By Jordan Long
The Detroit Red Wings ended the year at 19-27-10 for 48 points, 2nd to last in the Central Division. Only the Columbus Blue Jackets were worse. They had the same amount of points as the Red Wings but Detroit had 17 wins in regulation while the Jackets had 15. It was the 5th straight season the Red Wings have missed the postseason. Even though it was a poor season, Detroit extended Head Coach Jeff Blashill. The financial terms of the deal weren’t announced.
Blashill has been the Red Wings coach for the past 6 years. The only year the Red Wings made the postseason was in 2016, his first season as Head Coach. They lost in the 1st round to the Tampa Bay Lightning. After that, it has been all downhill. The Red Wings are a disappointing 172-221-62 under Blashill, a winning percentage of .446.
This season the Red Wings knew it was going to be a tough year. They are rebuilding to make this team a playoff contender for years to come. Unfortunately, it was a poor season. The Red Wings offense couldn’t generate scoring chances. They scored 2.23 goals per game, 2nd to last in the NHL. The only team worse than them was the Anaheim Ducks at 2.21 goals per game. The power play was just as poor. Any time the Red Wings skated the puck into the offensive zone, it was taken away or shots were blocked. They scored on 11.4% on the man advantage, 30th in the NHL.
On defense, Detroit permitted the opponents to dictate the pace of play. They gave up 3.00 goals per game 20th in the NHL. On the power play kill, Detroit killed off 78.7% of the penalties they took, 22nd in the NHL.
According to ESPN.com, General Manager Steve Yzerman said, “It’s important to have a coach that has a calmness and a willingness and patience to have these younger players go through the growing pains of playing in the NHL”
This was a surprise to keep Blashill. The Red Wings have fallen on tough times and most franchises would blame the Head Coach. His body of work shows he is not deserving of a contract extension. The Red Wings could have fired him and gone after a few experienced Head Coaches who are unemployed. These could have included Gerard Gallant, Bruce Boudreau, and John Tortorella. These coaches may have helped the Red Wings more.
In the end, General Manager Steve Yzerman kept Blashill. This is a franchise that is trying to win again. They haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 2008. The Red Wings want Blashill to be part of it. It could take some time. Detroit may be looking for a new Head Coach if Blashill can’t turn this around in a year or two. Letting him go right now may have signaled that the Red Wings are panicking. For right now, they are keeping Blashill in hopes he can handle rebuilding this team to become a consistent playoff contender. Blashill is lucky to maintain his job.
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