Detroit Red Wings: Filip Hronek somehow becomes overlooked

Jeff Blashill made a lineup decision that is the definition of the Jeff Blashill coaching philosophy prior to last night’s game when he decided to scratch Filip Hronek. Should we be surprised? Really though, it was a decision that had described the Detroit Red Wings over the last ten years.

Although the Wings skated to a 3-1 victory over the Ducks, the Detroit Red Wings head coach won’t be getting much love from the fan base this morning. With the return of Danny DeKeyser, Jeff Blashill have a lineup decision to make. DeKeyser had been sidelined since early December after taking a Steven Stamkos one-timer off the hand/wrist area.

He blocked the Stamkos blast while defending against the Lightning while they were on the power-play. Stammer likes to hang out in the circle similar to Alex Ovechkin during Washington PP’s. The puck found him, and it was more of DeKeyser being in the way, rather than him blocking it. I give Danny all the credit for his effort after the puck struck him. He was unable to grip his stick and fought Stamkos off and with his excellent hand helped shovel the puck out of the zone.

Anyhow, he was able to return to the lineup last night for the Detroit Red Wings. Filip Hronek had recorded 5 points in his previous 5 games, yet he was the chosen one to sit out? Somehow in Jeff Blashill’s mind, this makes perfect sense. To me, that is absolutely terrifying.

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Jeff had three different options when he was writing in the lineup, and he decided to choose the worst one in my opinion. Danny DeKeyser was going to play, he’s averaged 21:07 TOI this season and has regularly played as the Detroit Red Wings top pairing defender. He returned with a splash recording 2 assists last night.

With Danny in, someone had to be out. The obvious choice in my mind would be Jonathan Ericsson. He himself notched a pair of assists in Minnesota, but more often than not he’s a liability on the ice. He struggles to keep up with the pace of play and opposing players are regularly beating him wide with speed as he tries to defend in his own zone.

Another option would be dress 11 forwards and 7 defenders. The Detroit Red Wings haven’t been opposed to doing this in the past. It allows the team to roll three centers through four sets of wingers. Blashill uses Christoffer Ehn sparingly anyway, and the Wings have plenty of capable penalty killing forwards dressed. Ehn isn’t going to help you offensively, and although he is good defensively, he can be expendable at this point.

The third option was the option head coach Jeff Blashill decided to choose, scratch Filip Hronek. He’s recorded 5 points in the last 5 games, and 9 points in 21 games this season. He’s looked much better during this second stint with the team. He was on the team to start the season because of the limited healthy bodies the Wings had, and at times struggled. This more recent stint he’s creating offense and continues to improve in his own zone.

He didn’t deserve to be scratched; I feel it was the wrong choice even though we won the game. It’s been the same old story on a different day. The franchise doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of their veteran players. Ken Holland has a history of seeking out a veteran player to add to already one of the older teams in the league. In fact, for many years the oldest team.

Jeff Blashill didn’t want to walk up to a healthy 34-year-old Jonathan Ericsson and tell him he would be sitting in the press box, and it is an absolute shame. I mean if Hronek was struggling and looked like he was a young player fighting it, sure give him a break but not during a stretch of hockey that’s seen him record a point per game over the last five.

Until the decision making becomes about the franchise, rather than the individual the team will continue to sputter. A change is needed, and I expect a change in leadership to be made at the conclusion of the season.