Jeff Blashill listed in the “danger zone” of NHL coaching job safety

Is Jeff Blashill on the verge of a pink slip from Steve Yzerman?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 2 years ago
Jeff Blashill listed in the “danger zone” of NHL coaching job safety
WingsNation

Despite having led the Detroit Red Wings to one single playoff appearance in his six seasons behind the bench, head coach Jeff Blashill was given an extension by GM Steve Yzerman doing the offseason. 

Yzerman explained after the decision was announced as to why he extended Blashill, saying that he likes how the team plays under his leadership. 

“I feel our team is collectively very competitive,” Yzerman said. “Whether we play well or not every night is different, but we play hard. Our players play hard and I think that’s a reflection of the coaching staff, that they have the respect of the players.”

For Yzerman, the focus right now is the continued development of the young players on the roster, which was one of the key assets of Blashill upon his hiring in 2015 as the former coach of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. 

"Jeff has really worked with me with transitioning our young players into the lineup, being patient with them,” Yzerman said. “Not handing them positions or ice time, really forcing them to earn it and guiding them along.”

However, could he soon be on the verge of a pink slip should Detroit once again finish on the outside looking in? According to one NBC writer, he could be. Adam Gretz put together a list of what he feels is the job security level of each NHL coach, and Blashill finds himself in the category aptly named "the danger zone".

Take a look:

29. Jeff Blashill, Detroit Red Wings. "Like (D.J.) Smith it is impossible to accurately evaluate Blashill because of the rosters he has had to work with. Still, in six years the Red Wings have one playoff appearance with him and have missed the playoffs five years in a row and almost certainly going on six years. Not many coaches get to keep coaching a team that long."

Do you agree with his assessment? 

Source: NBC Sports