For a moment on Duchene. His last season in COL was kicked off with his “frowning” picture session. When he left, MacKinnon made some not subtle comments about “guys wanting to be here”, and the team really came together. It may not be the only issue, but it was a significant one. As for Blashill, I feel like everything is “in flux”. Most coaches put their “stamp” down. I can’t see that definitive mark. Yes, the roster is lacking, but i just don’t feel any “flow” to this team
- Jeremy Laura

Well Duchene had asked for a trade the previous season so it was clear he wasn't happy there anymore.

It doesn't feel like the team responds to Blashill at all. So many times he kept saying things like "we have to start on time" and the team would come out flat the next game rinse and repeat. Wings have no play style or identity under him. Some of it is roster related but they still could have an identity even with talent lacking. I was hoping he would be gone before next season so they could hire someone like Laviolette or Gallant. Might still happen shortly into next season (if there is even one) but at the point the best coaches might not be available anymore.

Well Duchene had asked for a trade the previous season so it was clear he wasn't happy there anymore.

It doesn't feel like the team responds to Blashill at all. So many times he kept saying things like "we have to start on time" and the team would come out flat the next game rinse and repeat. Wings have no play style or identity under him. Some of it is roster related but they still could have an identity even with talent lacking. I was hoping he would be gone before next season so they could hire someone like Laviolette or Gallant. Might still happen shortly into next season (if there is even one) but at the point the best coaches might not be available anymore.
- dcz28

Why would a veteran Head coach want to coach this team? I hoped for Gallant as well. But it would be career suicide to coach this team right now. I can't stand Blashill but he's a Yes Man. That's how he survives. He did it with Holland and he's doing the same thing with Yzerman. Stevie seems to like Blashill because he keeps saying how great of a job he's doing. 🤮

Why would a veteran Head coach want to coach this team? I hoped for Gallant as well. But it would be career suicide to coach this team right now. I can't stand Blashill but he's a Yes Man. That's how he survives. He did it with Holland and he's doing the same thing with Yzerman. Stevie seems to like Blashill because he keeps saying how great of a job he's doing. 🤮
- gergeswillems

Well Gallant accepted to be the first coach of an expansion team which in the past have been awful. He has ties to the Wings and to Yzerman and has been dumped pretty badly by his last 2 teams. He might have a bit more rope with the Wings considering the rebuild and i assume would have a better relationship with Yzerman who he knows well compared to his former GMs.

Unless Yzerman plans to tank again, he needs to give this team a coach that can give this team an identity and a purpose...i don't believe Blashill can do that since he hasn't done it since he came in.

Well Gallant accepted to be the first coach of an expansion team which in the past have been awful. He has ties to the Wings and to Yzerman and has been dumped pretty badly by his last 2 teams. He might have a bit more rope with the Wings considering the rebuild and i assume would have a better relationship with Yzerman who he knows well compared to his former GMs.

Unless Yzerman plans to tank again, he needs to give this team a coach that can give this team an identity and a purpose...i don't believe Blashill can do that since he hasn't done it since he came in.
- dcz28

I think Blashill is a detriment to this team. The whole "he doesn't have any talent" excuse is getting old. I always say a good head coach can make a bad team competitive. A competitive team good. A good team great.

In his 5 years here Jeff Blashill has done nothing positive except make goofy faces, make excuses, point the finger and throw his players under the bus using stupid cliches and rehearsed catch phrases. This team really needs a good head coach. I just don't know who's going to want to come here.

I think Blashill is a detriment to this team. The whole "he doesn't have any talent" excuse is getting old. I always say a good head coach can make a bad team competitive. A competitive team good. A good team great.

In his 5 years here Jeff Blashill has done nothing positive except make goofy faces, make excuses, point the finger and throw his players under the bus using stupid cliches and rehearsed catch phrases. This team really needs a good head coach. I just don't know who's going to want to come here.
- gergeswillems

I agree. It's one thing to be a bottom feeder because the roster lacks talent but to lose almost every game 4-1, 5-1, 6-2 and poop like that is something else. Barry Trotz lacked talent in Nashville but he still kept the team competitive for years. Wings likely would still be a lottery team with a good coach but at least they would have a chance to make things close most of the time.

