Jeremy Laura: Red Wings lose 14th in past 16 to Penguins, zombies on ice?

one of the positives for when this tank era is over? coach dummy will be gone too.

one of the positives for when this tank era is over? coach dummy will be gone too.
- wingz4life

I sure hope so. This has been the most painful season of Red Wings hockey for me. I've been watching the Red Wings since 1982. But Jeff Blashill makes me 🤮. I'm so sick of hearing his canned cliches and rehearsed catch phrases. Throwing his players under the bus after each game. Has anyone ever heard him say "I need to be better?" Nope. He knows it all. Just ask him. He can take his Tony Robbins tapes and shove them sideways where the sun don't shine! Guy doesn't have an original bone in his body. Doppelganger Babcock.

I sure hope so. This has been the most painful season of Red Wings hockey for me. I've been watching the Red Wings since 1982. But Jeff Blashill makes me 🤮. I'm so sick of hearing his canned cliches and rehearsed catch phrases. Throwing his players under the bus after each game. Has anyone ever heard him say "I need to be better?" Nope. He knows it all. Just ask him.
- gergeswillems

hes just a place holder for now in this era of suckage. hope you are strapped in, its going to be like this for another couple seasons..

hes just a place holder for now in this era of suckage. hope you are strapped in, its going to be like this for another couple seasons..
- wingz4life

If Blashill is fired I'll be happy. I know we'll suck for a few more seasons. But I can't take another season of Doppelganger Babs.

If Blashill is fired I'll be happy. I know we'll suck for a few more seasons. But I can't take another season of Doppelganger Babs.
- gergeswillems

it could be longer i mean i hope this doesnt turn into a nightmare buffalo situation.
yzerman has a lot of work to do.

it could be longer i mean i hope this doesnt turn into a nightmare buffalo situation.
yzerman has a lot of work to do.
- wingz4life

It'll depend if Yzerman hits on his draft picks. A good trade or 2 could help speed the rebuild. We know he can do it. That Tampa team is still more or less the team he built. Stay out of free agency until we're relevant.

It'll depend if Yzerman hits on his draft picks. A good trade or 2 could help speed the rebuild. We know he can do it. That Tampa team is still more or less the team he built. Stay out of free agency until we're relevant.
- gergeswillems

he had a wayyyy better foundation in tampy when he started. he had a superstar center and defenseman already in place. doesnt have that here..

he had a wayyyy better foundation in tampy when he started. he had a superstar center and defenseman already in place. doesnt have that here..
- wingz4life

That's true. Stamkos and Hedman. I still believe Yzerman can get it done.

That's true. Stamkos and Hedman. I still believe Yzerman can get it done.
- gergeswillems

I do as well. Part of Buffalo’s issue seems to be poor asset management. The famous trade for Evander Kane didn’t pan out 100%. O’Reilly is a fantastic player but didn’t help the franchise and the return from STL was a bit off.

It will be rough but I really believe Yzerman respects the process. He turned Kyle Quincey into Vasilevskiy at Holland’s expense. Seems to understand value. I doubt he would have done the Coleman deal. NJD made out like bandits

I sure hope so. This has been the most painful season of Red Wings hockey for me. I've been watching the Red Wings since 1982. But Jeff Blashill makes me 🤮. I'm so sick of hearing his canned cliches and rehearsed catch phrases. Throwing his players under the bus after each game. Has anyone ever heard him say "I need to be better?" Nope. He knows it all. Just ask him. He can take his Tony Robbins tapes and shove them sideways where the sun don't shine! Guy doesn't have an original bone in his body. Doppelganger Babcock.
- gergeswillems

This is a nasty turn. It’s a bit late in the season to stick to “process” talk. At this point have guys hitting smelling salts between shifts. Get some jump going. Maybe switch to blue Gatorade? Purple?

I do as well. Part of Buffalo’s issue seems to be poor asset management. The famous trade for Evander Kane didn’t pan out 100%. O’Reilly is a fantastic player but didn’t help the franchise and the return from STL was a bit off.

It will be rough but I really believe Yzerman respects the process. He turned Kyle Quincey into Vasilevskiy at Holland’s expense. Seems to understand value. I doubt he would have done the Coleman deal. NJD made out like bandits
- Jeremy Laura

Sabres tried to fast track their rebuild and it blew up in their face. They're now paying for it. Yzerman will build slowly and properly. He won't fast track anything. It's hard right now.

