The Red Wings will be platooning their netminding out of necessity during the condensed 2020-2021 season, with Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Griess earning their fair shares of starts in no small part due to 8 sets of back-to-back games. DetroitRedWings.com’s Brett McWethy noted that Wings coach Jeff Blashill believes that his goaltenders can get the job done:
“I think both of them have been good,” Blashill said. “I think Thomas has done a good job, has impressed in a lot of ways. He’s good pro. He just comes and does his work. There’s not a lot else to worry about. He just totally does his job and he’s done a good job at it. I think we’re going to rely on both guys. Both guys are going to be important on our hockey team.”
Blashill, a former goalie himself during his collegiate career at Ferris State, sees tremendous value in having multiple goaltenders with versatile skill sets, but that are equally committed to winning.
“I think one of the characteristics that I’ve always looked for, that I know that Steve (Yzerman) has looked for, is guys that are selfless,” Blashill said. “Guys that care about winning equal to that of their own personal success. I think that’s what the best goalie tandems ultimately are. It won’t be one individual that’s going to push us to winning more games, it’s going to have to be as a group. I think as goalie partners, when you’re really good people and you care about the team equal that of yourself, you can really end up building a good friendship with your goalie partner.”
