The Daily: Lightning Readied Blashill for ‘Hawks; Comtois Update

Coaches often say they never stop learning in their profession. Jeff Blashill, for example, says he needed all three years of the education he received in Tampa Bay to be ready to coach the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I had a chance to see a team that had just won two Stanley Cups and went to a third Final, and what a championship team looks like, how they play, how they practice, and what their approaches are,” he said. “All those experiences mean that on day one of training camp, I can stand in front of our group and know exactly what it’s going to take for us to get to the top. Not guess, not hope, but know.”

Blashill’s thoughts about his readiness for the Chicago opportunity appeared in a story by Chicago Hockey Now’s Greg Boysen.

Blashill said if the Blackhawks job had come along after only one year working for the Lightning he’s not sure he would be as ready as he is now. He served as an assistant to his close friend, Jon Cooper.

“I’ve had a long time down there to see the inner workings,” Blashill said. ” Certainly, Coop is considered one of the best coaches in the NHL. And then you get a chance to work with elite players. Every elite player I’ve worked with is unique. You get to learn from coaching a Nikita Kucherov, a Steven Stamkos, a Victor Hedman, and an Andrei Vasilevskiy. They all take different approaches. The key is learning to connect with them, so that you’re working towards the same goal.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Czech Extraliga forward Eduards Tralmaks is hoping to prove himself at Red Wings training camp. If he can make the roster, he can add secondary scoring and size.

Former Red Wings prospect Albin Grewe insists he is not a “psychopath,” even though he sometimes plays like one in Sweden. Red Wings should be thankful he didn’t measure up as a prospect. He’s been in and out of trouble for his play on the ice.

Detroit Finnish prospect Eemil Viro, probably realizing he was not a top candidate to make the NHL, has signed with Malmo in Sweden. He played for Grand Rapids last season.

The greatest smile and sunshine personality, you will be missed Vi! ☀️🫶 pic.twitter.com/S5vIC1JOGL

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 28, 2025

Red Wings Extra

Former Red Wings forward David Booth (2017-18) has signed with the Melbourne Ice of the Australian League. They play their hockey season in our summer months because that’s winter in Australia. Booth, a former Michigan State player, also played for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. Booth is 40… The Russian media is reporting now that the Boston Bruins are the favorite now to sign Maxime Comtois who played last season in the NHL. He had previously been linked to the Red Wings.

 Hockey Now Network

Boston: Bruins have narrowed their coaching list to three, and BHN looks at the finalists. Boston Bruins. 

Florida: Panthers was not interested in holding the Eastern Conference trophy. Their objective is hoisting the Stanley Cup. Again. Florida Panthers. 

Montreal: Jonathan Marchessault is open to leaving Nashville.The Habs seem like a logical destination. Montreal Canadiens. 

New Jersey: James Nichols explains why a reunion between the New Jersey Devils and Kyle Palmieri makes perfect sense. New Jersey Devils. 

Philadelphia: William James writes that the Flyers need to do whatever it takes to acquire the No. 2 draft pick from the San Jose Sharks. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Why the Penguins really have to qualify for the playoffs next season. Pittsburgh Penguins.