Jeff Blashill = Dave Lewis 2.0 / Coaching Change

[Bill Berzeench 310]

LOL

Wings hit a patch and I have to read this s***. FML.

The funny thing is you don't. And you dont have to reply either! ThT's 2 things to save you time and make your life better!!!

[number9 3,297]

The funny thing is you don't. And you dont have to reply either! ThT's 2 things to save you time and make your life better!!!

And likewise you don't have to read or reply to Rick either! Isn't it great???

[kipwinger 8,524]

To tell you the truth, I think I'd rather this team struggle to begin the season and finish strong down the stretch.

Last year the Capitals struggled badly during the first part of the season after Trotz came on board. Everybody expected immediate improvement considering Trotz is one of the better coaches in the league but presumably learning a new coach's systems and adjusting to massive personnel turnover took some time. However, once everything clicked they finished strong and were one of the hottest teams heading into the playoffs.

We'll find our stride.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Frank, This roster has the talent and depth to compete with any team in this league. Coach B needs to figure this out and how to make them work.

On the Holland note... he has pissed me off with some of his decisions (Franzen vs Hossa) but if you step back and look at the big picture this team is what it is because of his mastry as a human GM. Human because noone is perfect but there is NO other team in the league that has done what he has. In fact, there are numerous teams that point outright to him and the Red Wings at the model they are after. Look at our version of a rebuild and compare it say to the Edmonton Oilers version.... its easy to see how we as Wings fans have gotten spoiled over the years of winning. Don't forget that crazy salary caps... is doing what it was intended as teams are far closer matched as a whole and there are alot more teams with a chances to win... A hot goalie, team comes together at the right time and look out. The most dangerous teams from my point of view that past few years are the ones that catch fire in time to make the playoffs just in time, they are then in play off mode when the others are getting in. Holland is not the prpblems here. The problems lies between the coach and the players... both have FAR better in them and they had better figure it out together NOW!

See and that's where I beg to differ. This team lacks the scoring instinct and especially defensive capabilities to do so. They are able to hang in there for a few games but in the end they lose we've seen this story top much the last few years.

As far as Blashill he is 18 games into his NHL coaching so growing pains are to be expected, aside from the Anti-Babcock crowd most people didn't expect a seamless transition here.

Green is what he is a pp qb who needs other players to cover up for his mistakes in the defensive side of the game, Richards is a serviceable 3 line center so I don't know why both additions got so over hyped. Yes I'm looking at our version of the rebuild and it has me very concerned because there is nobody with even the potential to fill the defensive needs and we all have to hope Larkin continues his impressive play because Pasha is soon gone

A traditional rebuild would have us left with 3, 4 top ten picks and the possibility to reload for another cup run in a few years. But you are right the systems currently in place are making the NHL a boredom fest...our second Christmas (July first) is gone, fights and physical play gone, linebrawls gone and GMs are limited in what they can..so yes I do understand that Holland has limitations but I would prefer if he at least tried to pull of some block busters because the UFA classes aren't what they've used to be which sucks the fun out of it.

Blashill is not in an easy position here but he will figure out whether some players are able to adapt needs to be seen if some aren't it's like I've said time for trades..to shake things up a bit.

People can laugh at Edmonton all they want but with McDavid, Hall, RNH, Nurse and Draisaitl plus Talbot in goal their future is very bright whether we like it or not.

[The Secret 304]

To tell you the truth, I think I'd rather this team struggle to begin the season and finish strong down the stretch.

Last year the Capitals struggled badly during the first part of the season after Trotz came on board. Everybody expected immediate improvement considering Trotz is one of the better coaches in the league but presumably learning a new coach's systems and adjusting to massive personnel turnover took some time. However, once everything clicked they finished strong and were one of the hottest teams heading into the playoffs.

We'll find our stride.

Mr. Winger... for once I agree with you

I hope we start to see slow steady improvement soon.

[number9 3,297]

See and that's where I beg to differ. This team lacks the scoring instinct and especially defensive capabilities to do so. They are able to hang in there for a few games but in the end they lose we've seen this story top much the last few years.

As far as Blashill he is 18 games into his NHL coaching so growing pains are to be expected, aside from the Anti-Babcock crowd most people didn't expect a seamless transition here.

