Jeremy Laura: The Captain, the coach, and the line that was missed

I watched the presser, and I seen a Stevie that niether endorsed or condemned Blashill and was rather non-committal. Did I miss something? I was doing some other things as well at the time.

I missed the contest to name the new coach. I've been on record that the next coach will be Jon Cooper if he falters in the playoffs and is let go by Tampa. That's the guy Yzerman is waiting for. So until then, Blashill serves as a placeholder. You don't fire him and bring in Gallant or Lambert, when Cooper is your target. If he has a solid playoffs with Tampa and doesn't appear to be coming available, well then Yzerman moves on to plan B. Until then, Blashill is the perfect stooge for a garbage roster.

Cooper hasn't won anything yet, not sure why SY would be so hung up on him.
Keeping Blahshill is good for only one thing, another tank year

I watched the presser, and I seen a Stevie that niether endorsed or condemned Blashill and was rather non-committal. Did I miss something? I was doing some other things as well at the time.
- HenryHockey

It was a “there is no plan to change” type comment. Freep and Mlive both ran with it citing other comments about him staying.

I missed the contest to name the new coach. I've been on record that the next coach will be Jon Cooper if he falters in the playoffs and is let go by Tampa. That's the guy Yzerman is waiting for. So until then, Blashill serves as a placeholder. You don't fire him and bring in Gallant or Lambert, when Cooper is your target. If he has a solid playoffs with Tampa and doesn't appear to be coming available, well then Yzerman moves on to plan B. Until then, Blashill is the perfect stooge for a garbage roster.
- Kooleus

Ok, no worries. There are two other contests right now (both for $25 gift card to shop.nhl.com or little Caesars). Guess where Detroit will draft and who. Good luck!

Cooper hasn't won anything yet, not sure why SY would be so hung up on him.
Keeping Blahshill is good for only one thing, another tank year
- StargateSG1

I think Cooper’s advantage is his analytics. Coming from a legal background, etc, gave him a completely different view of things. I hate to agree on the other comment, but I can’t think of any other way to see it

I think the surprising thing about keeping blashill at this point is that there are so many quality coach’s available which might not be the case next summer.

As far as the lottery goes while I think many will say lafreniere is a sure thing stutzle and byfield are far from guarantees to hit their ceilings. The top 5 has had plenty of busts over the last decade, whoever is drafted 4th could easily wind up better than 2/3.

I’ll be curious to see who Detroit selects if in that spot. As much as I like drysdale I think that if Detroit believes that Seider will be an elite D they may lean towards a forward if they believe Dry and the forwards project the same.

In all likelihood I think Detroit will select 2/3 anyways

I think the surprising thing about keeping blashill at this point is that there are so many quality coach’s available which might not be the case next summer.

As far as the lottery goes while I think many will say lafreniere is a sure thing stutzle and byfield are far from guarantees to hit their ceilings. The top 5 has had plenty of busts over the last decade, whoever is drafted 4th could easily wind up better than 2/3.

I’ll be curious to see who Detroit selects if in that spot. As much as I like drysdale I think that if Detroit believes that Seider will be an elite D they may lean towards a forward if they believe Dry and the forwards project the same.

In all likelihood I think Detroit will select 2/3 anyways
- RedC21

Can you solidify a pick? Will put you in the drawing.

I'll predict Detroit drafts #1 and picks Lafreniere. That should quiet the fanbase whining about the draft rules. Before the season paused, we were poised to finish 31st and have an 18.5% chance to draft #1. This is where we are at today. Nothing changed. So why all the whining.

Will predict that Yzerman signs a UFA d-man. But it won't be a flashy name like Pietrangelo or Krug or Barrie. But just another stop-gap like Nemeth. I'll bet on Oscar Fantenberg. Hakan always liked him.

I'll predict Detroit drafts #1 and picks Lafreniere. That should quiet the fanbase whining about the draft rules. Before the season paused, we were poised to finish 31st and have an 18.5% chance to draft #1. This is where we are at today. Nothing changed. So why all the whining.

Will predict that Yzerman signs a UFA d-man. But it won't be a flashy name like Pietrangelo or Krug or Barrie. But just another stop-gap like Nemeth. I'll bet on Oscar Fantenberg. Hakan always liked him.
- Kooleus

Ok. I’ve got your draft position and pick. It may well be worth adding one more category of free agent signing. Thanks for that suggestion

Can you solidify a pick? Will put you in the drawing.
- Jeremy Laura

Haha just my guess as I’m pretty sure Detroit has a 50% chance selecting top3 but gut feeling says they won’t have number 1. Hope for you guys I’m wrong

Haha just my guess as I’m pretty sure Detroit has a 50% chance selecting top3 but gut feeling says they won’t have number 1. Hope for you guys I’m wrong
- RedC21

You’re good! Still fun to participate. I’ll put you down for #3. Who do you think Detroit would take at 3?

I'll predict Detroit drafts #1 and picks Lafreniere. That should quiet the fanbase whining about the draft rules. Before the season paused, we were poised to finish 31st and have an 18.5% chance to draft #1. This is where we are at today. Nothing changed. So why all the whining.

