Apr 5, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) scores a goal in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Green
Sometimes a veteran player, or just a human being in general, can begin to feel under-utilized, under-appreciated, or just in need of a change in routine/scenery. Change can be a great catalyst in creating a spark of resurgence for a person/player, and I feel that Mike Green will definitely benefit from being signed to the Detroit Red Wings this season.
Now in Detroit and under the guidance of Jeff Blashill, I expect Green to embrace the leadership/bigger role that the Red Wings signed him to take on. It was apparent that Green wanted out of Washington and wasn’t going to be re-signed. With the Caps unwilling to trade him in the final year of his contract, it’s no surprise that he choose to have a fresh start in Hockeytown. It’s important to remember that like Jeff Blashill, Mike Green wanted to be in Detroit.
Blashill had nothing but positive and encouraging things to say about his newly acquired blue-liner.
"“I went back and watched a bunch of his shifts, and he’s my kind of player in the sense that I like a defenseman who can move the puck. And as I said when we signed him, the best defense is getting back the puck and moving it out of your zone. And I think he does that very, very well.”"
As long as Green continues to exhibit the type of positive skills that the Red Wings signed him for while working on aspects of his game that might not be as desirable, I expect the veteran defenceman to log a lot ice-time while finding a new spark and love for the game of hockey.
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