Green is what he is a pp qb who needs other players to cover up for his mistakes in the defensive side of the game, Richards is a serviceable 3 line center so I don't know why both additions got so over hyped. Yes I'm looking at our version of the rebuild and it has me very concerned because there is nobody with even the potential to fill the defensive needs and we all have to hope Larkin continues his impressive play because Pasha is soon gone

A traditional rebuild would have us left with 3, 4 top ten picks and the possibility to reload for another cup run in a few years. But you are right the systems currently in place are making the NHL a boredom fest...our second Christmas (July first) is gone, fights and physical play gone, linebrawls gone and GMs are limited in what they can..so yes I do understand that Holland has limitations but I would prefer if he at least tried to pull of some block busters because the UFA classes aren't what they've used to be which sucks the fun out of it.

Blashill is not in an easy position here but he will figure out whether some players are able to adapt needs to be seen if some aren't it's like I've said time for trades..to shake things up a bit.

People can laugh at Edmonton all they want but with McDavid, Hall, RNH, Nurse and Draisaitl plus Talbot in goal their future is very bright whether we like it or not.

The future is always bright in Edmonton, that's what happens when you always suck. No where to go but up. That's not something to be envious of.

[kipwinger 8,524]

Mr. Winger... for once I agree with you

I hope we start to see slow steady improvement soon.

I think we already have. After our first few games we looked REALLY bad against Carolina, Ottawa, and on our Western Canada road trip. We looked absolutely abysmal against bad teams.

Since then I felt we played better, even when the win/loss column didn't reflect it. We played some pretty good teams recently, and I thought we looked good. We beat Tampa, beat Toronto (not a good team), lost to Dallas in a closer game than the score indicated, beat Washington in a strong performance, lost a good game to San Jose, and lost a stinker to Boston.

Lately it seems (with the exception of the Boston game) that we're playing good for periods of time, against pretty good teams. Earlier in the season we never played good, even against bad teams.

We're coming along. It's going to continue to take time. However, if we can hang around the standings (thankfully we're doing fine so far), I'd expect to see a dramatically better team after the new year.

[kickazz 5,459]

Babcock > Blashill

Perfect time of season to come back. We need your number9 style comments around. The sky is fallinnn. Edited November 16, 2015 by kickazz

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

you have to actually give blash a chance. I say at least two years. It's not as if a new coach will all of the sudden get everyone on this team playing above and beyond what they are capable of. Lets not kid here this team does not have that many good players. On a side not Kronwall is a shell of himself this year. Im not sure when this happened but all of the sudden for me anyway its like he is losing his skills very rapidly. I can't count how many times this year I have seen someone on D make a really dumb play with the puck and I think to myself who was that? Erickson, Smith, Kindl? and alot of the times im shocked when its old number 55.

[number9 3,297]

Perfect time of season to come back. We need your number9 style comments around. The sky is fallinnn.

I mean seriously though. Does anyone want to argue that Babcock is inferior to Blashill? He's not. It's like comparing Dats and Larkin. Sure we hope and expect the future to be bright with Larkin, but Dats is simply the better player. And he should be. He's the vet and Larkin is a rookie.

I just find it funny how many people thought this team would be better bc of a "fresh voice". Fresh voice = rookie growing pains.

But no I don't think the sky is falling.

[wings7 62]

A lot of us are upset with how the Wings are playing.

Some of us are okay with us being where we are at.

My take is simple.

Why did Blashill get the job if everyone is saying he is so inferior to Babcock?

Why did we replace arguably the best coach we've ever had besides Scotty with a guy so inferior?

It's a little bizarre to me.

This isn't that young of a team in terms of years anymore.

These guys have been getting experience. They've been in the playoffs.

It's time to take a step forward.

It's unacceptable for Detroit hockey to be so poor.

Forget the reasons the Wings suck for a second, I'm curious, why do some of you accept mediocrity with the Wings but you never would with the Lions?

Edited November 16, 2015 by wings7

[wings7 62]

You've been thinking Blashill's the problem since like four games in, dude. There's a hell of a lot more wrong with this team than the coaching. Stop being so short-sighted. Scotty Bowman could come in with all the strategies and line combos in the world, but if the bodies on the ice aren't able to/are unwilling to put it into practice then it doesn't matter.

To that says you don't think coaching matters...

[kickazz 5,459]

My take is simple.