I agree. It's one thing to be a bottom feeder because the roster lacks talent but to lose almost every game 4-1, 5-1, 6-2 and poop like that is something else. Barry Trotz lacked talent in Nashville but he still kept the team competitive for years. Wings likely would still be a lottery team with a good coach but at least they would have a chance to make things close most of the time.
- dcz28

I mean the Wings aren't a playoff team no matter who is coaching them. The lack of talent is real. I just hate hearing it being used as a crutch all the time. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. "We can't win because we suck." Cop out.

But I always hear Blashill say "It's a parity driven league. There's not much separating teams." Ok. So there's no powerhouses anymore. We'll never have to play the '77 Habs, '85 Oilers or the '92 Pens. The Salary Cap drives parity, right?

So why should it be so impossible to at least compete each game? Why are we getting blown out so much? By mediocre teams? I truly believe Jeff Blashill is a handicap behind the bench and I don't understand how Yzerman doesn't recognize it.

Blashill keeps being re-signed! Why are we rewarding failure?!?! 🤮

I agree. It's one thing to be a bottom feeder because the roster lacks talent but to lose almost every game 4-1, 5-1, 6-2 and poop like that is something else. Barry Trotz lacked talent in Nashville but he still kept the team competitive for years. Wings likely would still be a lottery team with a good coach but at least they would have a chance to make things close most of the time.
- dcz28

This. Trotz puts his stamp on the team. Vigneault and Torts too. Even if you don’t “like” a system, it’s obvious when there is buy-in. Players need that structure to win. If Detroit had any type of consistent in game effort you’d feel like something was being built.

I mean the Wings aren't a playoff team no matter who is coaching them. The lack of talent is real. I just hate hearing it being used as a crutch all the time. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. "We can't win because we suck." Cop out.

But I always hear Blashill say "It's a parity driven league. There's not much separating teams." Ok. So there's no powerhouses anymore. We'll never have to play the '77 Habs, '85 Oilers or the '92 Pens. The Salary Cap drives parity, right?

So why should it be so impossible to at least compete each game? Why are we getting blown out so much? By mediocre teams? I truly believe Jeff Blashill is a handicap behind the bench and I don't understand how Yzerman doesn't recognize it.

Blashill keeps being re-signed! Why are we rewarding failure?!?! 🤮
- gergeswillems

And here’s where I’ll add to what you’re saying. When you’re letting in 4 goals per game, it’s not good. Clearly we can’t outscore those issues. I don’t know how many turnovers in front of the net went in, but it felt like a lot. Horrible decision making. Yes, the goalie has to step up at some point. But worst goals against and worst goals for belie the “parity” issue fairly soundly. It was never really close

Well Gallant accepted to be the first coach of an expansion team which in the past have been awful. He has ties to the Wings and to Yzerman and has been dumped pretty badly by his last 2 teams. He might have a bit more rope with the Wings considering the rebuild and i assume would have a better relationship with Yzerman who he knows well compared to his former GMs.

Unless Yzerman plans to tank again, he needs to give this team a coach that can give this team an identity and a purpose...i don't believe Blashill can do that since he hasn't done it since he came in.
- dcz28

Yes, but just maybe Gallant really liked the city of Las Vegas! A lot of people do. besides I would think Detroit is a place where he has a lot of fond memories and would be very attractive for him.

Yes, but just maybe Gallant really liked the city of Las Vegas! A lot of people do. besides I would think Detroit is a place where he has a lot of fond memories and would be very attractive for him.
- HenryHockey

I think a big part of Vegas was an ability to help construct. Coaches and GMs have to be on the same page. If Yzerman’s vision lines up with Gallant (or someone else) I’d imagine they’d have a lot of input on personnel.

Perfect Scenario, Tampa loses and lets Copper go, then Detroit hires Copper.

Dallas in 6.

Perfect Scenario, Tampa loses and lets Copper go, then Detroit hires Copper.

Dallas in 6.
- Tee56

Interesting. Thanks for laying that out!

Holland likely thought AA's speed would mesh perfectly playing with McDavid and Draisaitl. Or with Nuge. But as we all know AA must have the puck to be effective. In Edmonton, McDavid and Draisaitl have the puck. AA's not a confident player without the puck.

It's like he doesn't know where to go or what to do. He's all speed and not much else. He has good hands and can score goals. His defense is horrible. For every goal he creates, he's giving up 2 or 3. It's not entirely his fault. He played on a very bad Red Wings team.

But he has to own his own horrible and inconsistent play. I don't know which team will take a chance on him but some team certainly will. They'll believe they can fix his defensive shortcomings but that rarely happens at his age.

