To add to this, there has been reporting by local journalists that the something has been broken in the locker room for a few years now. In the back half of 2018-19, the Jets traded for Hendricks essentially as director of morale to help the room. Then the Jets had Byfuglien retire unexpectedly the in 19-20 and then Wheeler admitted that he should have been easier on Laine after the latter was traded the following season. Maurice said in the past that he leaves the room to the Wheeler and it seems that it hasn't worked. Sean Reynolds (Sportsnet) said, “I can say that players have come to me to tell me that things are terrible inside that room” just this past April.

Is it all Wheeler's fault? No, but he shares in the responsibility with Maurice (now gone), Cheveldayoff (got an extension) and the owner (not going anywhere).

I think this is all just boiling over from last year and the trade talks at the beginning of the summer. This is Bowness's team now and he's going to do what he see's as best. I don't see this change coming from on specific incident but it's gotta be hard to keep Wheeler with the C after it was made known they were actively shopping him and that he was okay with that.

I also genuinely believe that this organization and Bowness in particular wants to see what other members of this team can bring to that table in terms of leadership because there are a lot of guys who don't wear a letter who are leaders in that room. Looking at guys like Ehlers & Lowry in particular.

I do think Dubois is a good leader. He often said a lot of what needed to be said last year. That’s why I gave him an A.