But we'll see some progression this off season. A few entitled vet's contracts expire. Maybe Yzerman pulls off another trade or 2. He's had his year to evaluate. I expect him to start wheeling and dealing now. Hopefully beginning at the trade deadline. Hopefully he can sell some junk at the yard sale.

This is a nasty turn. It’s a bit late in the season to stick to “process” talk. At this point have guys hitting smelling salts between shifts. Get some jump going. Maybe switch to blue Gatorade? Purple?
- Jeremy Laura

I mean he was basically saying the Red Wings deserved to win despite losing 5-1. Having a hard practice before playing back to back games really paid off. Worst head coach in Red Wings history.

I mean he was basically saying the Red Wings deserved to win despite losing 5-1. Having a hard practice before playing back to back games really paid off. Worst head coach in Red Wings history.
- gergeswillems

As much of a pain as Babs could be, he’d at least call out a bad loss. “What didn’t you like about the game?” “Puck went in the net. That can’t happen”.

It may sound obnoxious but it’s at least honest

Sabres tried to fast track their rebuild and it blew up in their face. They're now paying for it. Yzerman will build slowly and properly. He won't fast track anything. It's hard right now.

But we'll see some progression this off season. A few entitled vet's contracts expire. Maybe Yzerman pulls off another trade or 2. He's had his year to evaluate. I expect him to start wheeling and dealing now. Hopefully beginning at the trade deadline. Hopefully he can sell some junk at the yard sale.
- gergeswillems

I still can’t believe none of the free agents have been addressed. 20 contracts coming up. Yzerman will be super busy re signing and replacing

if healthy Mike Green could net a return of Julius Honka...

Eat a bad contract like Backes and pick up an additional top 50 pick in the draft... although that would likely happen on the draft floor, unless of course a team desperately needed the cap space ahead of the deadline

if healthy Mike Green could net a return of Julius Honka...
- Udogs

Honka is an interesting case. I’m sure Yzerman has at least kicked the tires

Great writing as always keep it up Jer. I was wondering I saw a comment somewhere in regards to the draft because Ottawa owns their first pick as well as San Jose's do you think whoever gets 1st overall would trade down for say 2nd and 5th (I think that's where those picks about line up) thoughts? Could help a rebuild say Byfield and someone else over Lafreniere.

Eat a bad contract like Backes and pick up an additional top 50 pick in the draft... although that would likely happen on the draft floor, unless of course a team desperately needed the cap space ahead of the deadline
- Udogs

I'm open to that. Backes only has a year left on his contract. Sens will be all over that one IMO.

Taking Zadina over hughes was such a huge error on Hollands part. Zadina may end up being a very good player but Quinn is a top offensive puck moving dman. Big miss

Great writing as always keep it up Jer. I was wondering I saw a comment somewhere in regards to the draft because Ottawa owns their first pick as well as San Jose's do you think whoever gets 1st overall would trade down for say 2nd and 5th (I think that's where those picks about line up) thoughts? Could help a rebuild say Byfield and someone else over Lafreniere.
- Justarm216

Absolutely. At this point, if that deal can be made I’d be excited to add as much as possible. Yzerman has scouted these kids well and could easily have some great plans on what to do after #1. If he can get two high picks that could be a fantastic option.

Very well put, thanks for that!

I'm open to that. Backes only has a year left on his contract. Sens will be all over that one IMO.
- gergeswillems

I can agree. We have contracts expiring, etc. Backes could help someone like Ras, Svech or even Veleno. You need pros to help kids transition, and why not? If the price is right, ding ding

Taking Zadina over hughes was such a huge error on Hollands part. Zadina may end up being a very good player but Quinn is a top offensive puck moving dman. Big miss
- Jkuzzi

It’s tough to look back and see the defensemen that were passed up, however, at 20 Zadina has an incredible shot already. So, while you can’t go back, thankfully it’s not a total loss.

Hughes is special. I’d originally wanted Bouchard but the skating ability of QH is very impressive. We have something special in Seider, McIsaac, Hronek (thankfully). Lindstrom is rounding out into a good physical presence. The speedy, scoring D is still elusive at this point. I appreciate where you’re coming from, completely

Taking Zadina over hughes was such a huge error on Hollands part. Zadina may end up being a very good player but Quinn is a top offensive puck moving dman. Big miss
- Jkuzzi

Agreed. And I like Zadina.