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Cheveldayoff Answers, 'Are the Jets an 'Unmitigated Disaster?'

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Jan 6, 2026 12:38 AM ET

Sometimes in hockey, reality has a way of hitting harder than you expect. The Winnipeg Jets went from winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season to sitting near the bottom of the league with just 34 points in 40 games. It’s enough to make anyone throw their hands up and call it an “unmitigated disaster.”

In fact, that’s exactly the question GM Kevin Cheveldayoff faced from the media. The way he responded says as much about leadership as it does about hockey.

Cheveldayoff Acknowledges His Disappointment

Cheveldayoff doesn’t shy away from the disappointment. “To a man, top to bottom… it starts with me,” he admits. He owns it, right out of the gate. The Jets aren’t performing, the structure that made them competitive isn’t clicking, and one-goal games aren’t going their way. A record like this could have been paralyzing, but Cheveldayoff uses it as a lens to focus on what can actually be controlled.

Instead of spiralling, Cheveldayoff leans into the grind. Head down, keep moving, keep believing there’s a better version of this team still there. He looks back at earlier seasons when things weren’t going well, when the Jets had to be honest about who they were and what needed fixing. Those moments didn’t break the team — they reshaped it.

The Jets’ Passion Hasn’t Wavered

The GM also emphasizes that passion hasn’t wavered. The fire to lead and compete is still there, burning deeply for both him and the organization. That matters. In tough stretches, the leader’s energy and commitment set the tone for everyone else. Players can see it, staff can feel it, and it keeps the work from spiralling into panic.

The insight here is clear: facing an “unmitigated disaster” isn’t just about recognizing failure. It’s about how you respond to the problem ahead. Cheveldayoff’s approach is grounded in accountability, controlling what you can, and focusing on persistence and process. His message to the Jets — and to anyone watching — is that a bad run isn’t the end. Instead, it’s a chance to lead, to improve, and to stay the course.

Disaster Is Defined by the Next Steps, Not the Setback

In hockey, as in life, disaster is defined less by the setback itself than by the choices that follow. Cheveldayoff’s choices suggest that even the roughest patch can be a moment to show true leadership — owning the problem, staying focused, and keeping the fire alive.

That’s why teams that look the hockey gods square in the eye and keep on trucking often come out the other side stronger than when they went in.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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