It is rare for an NHL coach whose team has missed the playoffs four consecutive seasons to maintain his position, but Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has been a supporter of Jeff Blashill, much like Ken Holland before him.
Yzerman does not fault Blashill for the team’s struggles. He realizes they are thin on talent and it would be difficult for any coach to win with this roster.
That is why Yzerman did not hire a new coach when he took over two years ago and why didn’t change after last season, when the Red Wings finished with by far the worst record in the league.
But, ultimately, the team must show some progress. The Red Wings reached the midway mark of the season at 8-16-4. They have the third-worst points percentage in the league (.357), playing in a Central Division that features the NHL’s top three teams based on points percentage (Tampa Bay, Carolina, Florida).
Blashill is in the final year of his contract. Only Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper and Winnipeg’s Paul Maurice have longer tenure with their current teams.
Blashill’s performance is going to be evaluated as much or more on the development and progress of younger players as it will be judged on the team’s record.
The Red Wings aren’t going to reach the playoffs, but could they play well enough in the second half to convince Yzerman to sign Blashill to an extension? Or is it time for change?
Blashill’s future was foremost on the minds of MLive readers in this week’s mailbag.
Q: How much longer do you think coach Blashill will be allowed to coach the team? And who may be able to replace him? He doesn’t seem to be a good man for the Detroit Red Wings. – Tom
A: Two factors will determine if Yzerman makes a change, I believe. The team’s performance in the second half (including progression of younger players) and what coaches might be available.
If Yzerman makes a change I think he will seek someone with NHL experience.
Many fans have expressed a desire for the club to hire former Red Wing Gerard Gallant, who had success in Florida and Vegas before getting fired in January 2020. He is still available, surprisingly.
But I doubt the Red Wings will hire Gallant if they replace Blashill after the season. Yzerman and Gallant were longtime teammates and linemates and I get the feeling Yzerman would not want to be in a position of having to fire Gallant in a few years if it didn’t pan out.
That might be the same reason Yzerman would be hesitant to hire Lane Lambert, another former teammate and friend who is the associate coach under Barry Trotz with the New York Islanders.
Keep an eye on Rod Brind’Amour’s situation in Carolina.
His stock is rising after guiding the Hurricanes to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, winning a round each year before being eliminated by the Bruins. Carolina looks like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Brind’Amour is in the final year of his contract and the Hurricanes haven’t extended him yet though they are reportedly in negotiations. If they lowball him, he might leave, like Trotz did after winning the Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018.
If Brind’Amour becomes available, I believe he will be at the top of the Red Wings’ wish list, and they surely would be willing to pay much more than Carolina.
They could have stiff competition for his services from the expansion Seattle Kraken, whose general manager Ron Francis was Brind’Amour’s former teammate and GM in Carolina.
Q: At what point does having the worst specialty teams for the third year in a row become a reflection of poor coaching? – Bill
A: The power play should be better than is has been the past few years. Not great, but at least not at or near the bottom of the league. While players are to blame for failing to execute, particularly on entries, the coaching staff has not done a good job devising schemes and coming up with combinations that would lead to at least a little more success.
Q: After four points in four games, why would you replace Evgeny (Svechnikov) with people who haven’t scored four points in a year? – Bill
A: Blashill was vague when asked why Svechnikov was scratched Tuesday (and Thursday) against the Lightning, essentially saying he went with the lineup he believed gave them the best chance to win. Someone needed to come out with Dylan Larkin back and Blashill kept Mathias Brome (one point in 24 games) in the lineup on Tuesday before scratching him Thursday to make room for Troy Stecher (they dressed seven defensemen).
Yzerman’s decision to waive Svechnikov before the season without giving him an opportunity was strange. The club’s top pick in 2015 at least has earned the opportunity to get an extended look.
Svechnikov on Friday was reassigned to Grand Rapids, where it is better for him to play regularly than sit out in Detroit.
Q: I love Brome. He’s always moving, challenging opponents and never backs down. After he broke the ice and scored, his ice time dropped off. What’s his future with the Wings? – Gary
A: Blashill and Yzerman are pleased with Brome’s play despite his lack of production. They like that he skates well, plays hard and plays a two-way game. He is a restricted free agent after the season. My guess is they will offer him a short-term deal. Then it’s up to Brome to decide if he wants to remain in the NHL, where there’s a chance he could be waived and sent to Grand Rapids and earn a much-lower AHL salary (unless he gets a one-way contract), as opposed to returning to Sweden for better guaranteed money.
(If you have a Red Wings-related question, email akhan1@mlive.com).
More: Red Wings have decision to make on Jonathan Bernier
The Link LonkMarch 13, 2021 at 06:01PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/03/red-wings-mailbag-rod-brindamour-on-detroits-radar.html
Red Wings mailbag: Rod Brind’Amour on Detroit’s radar? - MLive.com
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