WOOD TV’s Larry Figurski conducted an “exit interview” with Grand Rapids Griffins coach Todd Nelson (who’s taken an assistant coach’s job with the Dallas Stars and new coach Jim Montgomery’s staff), and the 8-and-a-half-minute long clip was aired on Sports OT last night.
According to Nelson, it was his decision to leave the Red Wings’ organization despite the assistant coach’s vacancy in Detroit. Nelson felt that he needed a fresh start:
I think the most revealing comment is Dallas offers more “security” given Montgomery is starting fresh. The fear of joining Blashill’s staff is that Nelson likely realizes Blashill is probably gone after this season…so whoever takes over from Blashill probably wants to bring in his own assistants. So:
A) Go to Dallas and be an assistant for 3 years, before hopefully getting noticed for a head job
B) Stay in Detroit for 1 year, lose a lot of games, watch Blashill get let go, and then wonder whether the new head coach wants you on his staff.
This is an issue when you have a lame-duck GM and a lame-duck coach.