In Red Wings Land

As the Detroit Red Wings head into the final week of their season, there’s one item that tops their to-do list: announce an extension for coach Jeff Blashill. The deal is for two years, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The length signals to Blashill the organization wants to see the Wings make the playoffs during that span. An announcement is likely to come Tuesday, when the Wings host Pittsburgh Penguins at Little Caesars Arena.

My immediate reaction to this news:

Jeff Blashill gets a two year extension and Steve Yzerman rolls with him next year as a trial run since the Red Wings are probably going to be bad anyway. Let’s see what he can do and if the team can build upon this late season success. If Yzerman is not satisfied, then he fires Blashill and brings in his own guy summer 2020. The second year of the extension is just there so everyone can avoid the whole ‘lame duck coach/will he or won’t he return’ situation throughout next season. The Ilitch family can afford to pay Blashill whatever that last year is worth if he’s fired.

(Of course, if Yzerman doesn’t return this summer then ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ all bets are off)

Around the League

10. EVGENY SVECHNIKOV, RW, DETROIT RED WINGS (-36) Last year: 65th This year: not ranked in top 100

Injuries play a big part in this one.