Nothing Doing In Ontario For Jets

It was another off-night for the Winnipeg Jets in their sixth game of the season.

For the third time in three games the Jets managed to score the opening goal, but for the second time in three games, they did not manage to keep the lead stand up.

Many knew that scoring was an issue for the team last season in Atlanta and this season scoring has also been a problem in the early going.

Maybe it isn't scoring - maybe it's the lack of an identity yet.

We are talking about being only six games into the season - so please put away the panic button, it's unnecessary at this time.

What the Jets truly need is an identity which they can fix their focus around for the season.

I look back and watch the same team in Atlanta last season and I can see that they were starting to form an identity with GM Rick Dudley and head coach Craig Ramsay at the helm.

They wanted to change the atmosphere and perception of the franchise, however, they came in with changes a few years too late.

Now that True North is putting their stamp on the Jets, they are going through another - shall we say 'identity crisis'.

With Claude Noel and staff being the third coaching staff many of these players have had the past three seasons, the adjustment needs to be made quickly, but the mindset of the players needs to be that these coaches are here for the long run this time.

There's a sense of commitment there.

A sense of community.

But also a sense of accountability in the locker room between coaches and players.

So, once again, put away the panic button and no - Dustin Byfuglien will not be a forward this season, so stop talking about it - it's not going to happen.

Two games here at home in the confines of the MTS Centre and then the Jets go on an extensive seven game road trip before they are back in Winnipeg November 10th.

And it isn't a walk in the park, as the Jets will meet the likes of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Buffalo Sabres, and the New York Rangers.

This will be the early season identity crisis test and hopefully our boys come back better off than worse off.

Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports & Getty Images