The Detroit Red Wings are smack dab in the middle of a rebuilding phase and there is no expectation that they will contend for a Stanley Cup anytime soon.
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But when the Wings are ready to contend, who will be the head coach?
According to a report from Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Red Wings’ GM Ken Holland has “all but stated” that Blashill will get an extension before long.
From Detroit Free Press:
The subject came up Monday afternoon as Holland spoke after the trade deadline had passed. Blashill is in the fourth and final year of his contract, and while the Wings are going to miss the playoffs for a third straight season, the organization likes how hard the team plays under Blashill, how the team is in most games, and the growth shown by young players such as Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Bertuzzi.
A contract extension had been expected, and Holland essentially confirmed that will happen.
“I think he’s done a great job,” Holland said. “You look at the standings and it’s hard to think anybody has done a great job when you see where we are in the standings. But he’s playing our young players. Lots of the young players have improved under his watch. When I see our team go out on the power play late in a game, there’s lots of young players. The young players have grown under his watch.
“I’m big on experience. This is his fourth year in the NHL and there’s no doubt he’s a better coach today than he was four years ago just by the experience of getting to know the NHL and the types of players it takes to play in this league. I think he’s done a real good job.”
Nation, do you think it is the right move to extend Blashill?
