the best power play and yielding the fewest goals per game.
Arniel commented on their diverse play style: "We’re not one-dimensional. We have firepower. We have our power play that's No. 1, but our 5-on-5 offense has been a big part of it. We’ve won games in many different ways." The Jets' offensive prowess is reflected by the presence of two of the league's top goal-scorers—Mark Scheifele with 31 goals and Kyle Connor with 30. On top of this, Morrissey stands out among defensemen, positioning himself well for the Norris Trophy, which honors the best defenseman.
At the goaltending position, Hellebuyck has been nothing short of remarkable. With a record of 33-7-2, he is on track to challenge the single-season wins record of 48 held jointly by Braden Holtby and Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur. His stellar performance includes leading the league with a 2.04 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. Arniel praised Hellebuyck's skill, saying, "Having a guy like [Hellebuyck] back there, he makes the game look so easy... he’s a student of the game. He loves to kind of watch what’s going on around him, and he has such great anticipation of what’s coming at him."
The transformation under Arniel is particularly interesting considering it’s his second stint as head coach—his first being with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010 to 2012. His previous experience as associate coach under Bowness has helped create continuity—a factor key to the Jets' winning mentality. Winger Vladislav Namestnikov expressed gratitude for Arniel’s demanding approach, saying, "He’s a very demanding coach and puts us all on the same page. Every game we go out there and play for each other, and he kind of bonds the team together."
This shift has contributed to promising results, allowing the Jets to maneuver through the NHL season with heightened expectations. Commenting on the coach's impact, Morrissey noted, "His composure on the bench has been something we’ve responded well to. Obviously, we were comfortable with him from the last couple years; it felt he had a good rapport with us and both sides knew one another pretty well."
While the midseason coaching change can sometimes bring mixed outcomes, historical precedents show challenges, as no team has won the Stanley Cup with a coach elevated from assistant since Edmonton's victory back in 1987. Reflecting on this dynamics, Arniel has adeptly picked moments to motivate and challenge his players, especially after back-to-back losses, managing to steer the team back on track. Since then, they’ve not tasted defeat. "That’s the standard he’s held us to, and we’ve as a team held ourselves to the same standard," said Morrissey, reflecting collective team goals and the unity they embody.
Despite their current success, the Jets are well aware of the historical hurdles before them; they have not yet reached the final round of the playoffs since their return to Winnipeg. Their last successful run was to the Western Conference final back in 2018. The team understands the trials of playoff hockey and the significance of maintaining form and fitness as they appreciate the idea of consistency through the regular season to build confidence. Arniel adds depth to this approach, emphasizing, "You have to build... it’s about being able to do it over the course of the 82 games... so when you go to those playoffs, you're confident you’re going to win hockey games because of how you’re playing."
Moving forward, the jets are poised, prepared for the challenges of playoff hockey. While the regular season establishes their standings reflected by their current performances, it will be the intensity of spring hockey tested over best-of-seven series which will determine their ultimate fate. Nevertheless, morale is high, and with Arniel at the helm, the Jets seem ready to turn their past disappointments around, striving to prove they can be contenders not just for the season, but also when it matters the most.