Jeff Blashill gives his take on Red Wings free-agent signings – Detroit Free Press
Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill talks about what the team did in free agency and how they can grow from within. Video by Brandon Folsom, Special to DFP.
Second-year coach happy to see the team get younger, but knows it has to get better from within
TRAVERSE CITY — Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill watched from the west-end mezzanine as his team’s 40 prospects, including all seven of their recent draft picks, went through drills during their skill development camp Saturday at Centre Ice Arena.
He watched Grand Rapids Griffins coach Todd Nelson lead the practice, and he thought the Wings’ future looks bright.
But that’s the future.
Following practice, Blashill said the only way for the Wings to win next season as well as snap their streak of three straight first-round exits in the NHL playoffs is for the team to grow from within.
That includes receiving growth from the Wings’ recent free agency signings.
“I still maintain that our No. 1 growth as a hockey team has to be from within,” he said. “Our young guys continue to take steps and get better.
“Part of that getting better is somebody’s got to become an elite player. We need one or two or three guys to become elite, elite players and go-to type of players. It’s the hardest thing to do, and we hope certain guys take that step.”
Blashill spoke in detail about several of the Wings’ recent free agency adds.
Replacing Datsyuk
With veteran Pavel Datsyuk forgoing his final contract year with the Wings to sign with Russia’s SKA St. Petersburg, the Wings knew they had to act fast to replace the center.
They did just that by signing Frans Nielsen from the New York Islanders to a six-year, $31.5-million contract immediately after the free agency period began July 1.
“Neilsen was right at the top of our lists based on him as a player,” Blashill said. “We’ve had a chance to watch him lots, both our pro scouts and coaching staff.
“From the people we’ve talked to, he’s just, to me, a winning type of player. He does everything really good.”
Nielsen, 32, played eight seasons with the Islanders, and has racked up 119 goals and 230 goals since he became a professional in 2000.
The Red Wings think his impact will be immediate.
“He plays in all situations and did for a team that went to the second round of the playoffs last year,” Blashill said. “He was one of their better players.
“When you lose Pavel like that, it’s great to add another center.”
Big brother Ott
Before free agency started, the Wings had a meeting with St. Louis Blues center Steve Ott and talked to the 33-year-old about adding his off-ice intangibles to their roster.
Ott pulled the trigger, signing with the Wings to a one-year, $800,000 deal shortly after teams were allowed to sign free agents.
Blashill was excited about the signing because of what he had been told about Ott, who was the 25th overall pick by the Dallas Stars in 2000.
“I talked to past coaches, the things that I have heard is, one, in the locker room, he brings unreal energy and accountability, and I don’t think you can have enough of that,” Blashill said.
Blashill said the move to add a veteran such as Ott was to ensure his younger players have a big brother to look up to, both in the locker room and off the ice.
“We are getting younger,” Blashill said. “The locker room has gotten younger over the years. I think if you can bring in somebody who has a better presence and can bring that energy and accountability, it’s great.
“His style of play is something I think we can use a little bit more of.”
Vanek’s rave reviews
Blashill’s experience watching Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek made him comfortable enough to want to sign the 32-year-old forward to a one-year contract worth $2.6 million.
“I know his history a little bit,” Blashill said. “I watched him in Sioux Falls, watched him when he was at the University of Minnesota. I’ve known him a long way coming up.”
Wings assistants John Torchetti and Doug Houda praised Vanek, who had 39 goals the past two seasons, as well.
“Both Torchetti and Houda have both coached him at different times,” Blashill noted. “They both say he has great ability, and I think we’re going to have a really motivated player.”
Blashill said he expects increased production from Vanek, who is a former 40-goal scorer.
“He’s got to come and do the work,” he said. “Him and I talked about that. If he does the work, I think it could be a really good marriage.”
Stamkos sweepstakes
Although Blashill mucked his hand when he was asked about not signing prized free agent Steven Stamkos, it was clear the second-year coach was frustrated the Tampa Bay Lightning center spurned the Wings’ free agency offer, as well as deals from other teams, to re-sign with the team that drafted him in 2008.
“He made the decision that was best for him and the Lightning,” Blashill said.
The Red Wings may have been willing to give Stamkos seven years and $70 million. Stamkos took the Lightning’s offer of eight years and, according to TSN, $68 million instead.
Going forward
Blashill said the Red Wings aren’t done shaping up their roster before this fall’s training camp starts.
But he said they’re going to be careful.
“We’d like to try to continue to get better if we can,” he said. “(GM Ken Holland) would like to, and I’d like to, but just making a move doesn’t make you better, and there are very few out there that can make you better.
“I think you have to be careful to make sure if you make a move, it actually helps.”
The Wings used that mindset when free agency started.
“Just like on July 1, you have to make sure you a move that actually helps you,” Blashill said. “That’s all part of the evaluation process, and we’ll see where everything stands in October.”
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