Kevin’s Morning Hash: Defending Blash, a juicy rumor and disappointment in Denver

We  know many of you weren’t excited about general  manager Steve Yzerman’s decision to retain Jeff Blashill as the Detroit Red Wings’ coach.

We know your issues. Player development. Lineup choices. Game decisions.

But was Anthony Mantha’s lack of progress truly on Blashill? The goal-scoring drought he experienced in Washington would suggest ‘no.  And don’t you think that Blashill discusses his lineup decisions with Yzerman? Of course he does. One of the reasons why Yzerman likes Blashill is because they are on the same page about personnel and development.  If you are dissing the lineup changes, you are probably dissing Yzerman as much as Blashill. And we know you don’t want to diss Yzerman

Yzerman has indicated he likes how the younger players are developing. He said more than once that he is around the team often and likes how Blashill operates.

Bob Duff’s story yesterday gives a historical perspective of where Blashill fits in Red Wings lore.

Rumor of the Day

Rumor of the Day:  Seth Jones to Colorado for a package that includes center Nazem Kadri.

Our guess would be that any deal would include either defenseman Devon Toews or Sam Girard, plus draft picks. Columbus would like the fact Toews and Girard are both tied up contractually with years.

Around the NHL

NHL Central Scouting guru Dan Marr says Owen Power is unanimous as the No. 1 pick and thinks two goalies are definitely going  to land in the first  round.

Those facts are certainly of interest to the Red Wings and their fans. Steve Yzerman has indicated he’s not sure how the top of the first round will unfold. Maybe the Red Wings and our readers can find clues in Marr’s draft quotes.

• The Los Angeles Kings are looking for help in the trade market for their forward group.
• Those looking for Tuukka Rask to end up elsewhere are disappointed.  He is a Bruin in mind and hurting body. When he re-signs, he will miss the start of the season. Joe Haggerty of BostonHockeynow.com explained it all.
• Adrian Dater of ColHockeyNow.com does the clean up on aisle 3 for the Avalanche.

.