Over the past six seasons, the Red Wings rank 31st in the NHL on the power play (15.8%) and on the penalty kill (77.0%). Detroit is 32nd in the NHL on the PK (73.7%). However, that unit has completely bottomed out this season. In was 16th in 2016-17 and 22nd last season. The penalty kill has shown occasional signs of life. Throughout the entirety of Blashill’s reign, special teams performance has proven to be an issue in need of solving.ĭuring the six straight seasons of playoff absences, the Red Wings finished above 20th in the NHL on the power play just once, a 19th-place showing in 2018-19. Red Wings Special Teams Aren’t Very Special The Red Wings are 24th in the NHL in goals scored (222) and 26th in goals for per game (2.74). In 38 of 81 games this season, the Red Wings finished up scoring two or fewer goals. The double-edged sword with Detroit’s lack of defense is that the offense isn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard, either. At the end of the season, coach Jacques Demers was fired. Its only the fifth time in franchise history and the first time since 1989-90 (323 goals against) that the Red Wings are surrendering more than 300 goals.ĭetroit ended up missing the playoffs in 1989-90. With 309 goals against, or 3.79 goals against per game, only the Montreal Canadiens (317, 3.89) have proven to be more porous than Detroit. “Certainly, our chances against were too high throughout the season, probably even when we won,” Blashill acknowledged. Defense is about technique, commitment and positional play. In other words, the Wings were needing to score six or more goals to win in four out of every 10 games they’ve played this season. That’s 39.5 percent of all of their games.
They’ve given up five or more goals in 32 of 81 games. The abysmal defensive woes of the Red Wings are well documented. Here’s five reasons why he should replace coach Jeff Blashill.
Wings GM Steve Yzerman must certainly be thinking about it. “I’m coaching a game tomorrow and that’s all that’s been my focus.” I haven’t thought about it for one second to be honest with you,” Blashill said. It’s time for a change behind the bench.įor his part, Blashill claims he isn’t even considering his future. The decline and fall of the Red Wings over the past three months leaves only one obvious conclusion. As for the business of winning, business is not good. This season, his Red Wings have not proven very relentless. It’s often also pointed out that they are in the business of winning. “They didn’t keep me around because they liked me,” he finally said.īlashill likes to talk about the relentlessness of the NHL. Phillips looked at his inquistor increduously. Years ago, while covering the Detroit Tigers, another reporter pointed out to Tony Phillips, newly-signed from the AL champion Oakland A’s, that his production numbers were quite impressive. Once the Red Wings take the ice, none of that matters. Likewise, Danny DeKeyser is a salt of the earth type, as decent as the day is long. If he is ready, he could end up playing with Suter and Rasmussen.Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill is a good guy.
It’s unknown whether he will be ready for training camp. Third line: Pius Suter, Michael Rasmussen and Dominik Kubalikįourth line: Filip Zadina, Oskar Sundqvist and Adam Erne Second line: Jakub Vrana, Andrew Copp and Tyler Bertuzzi But here’s one projection of what the Red Wings’ lineup could look like: Forwardsįirst Line: Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin and David Perron With a new coach in place, the Red Wings could be looking at different line combinations than we saw last season. We could see more players coming and going. He has $10,296,000 million in cap space remaining. Yzerman has explored trade options during this offseason. The Red Wings are as excited about him as they were about Moritz Seider.īut GM Steve Yzerman also may not be done making changes. It doesn’t include rookie Simon Edvinsson who should make the team.
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That includes Steven Kampfer, who might move up and down from Grand Rapids this season, plus restricted free agent Jake Walman. After the Red Wings signed 30-year-old veteran Mark Pysyk today, Lalonde has nine defensemen. However, it doesn’t include the rookies or Joe Veleno who is waiver exempt. That does include injured Robbie Fabbri and restricted free agent Filip Zadina. New coach Derek Lalonde is looking at roster that already has 14 forwards. But it also makes it more challenging for rookies Elmer Soderblom, Jonatan Berggren or Albert Johansson to make the team coming out of training camp this season.Įven Joe Veleno will be fighting for a job. The Detroit Red Wings’ signing of five free agents on Wednesday and another today should improve the lineup.