Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler shouldered the blame for his club's frustrating 2021-22 campaign.

"I certainly take the responsibility for where this team sits," he told reporters Thursday. "I'm hopeful that we have a locker room full of guys doing the same thing. Like I said, I've tried to build this into something we can be proud of, something that can be a championship level every year. And when you fall short of that, you've got to take responsibility for it."

The Jets were eliminated from playoff contention when the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Washington Capitals in overtime on Wednesday night, marking the first time since 2016-17 that the team failed to make the postseason.

Wheeler gave a grim outlook when comparing this year's club to past Winnipeg teams that missed the playoffs.