I would start with a new coach first to see if it maybe breathes new life into him and maybe might break him of this complacency.

I’m not sure that how good a player is means they’re a good captain or not, since the captain title is essentially just saying that they need to talk to the refs and media the most.

Although if you’re having problems with poor play from the player wearing the C, Montréal is very much in the same boat.

Unfortunately the only time Wheeler talks to the refs is on his way to the penalty box.

I'd say no he isn't, I used to think he was a good leader but after hearing some stuff from a good source my opinion of Wheeler changed and his influence on Scheifele hasn't been good either.

So guess we can all see now that Laine wasn't the sole problem with this team as the internal issues remain.

Oh well, there's always next year for this team I guess, hopefully there's major changes coming as they appear to be very much needed.

I mean, is WPG NHL franchise material right now?

this is equivalent to the title of your post. Are you in their dressing room everyday, at their practice everyday, in their weight room everyday, on the ice everyday? Because if you are then you’re qualified to question his C.

To say it in the dressing room/practice/weight room is one thing but you then you must back it up. Lazy penalties and by far the worst +/- on the team is not a captain that players look up to. After awhile it does drain a team.

Last penalties could be a result of him playing with a nagging injury, one they won’t disclose to the public or other teams they will compete against.. +/- is nearly irrelevant, it shows with lazy players like Kessel sure, but other times it’s the fact that your line is up against the top players playing against you. Can some players get off the ice at the right time to avoid a -, yup, can some get on the ice and get a - before being part of a play, yup. It’s stupid stat that is fun in a rotisserie pool only. Meaningless and never has any impact on their contract signings. I’d be more then happy to take him of your hands.. he produces every year and looks the part of C every year, perhaps there is a valid and excellent reason you don’t feel that way this season

How can you blame Maurice? The D is just so bad. I’d blame Chevy over Maurice.

Winnipeg has been playing the 3rd line against the opposition's first line for the main reason that our first line of Wheeler, Scheifele, and Connor get out score (+/-). Removing the "C" from Wheeler is probably the kick in the ass he needs.

Oh I agree that the D is bad but that is a different issue.

Has Maurice been that bad?

I would understand your philosophy if we didn’t have Stanley rotting on the taxi squad and Heinola on the moose, both who are already better than the “grizzled gud guy” vets that PoMo prefers to utilize. We have better D, Maurice is too blind, stubborn or stuck in his antiquated ways to play them. That’s on him, not Chevy.

Honestly, wheeler probably isn’t captain material. Based on things I’ve heard I say that. Also, am I the only one who’s noticed the complete change in their defensive structure? They went from a basic defensive structure where wingers stay high. Now they defend as a 5 man unit. Obviously if they had a stronger d group it would probably be a lot more effective. That’s chevys issue, not Maurice.

Maurice literally said he wanted an extended look at Benn before playoffs. Not a bad idea.

If we knew what the trade deadlines deals were and why they didn't work then I could comment on Chevy.

Maurice's coaching style has run it course and change is needed. Some players have become too comfortable and it is affecting other players.

Yes, I understand that he wants to see what a player brings but he always, always prefers depth vets over rookies, regardless of what skill or talent they may bring, and all evidence points to that. This is more than being about trying Benn for a few games, PoMo has been running this way for years and people are just now finally noticing his penchant bias’ towards vets

I’ve always seen this bias, but honestly I don’t mind him getting an extended look at Benn. We’re pretty much safe for the playoffs (I know there’s a tiny chance we miss if we lose every game) and there’s no reason not to try and find what works. Also Benn hasn’t been that bad, I’d rather see them scratch Morrissey for one game, bring Stanley in. Make pionk and Forbort top pair, Stanley and DeMelo 2nd pair, Benn and Poolman 3rd pair.

If they do that, and see how it works I’d be happy. There’s also no reason to try new forward lines.