The 2020 NHL postseason is definitely not like any we’ve seen before. Not only is it happening in just two cities total, with no fans in the stands, but it also included this intriguing (and highly unlikely) caveat. Somehow, some way, the #1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft was going to fall into the laps of a team playing in the qualifying round.
The chances were absolutely miniscule, but when all the cards had been turned the #1 pick was still vacant. That gave fans and teams that lose the play-in round a little something extra to be excited about – Alexis Lafreniere.
The star QMJHL player kicked off a “sweepstakes” of sorts that ended up with the New York Rangers becoming the lucky winners. While it undoubtedly would have brought at least a slight disappointment to all the teams that lost out on Laf, Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice wants to be clear… he wasn’t expecting Lafreniere anyway!
That… is super relatable.
In what can likely now be coined “Maurice-isms”, it’s not surprising to hear a metaphor like this come from the Jets’ bench boss. He’s got a way with words that is certainly very unique, and we can’t really imagine many other coaches in the league casually pulling it off.
In an offseason that is bound to be full of questions, it’s nice to see Maurice so relaxed.
(H/T Scott Billick)
