On Saturday, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill called Dennis Cholowski in for a chat. The coaching staff wanted to get Filip Hronek into the lineup. The team had also been looking for a chance to sit Cholowski, the talented rookie who has provided a needed infusion of youth into the Red Wings defense.



For as well as the 20-year-old has performed this season, the coaching staff felt his play was starting to taper off. After every game, the coaches rate all the players and Cholowski’s name was appearing as the lowest amongst Detroit defensemen. It happened enough that the staff felt it warranted a conversation.



The inclination was to sit him against the Calgary Flames on Friday, but Cholowski played well the previous game against the Ducks and the Red Wings had won consecutive games. Blashill felt like it would have sent a mixed message. Had Cholowski played well in the 6-4 loss to the Flames, he would have likely remained in the lineup. He didn’t. So the team...