A leopard rarely changes its spots. I recall being disappointed in Yzerman not getting a 1st round pick back when the trade happened. But it's clear now that Yzerman knew exactly what he was doing. Selling high on Athanasiou. Two seconds is a pretty good return.
- gergeswillems

I think you summed it up, A A is a North and South skater. It would be nice if someone could build him into a Cal Clutterbuck.

Perfect Scenario, Tampa loses and lets Copper go, then Detroit hires Copper.

Dallas in 6.
- Tee56

(frank) cooper. He blows. Arrogant (frank) that can’t make adjustments. Routinely outcoached.

This is essentially the same situation as Burakovsky last year. He had a down season and Washington couldn't afford to qualify him. Everyone assumed that teams would just wait for him to become a UFA and bid for him on the free market. Instead, Sakic gave up a 2nd and a 3rd for him and signed him to his QO. In hindsight, that trade and cap hit look like a steal.

This year is a bit different with COVID, the flat cap, and teams trying to save money. After seeing Burakovsky do well, another team might take a chance on him. We'll find out in a couple weeks

This is essentially the same situation as Burakovsky last year. He had a down season and Washington couldn't afford to qualify him. Everyone assumed that teams would just wait for him to become a UFA and bid for him on the free market. Instead, Sakic gave up a 2nd and a 3rd for him and signed him to his QO. In hindsight, that trade and cap hit look like a steal.

This year is a bit different with COVID, the flat cap, and teams trying to save money. After seeing Burakovsky do well, another team might take a chance on him. We'll find out in a couple weeks
- tkecanuck341

Absolutely. I think Trotz could do a lot for AA. He’s got some important tools. Could be a good pickup in the right situation. I love the Burakovsky comp. thanks for that!

There are plenty of teams that could and would pay AA his QO, so he surely wont have to take less. Even if he is not qualified by Edmonton he'll get a minimum of $3M next year, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a team like LA pay him 4M.

This is essentially the same situation as Burakovsky last year. He had a down season and Washington couldn't afford to qualify him. Everyone assumed that teams would just wait for him to become a UFA and bid for him on the free market. Instead, Sakic gave up a 2nd and a 3rd for him and signed him to his QO. In hindsight, that trade and cap hit look like a steal.

This year is a bit different with COVID, the flat cap, and teams trying to save money. After seeing Burakovsky do well, another team might take a chance on him. We'll find out in a couple weeks
- tkecanuck341

Don't forget his trade request. That was motivator for the Caps.

Don't forget his trade request. That was motivator for the Caps.
- Capsnut

I actually didn’t know that. I thought he had a good playoff run when they got the cup, but needed better mins regular season. Loved the Caps cup team

There are plenty of teams that could and would pay AA his QO, so he surely wont have to take less. Even if he is not qualified by Edmonton he'll get a minimum of $3M next year, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a team like LA pay him 4M.
- Udogs

That’s very possible. Let’s see how it shakes out. I really like the player, just needs the right fit.

Perfect Scenario, Tampa loses and lets Copper go, then Detroit hires Copper.

Dallas in 6.
- Tee56

Why in the world would you ever want Cooper who can't even with with Tampa's roster this far?
Jeez, some people.

Quick note - Filip Zadina sustained and upper body injury and will be out for a few weeks. Not expected to affect his NHL appearance when the season commences. That beginning is still in flux, possibly January (again). Any Red Wings who aren’t overseas (only 5 or so are) will have been outside of competition for 10 months if that is the case.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...-islanders-lundqvist.html

I actually didn’t know that. I thought he had a good playoff run when they got the cup, but needed better mins regular season. Loved the Caps cup team
- Jeremy Laura

He felt the same apparently. He scored a couple of big goals in one playoff game but really didn't do much otherwise. He's very gifted but he lacks grit and other aspects of the game.

He felt the same apparently. He scored a couple of big goals in one playoff game but really didn't do much otherwise. He's very gifted but he lacks grit and other aspects of the game.
- Capsnut

It’s a shame, because he does have a really good skill set. He’s joined a very talented team in COL and they seem to be making strides. Hard to be a center behind Backstrom and Kuznetsov. Both are outstanding

(frank) cooper. He blows. Arrogant (frank) that can’t make adjustments. Routinely outcoached.
- Feds91Stammer

Of course he is, he’s a Lawyer by trade.