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If they're not playing in a volcano, I'm not interested.

FWIW, I believe we've seen Blashill grow as a coach over the past few years.

I agree. He’s done well with USA hockey and getting recognized around the league despite having one of the worst NHL rosters. Obviously their hasn’t been a lot of team success to compare but young players like Larkin and Mantha kind of took over the team pretty seamlessly, which is pretty impressive. At the end of year 2 we weren’t sure if this team had any first line talent in the system at all. How big a difference a year can make

It would be nice if the NHL stopped with the year-after-year Winter Classic games. IMO-It's lost it's luster and now seems like a on-going challenge to see what novel stadiums/setting they can play the game. It's obvious from the news that Chicago and Boston are playing in South Bend that the actual teams playing in the game are kind of random/hand-outs. I'd make it a every other year, or something different/staggered timing to create more desire and "buzz" to watch. It's become a bit lame. Have they played the Winter Classic at Arthur Ash Stadium yet?? Augusta National??

I often wonder, while rebuilding a team with players who are still developing, if a young coach like Blashill can still be developing during the process as well. Are coaches expected to be perfect immediately out of the gates? If the Red Wings had been a contender when Babcock left, then maybe a veteran coach would be preferable. In five years could Blashill be a cup contending coach? Or will he remain average indefinitely?

Fixed

I agree losing Babcock was actually a good thing for us plus the players were just checked out when it came to him and need to see different coaching styles. When the team captain says it was time for Babcock to go that speaks volumes. I think Blash has actually done a good job at this point for some of the young players including AA, Mantha, Bertuzzi, Larkin. I’m not saying he’s done an amazing job but he’s done a pretty good job. A lot of us, including me prematurely reacted to him that 2nd year of coaching. But with more youngsters coming in, and AA’s ice time evolving and now Bertuzzi, we’re seeing that he’s setting up players up for success. Having said all this, I still don’t think Blashill will last for a cup run. I still think he’s like a Dave Lewis type transition guy. But like a better version of Dave Lewis. But to answer your question you asked. The evidence would have been the dip and Tatar and Nyquist production from the Babcock to Blashill transition. They’re the only players besides the veterans who were part of the transition. All the new players have been only with Blashill.