If you’ve spent any time in a Tim Hortons in Manitoba lately, you know the vibe. It is tense. Being the coach of Winnipeg Jets is never a walk in the park, but right now, Scott Arniel is essentially trying to fix a plane while it’s flying through a blizzard.
Winning three games in a row sounds like a dream for some teams. For the current Jets, it's a frantic exhale after a nightmare. Just a couple of weeks ago, this squad was staring down the barrel of an 11-game losing streak that had the local media sharpening their axes.
The Rollercoaster in the Peg
Honestly, the contrast between last season and this one is enough to give any fan whiplash. Remember 2024-25? Arniel was the hero. He took over from Rick Bowness and led the team to a Presidents' Trophy. 56 wins. A Jack Adams finalist nod. Everything he touched turned to gold.
Now, the 2025-26 season feels like the universe is trying to balance the scales in the most painful way possible. As of mid-January 2026, the Jets are sitting at 18-22-5. That puts them 8th in the Central Division. It’s not where anyone expected to be, especially with a roster that still features heavy hitters like Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.
Injuries: The "Bad News" Presser
You’ve probably seen the clip from Wednesday’s practice. Arniel stood in front of the microphones and basically had to list off his defensive core like a casualty report. Neal Pionk, Haydn Fleury, and Colin Miller are all week-to-week.
"We've got some bad news going here," Arniel told reporters. You could see it in his face—the guy is tired.
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Losing Pionk is the gut punch. He’s the guy who eats up 23 minutes a night and runs the second power-play unit. When you’re already struggling to keep the puck out of your net, losing three blueliners at once is a recipe for disaster. This is where we see what a coach is really made of. Can he plug the holes with AHL call-ups like Elias Salomonsson and Isaak Phillips?
Salomonsson is only 21. He’s got talent, but throwing a kid into a top-four role during a playoff push is a massive gamble.
Why the "Fragile" Label Matters
There was a moment during that 11-game slide where even opposing coaches were calling the Jets "fragile." That’s a stinging word in a hockey locker room. It implies that the second things go wrong, the team folds.
Arniel didn't shy away from it. After a recent 5-4 win over the Islanders—a game where they nearly blew a 3-0 lead—he admitted the team had been "tentative" and "afraid to make plays."
Basically, the coach of Winnipeg Jets has spent the last month playing psychologist as much as strategist.
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The X-Factor: Special Teams and Analytics
If you look at the numbers, there’s some weird stuff going on. The power play is actually decent, clicking at around 19%, but the 5-on-5 play has been a disaster.
- Expected Goals For (xGF%): At one point earlier this season, the Jets were dead last in the league.
- Penalty Kill: They’ve been shorthanded way too often, and the PK hasn't been the brick wall it was last year.
- Goaltending: Even Connor Hellebuyck, who usually bails this team out, has looked human with an .887 save percentage.
It’s easy to blame the coach when the goalie isn't making saves, but Arniel’s system depends on high-pressure defense. When the defensemen are injured or slow to the puck, the whole house of cards falls over.
What Most People Get Wrong About Arniel
A lot of folks think Arniel is just a "player's coach" who got lucky with a hot roster last year. That's a bit unfair. He’s been in the game forever. He played for the original Jets. He coached the Moose. He knows this market better than almost anyone.
The real issue isn't his hockey IQ; it's the roster depth. When Nikolaj Ehlers left for Carolina over the summer, it ripped a hole in the scoring depth that hasn't been filled. Gabe Vilardi and Cole Perfetti are trying, but the secondary scoring just isn't there.
Looking Ahead: Can He Save the Season?
The next few weeks are everything. They play Minnesota tonight, and the schedule doesn't get easier. If Arniel can guide this depleted roster through the end of January and stay within sniffing distance of a Wild Card spot, he might keep his job.
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But let’s be real. In a "what have you done for me lately" league, the grace period from last year's Presidents' Trophy is officially over.
Actionable Takeaways for Jets Fans
If you're watching the games this week, keep an eye on these specific shifts to see if the coaching adjustments are working:
- The "Kid" Minutes: Watch how much ice time Salomonsson gets. If Arniel hides him on the third pair, he doesn't trust the depth. If he plays 18+ minutes, the coach is going "all-in" on the youth.
- The Neutral Zone Trap: When the Jets were winning last year, they were a nightmare to skate through. Lately, teams are flying through the middle. Look for the forwards to start "stacking" the blue line to slow the game down.
- Net Front Presence: Almost all their goals against the Islanders came from long shots with screens. If they aren't getting bodies in front of the net, they aren't playing "Arniel hockey."
Check the injury reports daily because the defensive pairings are going to be a revolving door for the next 14 days. If Pionk returns early, the season might be salvageable. If not, the coach of Winnipeg Jets is going to have to pull a rabbit out of a hat just to keep them out of the basement.
Keep a close eye on the waiver wire as well. Kevin Cheveldayoff is notoriously patient, but with three defensemen down, Arniel might finally force his hand to make a trade.