The Detroit Red Wings and GM Steve Yzerman made the call this offseason to officially extend head coach Jeff Blashill‘s contract, which expired at the conclusion of the 2020-21 NHL campaign.
As Yzerman explained after the deal was completed, the focus right now is the continued development of the young players on the roster, which was one of the key assets of Blashill upon his hiring in 2015 as the former coach of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
And as the team continues to be reworked in Yzerman’s image after being hamstrung by several poor deals signed by former GM Ken Holland, Blashill believes that the team is trending in the right direction.
Tonight, they begin their 95th season in franchise history. Blashill, who is beginning his 7th season behind the bench, has what he believes is the receipt for success.
“Well, I know what we need to be, to be successful, I’ll start there,” Blashill explained. “We going to have to check right – we have to be a really good defensive team. We can be the best checking team in the League. I don’t know if we can be the highest scoring team in the League, but I know we can be the best checking team in the League.”
Jeff Blashill knows what it will take for the @DetroitRedWings to be successful this season.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/2f8acWtXW6
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) October 14, 2021
