29.
That’s the total number of goals Detroit has allowed so far this year, the most in the league. That’s four more than the Philadelphia Flyers, who’s 3-3-0 and finds themselves with the 9th most goals scored. The Red Wings are 0-4-2.
It was fairly clear that the Red Wings would struggle to find good play from the blue line this year, but DAMN!
As it’s been pointed out time and time again, this was inevitable after a 25 year run of excellence. They need quality draft picks, like Filip Zadina, to get back to relevance, but until then this is what should be expected and, unfortunately, I think it’ll cost Jeff Blashill his job. He’s been placed in a rough situation where success does not equal progress. He’s succeeded at every other level in his coaching career and I believe he’s better than some give him credit for. The previous two seasons, his teams competed and battled despite being over matched. Despite my praise and high regard for JB, the best thing for him and his career might just be to move on.
Wait, what? Yes, move on.
Let him go pursue another NHL head coaching job where the shelves are completely barren and he has some talent to mold. Obviously, these jobs are difficult to land in the first place because, well, there are only 31 of them (for now) but it would be worth it for him as an individual if he were able to land a gig elsewhere (I’m looking at you Edmonton). I hope this doesn’t happen and I hope his name is etched on The Cup as a Red Wing but I also want to see a good coach be successful again.