Red Wings: Why Jeff Blashill isn’t Going Anywhere
By John Manzo
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman gives praise to head coach Jeff Blashill, who’ll likely remain head coach for the 2020-21 season.
There you have it.
Earlier today, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman announced he’s not looking to replace head coach Jeff Blashill for the 2020-21 season.
And rightfully so.
There are many Red Wings fans – who I would call the majority – that have voiced their displeasure over Blashill on our Facebook page over the months (shameless Facebook plug here)! That’s what happens when you’ve had five seasons with a team and very limited success.
I’ve shared my thoughts on wanting a new coach, too. I think the organization needs a fresh face to get them to the next level. A respected coach, a proven one.
Scotty, oh Scotttttttttttyyyyyy, are you there? Kidding, kidding, kind of.
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This team in its current state isn’t ready for a veteran head coach. They were last in the NHL in scoring, still don’t have enough defensive depth, don’t have a long-term goalie solution and there are prospects that need more development time.
Blashill needs to be the Tommy Amaker to John Beilein, the Rick Carlisle to Larry Brown. I really hope you guys get those references. If not, it means sometimes there is a development coach before the championship one.
The organization – fair or not – needs a coach to develop this young core and then have a veteran lead them to Stanley Cups. Emphasis on the “S” to get you guys excited.
I still think Blashill can be the development coach, not the winning one. He has familiarity with the organization, some – albeit limited – talent to work with and one more year on his contract…which now sounds like it’ll happen based on Yzerman’s comments today.
This year on the contract is key because Yzerman can let this expire next season and have Blashill walk in a move that will please the PR department.
Throw in that we’re in a global pandemic and that’s the recipe to why he will be the Red Wings coach for the 2020-21 season.