RW wrote:
This is my problem, Eric. I agree that Blashill's job is developing the kids. With the exception of Tyler Bertuzzi, all the rest of the top prospects had a worse year, statistically, in 2019/2020 then what they had accomplished the year before. I know they played 11 fewer games than in 2018/2019, but, all the same, they just looked worse last year. The year before they seemed to be starting to show their progress. I think that they have become tired of Blashill's voice. They've been listening to it for 5 years and it's just not getting through anymore. I just think it's time for fresh voices behind the bench in Detroit, for what that's worth.
Just FYI Mantha's underlying numbers at even strength were frickin' MASSIVE this year. His numbers on the power play took a dip though.
I dunno...I think the biggest reason the Wings were on pace to finish at a record low was the biggest reason the Avalanche finished at a record low three seasons prior: The goaltending completely and totally imploded. Not the ONLY reason for either team, mind you, but the biggest. When you can't buy a save, it takes a toll, no matter how good or bad the team is in front, as well as the guy behind the bench. I don't think that's on the coach. This team was just bad, and they knew it was going to be bad. The lack of a real goalie just turned it from "bad" to "holy shit are you kidding me"? Trust me, I had to witness this particular episode already.
I'm guessing Blashill won't be there when Detroit's ready to win again. At present talent appears to be developing at an okay pace, and he's not doing anything to harm the team or poison the locker room, so he can probably just serve as a placeholder for now until a better candidate comes along. Or maybe he saves his job with a nice turnaround season (though I doubt it).
I haven't seen the Wings play much, but the few times I did, they didn't strike me as unengaged. They just weren't any good.
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