Why did Blashill get the job if everyone is saying he is so inferior to Babcock?

Why did we replace arguably the best coach we've ever had besides Scotty with a guy so inferior?

It's a little bizarre to me.

?

Who would you have taken his job? Torterella? You think Z and D would play for Tortorella? I mean what other better option was there? How many coaches better than Babcock are available?

Blash knew the system, knew all the young players thru GR and knew all the vets thru his time as an assistant in 2012.

You do realize that common sense would indicate towards hiring somone with that much experience with the system than without right?

You've been complaining since our 3rd loss or so. If this was Babcock instead of Blash having this type season (WHICH HE HAS HAD) with us, not a peep out of you or anyone else.

So easy to argue hindsight.

That's what makes hindisght arguments worthless.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

A lot of us are upset with how the Wings are playing.

Some of us are okay with us being where we are at.

My take is simple.

Why did Blashill get the job if everyone is saying he is so inferior to Babcock?

Why did we replace arguably the best coach we've ever had besides Scotty with a guy so inferior?

It's a little bizarre to me.

This isn't that young of a team in terms of years anymore.

These guys have been getting experience. They've been in the playoffs.

It's time to take a step forward.

It's unacceptable for Detroit hockey to be so poor.

Forget the reasons the Wings suck for a second, I'm curious, why do some of you accept mediocrity with the Wings but you never would with the Lions?

When someone is described as the best coach in hockey (= superlative) it means, that everyone else is not as good. So no matter whom the Wings would have hired the person would have been "inferior". You've stated your dislike for Blashill after 4 games in, after 8 games in and now after 18 games in. So please tell who from the available candidates would have been better? Don't get me wrong I would have been happy if the Wings had interviewed more guys but they didn't and I still believe Blashill will be a good maybe even great coach one day, the guy has won at every level so far. But right now he is in for his biggest challenge AHL --> NHL this is a huge step up for everyone not just players because things that might work perfectly inthe AHL aren't going to fly in the NHL which includes strategies, PP variants . There simple is a different if you coach a guy like say AA against some other AHL defenders or let him do the same thing against a guy like Doughty, Keith.

So again whom would you have prefered? Babcock accepted the challenge elsewhere there is nothing the Wings could have done to avoid that and judging by the way some players talked about him (with a bit of disrespect) after he was gone...maybe it was time for that step, because both sides were ready to move on.

What Blashill will have to going forward is simple: bench players that aren't willing or capable of following his system this is his team now he is the coach and maybe some players need the tough love? People were laughing when some people stated that Babs has the Wings playing over their abilities and only 18 games in it seems like that was exactly the case. Even one of the best coaches (John Cooper) needed time to adjust to the NHL game once he did Tampa took of (also thanks to the captain and the unbelievable rebuild he did in just 4 years!).

I would bet my house that not even Scotty Bowman in his haydays, Quennville, Darryl Sutter or McLellan (who would have been my top replacement priority) could change much? Let Blashill learn and if Blashill still hasn't figured out by the same time next year maybe revisit this debate again. I'm just not a fan of blaming rookie coaches (there are for sure exceptions like that coach in Edmonton who threw a water battle at Hall..). Like you've said this team has experience and it's time for the leaders to step up their game and get the job done - if they aren't able to ...well then find players who are able and willing to do so.

You can quote me on that I think Blashill will turn out to be a good (maybe even great) coach.

Edit: Don't even think for a minute that Kronner, Z or Pasha would have been willing to put up with a coach like Tortarella and neither would Tatar, Nyquist, Green and for sure NOT Richards (he hates him).

Edited November 16, 2015 by frankgrimes

[Bill Berzeench 310]

Blashill hasnt figured out who his best players are yet. Once he does that, we will get more consistent.

[wings7 62]

Why are you all so against me? And so happy with Blashill?

I don't know what better options were out there, but I'd bet there were some. Steal a coach. We're the Red Wings, not the Leafs. And the LEAFS DID STEAL A COACH!

Figure out who his best players are? That shouldn't take too long or ANY TIME AT ALL.

You guys keep mentioning players figuring out his system…what is his system?

Stop coming at me. I'm voicing my opinion. I'm allowed to right. It's a forum.

And yes, Scotty or Q would do better with this team, are you for real?