Will predict that Yzerman signs a UFA d-man. But it won't be a flashy name like Pietrangelo or Krug or Barrie. But just another stop-gap like Nemeth. I'll bet on Oscar Fantenberg. Hakan always liked him.
- Kooleus

While for a moment I’m sure most wings fans had their hopes they’d be at worst 2 but I don’t think the whining is based on Detroit odds as you said they have not changed.

I think what had most whining is the possibility of a team like Pittsburgh that was all but guaranteed a playoff spot, winning the pick if they get knocked out in the first round.

After all it is quite messed up that in the event their is a phase 2 lottery for teams eliminated that if let’s say the pens are upset by the habs, that they and the hawks who were pretty well guaranteed bottom 10 each have a 12.5% chance to win it along with the other 6 teams eliminated.

And that’s if only 1 of the three picks is won by the slots reserved for the 8-16 teams. If all 3 are won by those slots and I’m a team in the play in round and I know I have an even 3 in 8 chance to select top 3, I would honestly throw the round.

You’re good! Still fun to participate. I’ll put you down for #3. Who do you think Detroit would take at 3?
- Jeremy Laura

The remainder of stutzle or byfield. If drysdale or another goes 2 I’ll go stutzle.

I feel he has a higher offensive ceiling that may go underated due to the league he plays in. As well the versatility to play both Center and wing.

If the wings are confident that Larkin is a good enough 1C to win a cup pairing them together could be one of the most dangerous combo’s in the league.

And Stevie Y likes his Europeans, so if he selects him and has faith in the pick so do I.

The remainder of stutzle or byfield. If drysdale or another goes 2 I’ll go stutzle.

I feel he has a higher offensive ceiling that may go underated due to the league he plays in. As well the versatility to play both Center and wing.

If the wings are confident that Larkin is a good enough 1C to win a cup pairing them together could be one of the most dangerous combo’s in the league.

And Stevie Y likes his Europeans, so if he selects him and has faith in the pick so do I.
- RedC21

Europe has shifted a bit. Germany seems to be coming on. Finland is high flying and offensive minded. I love watching the Worlds events to see how they’re progressing. Stevie has done a lot of homework over there for sure

Europe has shifted a bit. Germany seems to be coming on. Finland is high flying and offensive minded. I love watching the Worlds events to see how they’re progressing. Stevie has done a lot of homework over there for sure
- Jeremy Laura

I agree. I think stutzle is more of a project and risk but if Stevie takes him it will be because he’s done his work and believes the upside is the best available wether he’s selected 2,3 or 4.

As for the European leagues I think what they do best is separate the age groups. They have U16,U18,U20 and then their pro leagues for the most part. This way you don’t have 17 year olds getting destroyed by 20 year olds or 20 year olds having it easy against kids. Also if a player is better than his age group he can play up an age group as well.

I think doing that has put their prospects in a position to succeed every year they play while not growing content and relying on their skill against weaker competition

I agree. I think stutzle is more of a project and risk but if Stevie takes him it will be because he’s done his work and believes the upside is the best available wether he’s selected 2,3 or 4.

As for the European leagues I think what they do best is separate the age groups. They have U16,U18,U20 and then their pro leagues for the most part. This way you don’t have 17 year olds getting destroyed by 20 year olds or 20 year olds having it easy against kids. Also if a player is better than his age group he can play up an age group as well.

I think doing that has put their prospects in a position to succeed every year they play while not growing content and relying on their skill against weaker competition
- RedC21

That’s a good point. Allowing kids to “play up” held these kids a lot. Seider was playing against men and had developed some confidence. The OHL has a lot of drop off when players graduate. They can be really good in jr but disappear in the AHL. I like they thought process. Well done

Put me down for Wings picking Lucas Raymond at fourth overall.

PLEASE tell me its not true that Blashill is returning!!!!!!!!

Just saw it on TV

Please NO

Put me down for Wings picking Lucas Raymond at fourth overall.
- Sven22

Nicely done. That is the very first pick for that player I’ve gotten. Outside the conventional and original

Jeremy Laura: The Captain, the coach, and the line that was missed
- Jeremy Laura

Now that I have looked at some other articles at Stevie's presser, "I have no plans on making a coaching change at this time." This was not a big endorsement for Blash and suggests an even shorter lease has been established. I am not on the "fire Blash" bandwagon, but still think there are better choices. However, it also allows more time for Stevie to see if Coop becomes available..........
LET THE 24 MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

Now that I have looked at some other articles at Stevie's presser, "I have no plans on making a coaching change at this time." This was not a big endorsement for Blash and suggests an even shorter lease has been established. I am not on the "fire Blash" bandwagon, but still think there are better choices. However, it also allows more time for Stevie to see if Coop becomes available..........
LET THE 24 MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
- HenryHockey

Ya. It’s not the kiss of death “I stand by my coach” GMs give before a firing. A bit lukewarm. There are a couple of you who would love to see Coop. I think he practiced law in Lansing, so a homecoming? He and Blash are good friends

Ya. It’s not the kiss of death “I stand by my coach” GMs give before a firing. A bit lukewarm. There are a couple of you who would love to see Coop. I think he practiced law in Lansing, so a homecoming? He and Blash are good friends
- Jeremy Laura

Agreed, we have lot’s of time right now.

PLEASE tell me its not true that Blashill is returning!!!!!!!!

Just saw it on TV

Please NO
- Tee56

Hoping for big changes hit a bit of a wall for now