“But in terms of tonight’s hockey game, it is going to be the players on the Detroit Red Wings versus the players on the Toronto Maple Leafs”.
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Ouellet had two goals and one assist in 21 games for Detroit in 2014-15.
The Wings added two players through free agency – right-handed shooting defenseman Mike Green and two-time Stanley Cup-winning forward Brad Richards who will make an immediate impact on the lineup.
“I think when you step on the bench at the beginning of any season, at the beginning of any time you take a new job – anybody that’s taken a new job understands what that’s like”, Blashill said.
Not only is it the official start of the Jeff Blashill era as the team’s newest head coach, but they’re also taking on an original six rival when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
If there wasnt the push from the younger people there wouldnt be quite the buzz, Holland said. I’m no doctor but I think he needs to retire and enjoy the rest of his life. I’m excited to get going. Toronto may not come back home with two points, but this shouldn’t be considered an automatic loss against the Red Wings with their new bench boss on familiar grounds.
“I think as you move through the course of the season things come up and you have to work on different things”, Blashill said.
“I think there’s an excitement level to get this season going”.
The Wings, who will be without Pavel Datsyuk until mid-November following ankle surgery, are hoping that all this adds up to a 25th consecutive trip to the playoffs and a long run once theyre in. Its going to be tough.
In the last three seasons, Detroit has taken the eventual Stanley Cup champ (2012 and 2013 Chicago Blackhawks) to a seven-game series and previous year bowed out in seven games in the first round to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who lost in the Stanley Cup Finals. Jonathan Bernier allowed a goal on the first shot he faced Wednesday but was solid thereafter and is expected to start Friday while backup James Reimer goes against Ottawa on Saturday. “I was happy with the known”. “I wish him well except the nights when they play the Leafs”.
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Blashill was the only person Holland interviewed to fill the vacancy left by Babcock, who had coached the Wings the last 10 seasons. I think that’s probably true in most of the cities in the National Hockey League.