Edited November 16, 2015 by wings7

[canadian wings fan 305]

We are playing like s***. Something needs to change, Blashill needs to implement some better lineup changes/combos or work out his system because whatever's he's trying has not worked.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

A lot of us are upset with how the Wings are playing.

Some of us are okay with us being where we are at.

My take is simple.

Why did Blashill get the job if everyone is saying he is so inferior to Babcock?

Why did we replace arguably the best coach we've ever had besides Scotty with a guy so inferior?

It's a little bizarre to me.

This isn't that young of a team in terms of years anymore.

These guys have been getting experience. They've been in the playoffs.

It's time to take a step forward.

It's unacceptable for Detroit hockey to be so poor.

Forget the reasons the Wings suck for a second, I'm curious, why do some of you accept mediocrity with the Wings but you never would with the Lions?

I'm definitely not happy with the way the Red Wings are playing and I actually agree with you that coaching is likely part of the reason.

However, I feel as though you are wrong in a lot of your assumptions.

First off, Blashill got the job because he was very successful in the AHL (which he coached many of the current Red Wings) and it's not like coaches who are better than Babcock are just waiting around anxious to coach the Red Wings.

Good coaches generally aren't available for a reason. Who do you think would do a better job than Blashill? If your argument is that we need to fire the coach, you need to have a plan in place once he's gone. So far I haven't seen that from you, I've seen a lot of anger from you but you seem to be lacking in presenting a solution to the problem you've identified.

It's kind of hilarious to hear people say that it's unacceptable for Detroit hockey to be so poor and I think it's why I know a lot of people who say things like, "Detroit has the worst fans in the league" because of statements like that when Detroit has made the playoffs for longer than some of my friends have been alive and for some franchises that have been in existence. Can you imagine the reaction you would get from an Oilers, Sharks, Sabres, Avalanche, Wild, (the list goes on) to hear a Wings fan saying it's unacceptable for their team to be so bad when they currently hold the longest active playoff streak in North American pro sports.

We're spoiled as Red Wings fans sometimes.

[wings7 62]

I'm definitely not happy with the way the Red Wings are playing and I actually agree with you that coaching is likely part of the reason.

However, I feel as though you are wrong in a lot of your assumptions.

First off, Blashill got the job because he was very successful in the AHL (which he coached many of the current Red Wings) and it's not like coaches who are better than Babcock are just waiting around anxious to coach the Red Wings.

Good coaches generally aren't available for a reason. Who do you think would do a better job than Blashill? If your argument is that we need to fire the coach, you need to have a plan in place once he's gone. So far I haven't seen that from you, I've seen a lot of anger from you but you seem to be lacking in presenting a solution to the problem you've identified.

It's kind of hilarious to hear people say that it's unacceptable for Detroit hockey to be so poor and I think it's why I know a lot of people who say things like, "Detroit has the worst fans in the league" because of statements like that when Detroit has made the playoffs for longer than some of my friends have been alive and for some franchises that have been in existence. Can you imagine the reaction you would get from an Oilers, Sharks, Sabres, Avalanche, Wild, (the list goes on) to hear a Wings fan saying it's unacceptable for their team to be so bad when they currently hold the longest active playoff streak in North American pro sports.

We're spoiled as Red Wings fans sometimes.

I think you make a lot of fair points.

My plan is one or two things.

If I'm Holland, I'm talking with Blashill. Asking him what's going on. I'm talking to the assistants too.

Personally I'm sick of hearing Blashill's press conferences where he says we need to shoot more. Duh. Why aren't we?

Why do certain players who aren't playing well, get to play? I'd fix that.

Also why are we changing the lines every shift? It's a little too much for my taste.

But a coach didn't have to be available to get him. Babcock left Anaheim to come here. We could've done that again. Barry Trotz for instance might have left. If the price was right. Who knows.

The spoiled thing I get. But we are playing very uninspired. Last few seasons with Babs, most games were entertaining. We didn't just look beat down.

I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me like a human.

[kipwinger 8,524]

You realize that you can't "steal" a coach that's under contract right? I mean, its against league rules. It's not one of those things people say "can't be done" just because it's hard. In this instance you really CAN'T steal a coach. So Trotz was out of the question.

