Wings officially have vacancy in asst coach spot

[Echolalia 2,961]

Yeah I've been doing some research on some of the more successful coaches of the AHL in recent history. Most of the cup winners have already been picked, but the coach of the Iowa Wild of the AHL, Kleinendorst, has had some success at a couple different levels, including leading the Senators to the Calder cup a few years back, as well as a USA Hockey National Team under 18 gold. He's been coaching for a while, and some years are more successful than others, so I don't know if this guy is a solid coach who has suffered from bad talent every so often (right now he's currently the coach of the Iowa Wild in their first season in the AHL; can't fault him for no championships there), or if he's an average coach who's success was due to an abundance of talent. Maybe someone with some AHL experience can chime in on this guy, cuz other than what I've dug up, I've never heard of him.

Edited June 21, 2014 by Echolalia

[PumpkinEscobar 136]

Would love to see Todd Nelson get it

[Echolalia 2,961]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=723330&navid=nhl:topheads

Well Bylsma was passed up for the Panthers gig (although theres some speculation that he passed them up due to some conflict with the contract). How many head coaching openings are left right now? Bylsma may have to settle for an assistant coach position (or a different league, or take a year off), if things don't turn around.

Edited June 21, 2014 by Echolalia

[JSDO3O 4]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=723330&navid=nhl:topheads

Well Bylsma was passed up for the Panthers gig (although theres some speculation that he passed them up due to some conflict with the contract). How many head coaching openings are left right now? Bylsma may have to settle for an assistant coach position (or a different league, or take a year off), if things don't turn around.

The only opening left now is Pitt. Soooooo...... he's good old Michigan boy. Might he come home to assist Babs?

Edited June 21, 2014 by JSDO3O

[LeftWinger 5,130]

FWIW, I think in light of the Dave Lewis situation a few years back, the Wings aren't going to go for recently retired former player familiar to most of the team type of guy. I think it'd be kinda difficult for Lidstrom to be behind the bench during a game and have the team watch his actions Nick made it pretty clear he was leaving to return to Sweden to be near his family and have his younger children grow up there. I think he'd probably still be playing if that weren't the case.

I think Andy Murray is almost on the opposite side of the spectrum. He's in his mid-60's. While the tweet said he was staying at Western and not interested in the Leafs, I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility he'd consider the Wings if offered. Since they already have an older former head coach in Renney, I'm thinking they'll go with a younger, lesser known type of guy.

I'll be honest, when the Wings hired Blashill and Peters, I said "who"? I don't think most fans are up on that type of stuff, so I will trust that the Red Wings are.

FWIW, Dave Lewis made the jump from player to Asst. Coach the very next year with Jacques Demers and lasted through Scotty Bowman and was a helluva asst coach througout the Dynasty years. How many plaeyrs are left on the team that played with Lidstrom? 4 maybe 5? That being said, I doubt Lids will be the next asst. coach, but I have no doubt he wouldn't have any problems getting the attention of the defense and PP teams. IMO, when Blashill (for how good he is doing in GR) and Peters were hired, they really didn't do too well as asst. coaches in the NHL. Our PP has been abysmal, our PK isn't in the top 15 of the league and our defense has been WAY off whack!

I really don't have any suggestions as to who will come in and turn it all around, but I do like Chelios as a candidate along with Bylsma and Larionov (two I mentioned earlier.)

[Echolalia 2,961]

The only opening left now is Pitt. Soooooo...... he's good old Michigan boy. Might he come home to assist Babs?

I'm beginning to think this could end up happening. Like you said, he's from Michigan, and also this would be a chance to work with Babcock, who is widely regarded as one of (if not the) best coaches in the league. At the very least, Babs seems to know how to train NHL level coaches. I mean Bill Peters even got the job over Bylsma in Carolina. My only question would be why would Byslma want to come here as an assistant if the rumor is true that he turned down the opportunity to be a head coach elsewhere. I doubt he'd find the money he's looking for here.

[JSDO3O 4]

I'm beginning to think this could end up happening. Like you said, he's from Michigan, and also this would be a chance to work with Babcock, who is widely regarded as one of (if not the) best coaches in the league. At the very least, Babs seems to know how to train NHL level coaches. I mean Bill Peters even got the job over Bylsma in Carolina. My only question would be why would Byslma want to come here as an assistant if the rumor is true that he turned down the opportunity to be a head coach elsewhere. I doubt he'd find the money he's looking for here.

I agree completely. But he's either gonna have to take less money in North America or move himself to Europe somewhere to make more.

[evilmrt 636]

That guy who coaches a hockey team 9 miles away might work.

[Din758 371]

Why isn't anyone talking about blashill coming up? Did I miss something there?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Echolalia 2,961]

Why isn't anyone talking about blashill coming up? Did I miss something there? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I think the plan is to have Blashill in Grand Rapids for at least another year, and depending on what happens with Babcock next year, he may become the Wings' new head coach, or perhaps join another NHL team elsewhere.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Personally I think the Panthers didn't want or couldn't afford Bylsma. Despite his firing the guy is a big name in the coaching business. Also keep in mind, they Pens only have to pay him 100 % till he finds a new job at this point they are only paying the difference between his new and the old salary. So if I were him I'd be taking a year off enjoy life with my family and then reflect on my mistakes.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

I think the plan is to have Blashill in Grand Rapids for at least another year, and depending on what happens with Babcock next year, he may become the Wings' new head coach, or perhaps join another NHL team elsewhere.

Blashill signed a 3 year extension whi h means either he stays in gr or he replaces babs. He won't be going to another team

[Echolalia 2,961]

Blashill signed a 3 year extension whi h means either he stays in gr or he replaces babs. He won't be going to another team

Good call, I forgot about the three year extension.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

@HeleneStJames: Mike Babcock said he called Nicklas Lidstrom about #RedWings asst. coach job, told him Mrs. Lidstrom happier in DET. Lidstrom didn't bite.