‘Not where we want to be’: Jets coach reflects on missing playoffs

Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel speak to media after the Jets’ season ended last week.

The head coach of the Winnipeg Jets said he is disappointed at how the team’s most recent season ended.

One year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the best league record, the Jets finished their season with a 35-35-12 record and were eliminated from playoff contention.

“This is not where we want to be with the Winnipeg Jets,” head coach Scott Arniel said during a news conference Monday morning at Canada Life Centre.

Arniel said he takes responsibility for a lot of what went on during the season, but is not stepping down.

“At the end of the day, there are a lot of things I have to look at,” he said. “I have four-and-a-half months to get ready.”

“I’ll do my homework on what we went through and the different things I’ll need to look at. I’ll look at other teams, meet with management, meet with my staff. There’s a lot of things I need to cover.”

On Friday, players held their media availability and locker room cleanout, with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck calling this year’s results “unacceptable.”

“To take the step back that we did this year just felt very wrong,” Hellebuyck said. “From the Presidents’ Trophy to this, it felt like this should have never happened.

“And it did. I’m part of it. I’m not saying that I’m not a big part of it too. I am. Looking at the future, it takes time. It takes time to re-evaluate those things.”

Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is also scheduled to speak later Monday.

This is a developing story. More details to come.

• With files from The Canadian Press