You'd have to choose between guys like Tortarella, Bylsma, McClellan, and a bunch of guys worse than them. There was only one first rate coach who wasn't under contract, and he was leaving Detroit, not staying.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Why are you all so against me? And so happy with Blashill?

I don't know what better options were out there, but I'd bet there were some. Steal a coach. We're the Red Wings, not the Leafs. And the LEAFS DID STEAL A COACH!

Figure out who his best players are? That shouldn't take too long or ANY TIME AT ALL.

You guys keep mentioning players figuring out his system…what is his system?

Stop coming at me. I'm voicing my opinion. I'm allowed to right. It's a forum.

And yes, Scotty or Q would do better with this team, are you for real?

Nobody is against you it doesn't even matter what we discuss here. The thing is you want Blashill fired fine, it's your opinion but with whom do you replace him? Sorry, but the Leafs didn't steal Babcock the Wings gave Babock the freedom to talk to other teams and he decided to take on the massive challenge in Toronto - in fact we are getting a second rounder from them at some point in the next 2 years

Figuring out who your best players are and how to use them in a new system is always going to take a lot of time. Look at the Penguins they have Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang, MAF and Maata yet after almost 2 years their coach hasn't figured out that's the point when you can say ok this coach might not work here but after 18 games? I don't think so. I mean who could have predicted such a fall from grace from Kronner?

Yes I am for real would Q or Scotty have a different team? No, as good as both guys are (especially Scotty best coach EVER) it would still be a new (= non Babs system), so it would take the Wings time to figure it out.

[Richdg 267]

No one is happy with our start. For anyone to think that is silly. We all want to win. That goes from the top down. every player, coach, Gm, owner, and fan. But this team as built is not a great team. It is an average team. Nearly everyone in the hockey world believes that Babcock is the best coach in the game. But even with him we barely made the PO's and left quickly. Now he is gone-his choice. So if he is the best, then any coach we have is less than that.

The real issue with this team is the players, not the coaches. This weekend when wewere on the PP we had Helm working as the front of net guy on the 2nd PP. think about that. A 5-10/180 guy with no shooting ability as the front of net presence. Ok blame the coach for putting him there. But who else do we have? No one. Abby is on the 1st PP, Sheahan has been tried but to date has not shown he can ahndle that job. The point is, we lack talent/ability in some very key areas. Look at our BL. Kronwall is a poor defender. Ericsson has never taken the step to become a shutdown Dman, Smith hasn't, green has never played good D. The only good defensive Dmen we have a KFQ-hurt and Dekeyser-he is till working himself into game shape after his injury. These are just some of the issues. There is only 1 way to fix these types of issues: bring in outside talent. That is on Holland. We do have pieces to do so now. So relax-I know no fun, and let's see what happens.

[wings7 62]

What is Blashill's system though, for real? What is this team's identity?

[Echolalia 2,961]

What is Blashill's system though, for real? What is this team's identity?

It's similar to Babcock's; everything starts with good defensive play and works it's way out from there, with an emphasis on speed. But there are some fundamentally different ways things are executed. For instance Blash has ran a play off defensive zone face off wins where the forwards jet out of the zone instead of support the defenseman. The plus of this is it should either back the opposing defenders off our blueline, or if it doesn't, we are potentially one pass away from a breakaway. The downside is if our D don't get the puck out, the numbers are against us in our zone. Whether you think it's better or worse is up to you, but it's one of several things that this team is doing now that wasn't done under Babcock, and conversely, several things that were done under Babs are not being done now. And if one player is playing an old system play (out of habit) while the other four guys on the ice are playing the Blash system, that's when passes don't hit the tape and turnovers occur. And most of our issues seem to stem from s*** like that, and not so much the other team imposing their will and breaking up our plays. We just aren't executing as a unit yet. Personally I'm kind of frustrated at that because we're almost a quarter into the season and I expect professional athletes to have adapted at this point, but progress has been made since game 1 so as long as the Wings continue to trend up I'm going to remain patient. That first week the Wings played like half the team at any moment was playing Blashill plays while the other half was playing Babcock plays, and anything that required passing just didn't work. As time has progressed it looks like more guys are on the same page than before, although there are some hiccups still (and actually with Dastyuk being "new" to the roster his lines might struggle for a few weeks while he incorporates himself into the new schemes.)

[kickazz 5,459]

Blashill has bigger emphasis on D-men pushing up as well.