Jeremy Laura: Steve Yzerman Press Conference, Plus Seider wins defenseman of the year

2 years deal for Blashfail, per rumors.
Might as well take a break from them at this point.
8 years of Blashill is inhumane and cruel punishment!

2 years deal for Blashfail, per rumors.
Might as well take a break from them at this point.
8 years of Blashill is inhumane and cruel punishment!
- StargateSG1

He can be let go for a "better" coach, if Stevie deems it necessary, I don't think Stevie gave him a NMC. Not everyone stays till the end of their contracts, especially NHL coaches.

Progress! From worst to 5th worst. Let's hope the Wings jump 8+ spots next year!

Progress! From worst to 5th worst. Let's hope the Wings jump 8+ spots next year!
- HenryHockey

They can easily regress back to bottom 2-3 next season with playing the entire league.

They can easily regress back to bottom 2-3 next season with playing the entire league.
- StargateSG1

Not in Stevie's DNA to regress, and he chose Blash, so it will be OK....

Not in Stevie's DNA to regress, and he chose Blash, so it will be OK....

- HenryHockey

He is smart enough to know he needs Shane Wright to win.
That's why he "Chose" Blashill

Pertruellzi is also debating school vs going pro. If he goes back to school the Wings retain his rights for another year.

I really like how Stevie Y is rebuilding your guys’s roster. Complete tear down is how it should be done. I think the Wings in 2-3 years are going to be a force.

He is smart enough to know he needs Shane Wright to win.
That's why he "Chose" Blashill
- StargateSG1

Lets see Yzerman

-one of the best players of all time
-think he won a cup or so and knows what it takes to do it
-played under one of the best coaches of all time
-as GM built a Stanley Cup winning team while sticking with a coach the masses were yelling to fire.
-watched Blashill coach first hand

If Yzerman feels Blashill is a good coach and he’ll help improve our team, then i sure as hell trust his judgement. Hes way more qualified to know then I am.

I really like how Stevie Y is rebuilding your guys’s roster. Complete tear down is how it should be done. I think the Wings in 2-3 years are going to be a force.
- TheUltimateJet

He has not wasted any time at all. After this season he’ll have moved on from nearly 20 players after two seasons. He’s a man on a mission!

I think his guy is most likely not available yet. I noticed Jon Cooper is nearing the end of his contract.

Best Swede Available, Jeremy!

Edit: Reference to the Wallstedt pick discussion from the last blog. You're so prolific with the posts that I'm one behind.

Pertruellzi is also debating school vs going pro. If he goes back to school the Wings retain his rights for another year.
- DRW1991

Did this season not count against his NCAA eligibility?

Did this season not count against his NCAA eligibility?
- Feds91Stammer

So my basic understanding, which could be wrong, is that:

- The NCAA granted 2020 spring, 2020 fall, and 2021 winter athletes an extra year of eligibility (i.e., the current season "does not count"), so Petruzelli in theory could play a fifth season.

- In order to become a free agent, Petruzelli needs to either (1) graduate, or (2) declare to the NHL Central Registry that he's no longer a student. If he does neither and plays a fifth year of college, Detroit would retain his rights for another year.

This is all news to me after doing some digging this morning. If anyone has any addition sources to either back up or refute the above, I'd love to see them.

So my basic understanding, which could be wrong, is that:

- The NCAA granted 2020 spring, 2021 fall, and 2021 winter athletes an extra year of eligibility (i.e., the current season "does not count"), so Petruzelli in theory could play a fifth season.

- In order to become a free agent, Petruzelli needs to either (1) graduate, or (2) declare to the NHL Central Registry that he's no longer a student. If he does neither and plays a fifth year of college, Detroit would retain his rights for another year.

This is all news to me after doing some digging this morning. If anyone has any addition sources to either back up or refute the above, I'd love to see them.
- Sven22

It may be beneficial to him to stay in school and maybe be a top 3 for the Hobey Baker next year. Having a great NCAA year may prove disaster to his signing with the Wings,as he would have competitive offers from others if he becomes a FA in August.

He is smart enough to know he needs Shane Wright to win.
That's why he "Chose" Blashill
- StargateSG1

I'm kind of with you on this. In the presser yesterday Yzerman did not sound like he felt the team is close to turning the corner. If he likes the development of Ras/Zadina etc and also wants a very high draft pick next year, Blashill seems like the perfect choice.

yzerman realizes the team needs to be in the shane wright and connor bedard sweeps coming up. thats why blashill is back..

Did this season not count against his NCAA eligibility?
- Feds91Stammer

I’m trying to check on this. His draft “clock” for signing is still showing an august expiration date until he’s a free agent. It would take a change on that which would have to be approved by the NHL (possibly the PA too). At this point, Ken Kal and others on the media side are still saying his rights are expiring this year.

I'm kind of with you on this. In the presser yesterday Yzerman did not sound like he felt the team is close to turning the corner. If he likes the development of Ras/Zadina etc and also wants a very high draft pick next year, Blashill seems like the perfect choice.
- JohnnySoze

He is really measured with expectations. He put the onus on getting more talent and not coaching. Very candid/straight shooter about where the program is. Good call

So my basic understanding, which could be wrong, is that:

- The NCAA granted 2020 spring, 2020 fall, and 2021 winter athletes an extra year of eligibility (i.e., the current season "does not count"), so Petruzelli in theory could play a fifth season.

