ESPN’s Emily Kaplan discusses the person or persons under the most pressure for each NHL team as we approach the 2018-19 season.
She suggests that the Red Wings’ coach will have to shoulder the burden of responsibility if the team struggles again:
Head coach Jeff Blashill
This really should be Ken Holland, considering no team in the league is as hamstrung with bloated, poorly aged contracts as the Red Wings. But the GM has built a lot of equity due to past glory, and ownership kept him around with a two-year extension this spring. So now the bull’s-eye is on Blashill, who has a winning percentage below .500, and just one playoff win in three seasons.
Kaplan continues, and there’s no doubt that Blashill will face pressure to perform this season, but I’d argue that the Wings’ blueliners are in the spotlight as the team prepares for training camp.
First off, I’m glad a national writer is taking shots at Holland since the local press won’t. Secondly, we’ve already hired Blash’s replacement.
Wow and lol… I never thought of it that way, but your right. I think Blashill has to own up and feel the pressure. No excuses, start winning and progressing forward, or there should be consequence’s.
Blashill had big shoes to fill, and while Holland is partially to blame as well – when you look at what Gerrard Gallant did with Vegas you have to think that coaching plays a big role in a teams success. I’d like to see him succeed but I’m sure glad they’ve hired a competent Assistant to step in they get off to too bad a start.