Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made the call to retain head coach Jeff Blashill for another season, despite the fact that his team compiled an NHL worst 17-49-5 record last season prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.
Yzerman’s reasoning for his decision was that it wouldn’t be fair to judge Blashill’s performance as a coach while the team was in the midst of a painful rebuild.
However, with several new faces on the roster this season, the approaching campaign will be of the “show me” variety for Blashill, who is in the final year of his contract.
And according to the oddsmakers at BetOnline.ag, he’s the most likely to be given a pink slip amongst NHL coaches.
He’s listed currently with 8-1 odds to be the 1st NHL coach fired this season. He’s then followed by Rick Tocchet (Arizona, 9-1), Paul Maurice (Winnipeg, 10-1), Bob Boughner (San Jose, 12-11), Dallas Eakins (Anaheim, 12-1) and Todd McLellan (Los Angeles, 12-1).
Last season saw tremendous turnover behind NHL benches, as eight coaches were dismissed by their respective teams – including former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Red Wings fans, will Blashill be behind the bench for Detroit after this season?
What we’re doing feels less like a rebuild and more like stagnation, because I get the feeling Stevie could rebuild this team 3 times over and Blashill still wouldn’t be able to develop it. He’s had a former 2nd rounder thrown at him who came in on fire (Ryan) which has now been fully extinguished by Blashill’s coaching. This for me is the proof that Blashill can’t coach and has squandered a highly motivated player and turned him into a miserable piece who’s already starting to look like he lacks confidence. Thats within weeks of him coming here and looking like the hottest thing in the NHL. Blashill can’t coach high end talent and it appears that he cant develop low end talent either.
* Sorry typo – meant former 2nd pick, not 2nd rounder which makes it even worse. I’m not willing to give Blashill any breaks, not even in a rushed typo so screw it, just fire him and lets get this rebuild actually started instead of rolling around at the bottom of the barrel whilst waiting for the guy to find the door.