- In order to become a free agent, Petruzelli needs to either (1) graduate, or (2) declare to the NHL Central Registry that he's no longer a student. If he does neither and plays a fifth year of college, Detroit would retain his rights for another year.

This is all news to me after doing some digging this morning. If anyone has any addition sources to either back up or refute the above, I'd love to see them.
- Sven22

Okay yeah I knew they did that for football but wasn’t sure about other sports.

The graduate thing is weird. Does that mean finish school? Or does completing undergrad but working on a masters not constitute graduating?

Definitely weird.

He is really measured with expectations. He put the onus on getting more talent and not coaching. Very candid/straight shooter about where the program is. Good call
- Jeremy Laura

He knows it takes time especially for D. He saw first hand how Hedman went from “bust” to widely considered the best D in the league.

Since some of you are apparently still upset about Blashill I have a question for you. In an 82 game season how many more points do you really think your ideal coaching hire gets over Blashill?

Hey Jeremy! Sorry I've been away for a while, work's picking up now that COVID's not as big of an issue. Wondering if the corner being turned will result in fans in the stands come October??? If so, I may make the trek from SC to MI to catch a game or 12!!!

So, another year +/- for Blash, but Bylsma's out. Interesting. In the grand scheme of things, I guess we could do worse, but I remain stead-fast in the belief that in order for Detroit to contend, a change in coaching is desperately needed. Now, that being said, the team did improve, so I reckon we're in a "wait & see" phase for now. As has been stated previously, there's no NMC in a coach's contract.

I say take a goalie in the 1st round. Screw the odds/stats; they can be used to enhance the user's position. Something needs to be done. Not sure of Bernie's status for next year, but if Petro goes back to college/Jr's, we're hurting. The kid's really good, so I'm hoping something's being done to convince him to go to GR this year and begin his professionalization. We need him....and a few solid D-men, a good C, couple of wingers, a coaching staff blah blah blah. I said we should've taken Askarov in the 1st before we got Raymond, I still say we should have. I got the data, but I also feel that needing to plug holes can't be left to the odds of trading/UFA. Truth be told, you can't rely on ANYTHING via the draft, so that argument is moot, in my mind.

Buy out Frans. Full Stop. Let Helm, Gagner, & Djoos go (isn't he going to Europe??). Glennie should be resigned, his FO acumen is invaluable and he can/is helping others learn his form. That guy's the character guy we need. 2 yrs, $1.75m, he deserves it. Sign Vrana. SIGN RYAN. Vladdy Nam needs to stay, that guy....yeah. Guts, grit, grind. Another very reliable player. Bring back Merrill! He was a very Solid D-Man. I'm NOT a Staal fan, at all. I say let him go, give a kid a shot (Is there anyone who thinks that by Thanksgiving Mo Sides isn't going to be with the big club??? Seriously???). Ras was a HUGE leap forward as we Svech (I know, I know...I said trade him all season long, wouldn't be upset if he was moved), SMITH is a BEAST; sign him, sign him, sign him (get the point?!?!?!?!). Cholo actually looked pretty decent towards the end of the season, so I think he's on the big club. McIssac may get a legit shot in camp as will Gus LINDstrom. Listen, we are really looking good (I feel like I'm in the hockey version of Major League - "these guys ain't too frankin' bad...").

I don't see Detroit having ball-luck in the draft, despite all the crap folks have said about Bettman's balls, so I think somewhere around 8, which to me leads to Owen Bartoszkiewicz; check the kid out, definitely has some chops (good write-up in SI about him as well). We still have Fulcher, Larsson, and Bratstrom developing but this kid is very intriguing. Walstead's impressive as well, wouldn't say NO to him....

So there it is. Sign me up for the Prognostication Award (believe it's a trip to Bermuda on Jeremy's dime - least that's what I heard) because I'm right on everything Seriously. I am.

Interested to see who's going to be signed to help Blash coach & fill Bylsma's shoes. That'll have an impact on how things go next year. But, all things considered, I think we're really in good shape. The turn-over on this team has been impressive, and there's more to come. I feel good about the path we're on, despite trading Mantha (who really fits in well in DC, guys. Good for him!!). I do have faith, and am duly impressed by Vrana, despite what I said when the trade was announced - I. Was. Wrong. You're welcome. I like him, but miss Mantha's size.....but we do have Smith (dude, I LOVE that guy - stud, drive, professional, yeah.)

Chomping at the bit to see who leaves in the 'spansion draft (NIELSEN?? Helm? Staal - any of these would be acceptable), and what the draft holds.

My daughter's going to AZ for the North American National Irish Dance competition in July, but I'll have my phone tuned in to your blog until October....by that time, I'm sure we'll all be in the mental health ward because of all the hockey moves over the summer.

Keep up the fire, my friend. Love the blog, love the respect, love the banter, love what you do for us. Seriously, you've been SUCH a boon for those of us who need an escape

He knows it takes time especially for D. He saw first hand how Hedman went from “bust” to widely considered the best D in the league.
- Feds91Stammer

Hedman looks almost perfect some nights. What a beast. Yep, Yzerman built a powerhouse