Ken Holland: Detroit Red Wings to extend Jeff Blashill's deal

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland all but stated coach Jeff Blashill will be extended.

The subject came up Monday afternoon as Holland spoke after the trade deadline had passed. Blashill is in the fourth and final year of his contract, and while the Wings are going to miss the playoffs for a third straight season, the organization likes how hard the team plays under Blashill, how the team is in most games, and the growth shown by young players such as Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Bertuzzi.

A contract extension had been expected, and Holland essentially confirmed that will happen.

“I think he’s done a great job,” Holland said. “You look at the standings and it’s hard to think anybody has done a great job when you see where we are in the standings. But he’s playing our young players. Lots of the young players have improved under his watch. When I see our team go out on the power play late in a game, there’s lots of young players. The young players have grown under his watch. 

“I’m big on experience. This is his fourth year in the NHL and there’s no doubt he’s a better coach today than he was four years ago just by the experience of getting to know the NHL and the types of players it takes to play in this league. I think he’s done a real good job.”

Holland plans to meet with Blashill, 45, before the end of the season. Holland, 63, has one year left on his own deal, and said he isn’t concerned about his own status even as Steve Yzerman is expected to be available this summer when his contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning expires. 

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“I’m in a good place with my career, with my life,” Holland said. “I’ve been here since 1983 and all I’m concerned about is making moves – I want this franchise to win another Stanley Cup, or to compete to be banging way. And I think things we have done last year, things that we’ve done this year, are going to be pieces of that puzzle.

“I’m not worried about my future. My wife’s not worried about my future. I’m in a good place no matter what happens.”

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.