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There will be no surprise announcement regarding Mike Babcock's replacement as Detroit Red Wings coach. Neither will there be an announcement of any kind regarding the Wings' vacancy until their AHL Grand Rapids affiliate completes its playoff run. As the Red Wings prepare for a new era under a new coach, Jeff Blashill says he wants the job. Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) Which likely means Jeff Blashill is likely the man who will succeed Babcock. MORE: | | Blashill's team is facing Utica, the Vancouver Canucks' top Jackson Rutledge Jersey affiliate, in the Calder Cup playoffs. Game 5 in the best-of-7 series is Sunday, with both teams having won twice. Babcock left the Wings after 10 seasons, all of which his teams finished in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They won the NHL title in 2008 but lost in '09. His new job: coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Catch on with Matt Dery at 1:30 p.m. today. GrandRapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) Blashill, a former Babcock a sistant, met with Wings GM Ken Holland during the week. He is in his third season with the AHL team and has been grooming to become Babcock's po sible replacement. "I owe it to our players to make sure my sole focus is on trying to win this series," Blashill said on Wednesday. Blashill tried to cap talk about the Wings job at that time, but while he won't addre s the obvious others have. Jeff Blashill wants to be ' next coach. The Detroit News (@detroitnews) Jim Hettinger of the Battle Creek (Mich.) Enquirer, in an article that labeled Blashill as Babcock's natural succe sor. Ed Olczyk, a former NHL player and current NBC analyst, told the that Blashill impre sed him when they coached a U.S. national team in 2006. "He's direct and to the point and when you talk to young players that have played for him at young levels, not pros, that's what sticks out," Olczyk said. "I saw that when we worked together. I knew someday he'd get the opportunity because the pa sion is there." While Blashill focuses on an AHL championship, the Wings have not pursued other options. The only surprise, it seems, would be a Wings decision not to hire Blashill. Seth Romero Jersey |
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