The Red Wings’ power play stank on ice last season, but the Free Press’s Helene St. James asked Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill about the team’s belief that this year’s special teams units–and the power play in particular–will improve thanks to an influx of new personnel and a re-dedication to “finishing” their job of scoring key goals:
Even with the Red Wings often putting their best players on one power play unit last season, their conversion rate, 14.9%, ranked 29th out of 31 teams.
Now a new season beckons — the opener is Jan. 14 against the Carolina Hurricanes —and with an influx of new players — thanks to general manager Steve Yzerman — the Wings look like they can field two functional power play units.
“Our power play hasn’t been good enough nor has any player been productive enough on the power play,” coach Jeff Blashill said Thursday. “I want to create two units and I hope they’re super competitive and I hope they both play great.”
While five-on-five play was the focus of the first scrimmage, special teams are on the menu for Friday’s and Sunday’s scrimmages. One unit features Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha on the flanks, Tyler Bertuzzi in the bumper role, Bobby Ryan in front of the net and Danny DeKeyser on the point. The other has Filip Zadina and Sam Gagner on the flanks, Robby Fabbri in front of the net and Filip Hronek and Jon Merrill on the points.
Both units have at least one player (Ryan, Gagner, Hronek) who shoots right, a balance that should allow for multiple looks, once it’s set up.
the power play won’t improve under blashill. it was bad when he was the assistant under babcock, and never improved when he was the head coach. he lacks imagination, and the ability to adjust to the talent that is available to him.
and if he says “real” or “really” again, a reporter ought to hand him a thesaurus.