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Detroit Red Wings: Wait on Decision to Extend Blashill’s Deal Finally Ends

By Jeff Hawkins

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill gives players direction during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 27, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Red WIngs 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill gives players direction during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 27, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Red WIngs 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman didn’t announce the decision “quickly,” but on Tuesday he finally revealed his decision on the future of coach Jeff Blashill.

Well, you waited this long …

Patience.

OK, ready?

Are you ready for this?

OK … OK …

Red Wings Finally Announce Decision

Seriously, after waiting eight days for the decision Yzerman promised weeks ago would be made “quickly” after the season ended, he finally announced his decision Tuesday.

And some fans may not agree with it.

Some will understand and praise it.

So here it is. Over a week after most Detroit media outlets reported May 9 the decision would come as soon as May 10.

Well, this is May 18, if you were not sure, and Yzerman finally made his decision.

Are you ready to read it?

Are you tired of waiting?

All right, all right, all right.

Yzerman decided to …

(Drum roll, please)

… extend Blashill’s contract for at least another season.

Big Deal

Terms of the deal were not announced, but finally, after all this time, it’s confirmed Blashill will return for a seventh season as Red Wings coach.

Blashill’s work with the organization’s prospects and the “good soldier” mentality he has displayed the past five rebuilding campaigns likely played a role in Yzerman awarding Blashill another season behind the bench.

Among the reasons the organization cited for bringing Blashill back, the Red Wings, when comparing the results from the past two seasons, upped their goals-per-game average from 2.00 to 2.25, and their goals-against average dropped from 3.73 to 3.00.

Blashill owns a 172-221-62 record as coach of the Red Wings.

In other coaching news, assistant coach Dan Bylsma will not return and will “pursue other NHL opportunities,” according to a press release.

Well, finally, Yzerman announced his decision on Blashill’s future.

Was it worth the wait?

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