Jeff Blashill boldy declares Red Wings can be NHL's best in this category

The Detroit Red Wings and GM Steve Yzerman has made the call this offseason to officially extend head coach Jeff Blashill's contract , which expired at the conclusion of the 2020-21 NHL campaign.

As Yzerman explained after the deal was completed, the focus right now is the continued development of the young players on the roster, which was one of the key assets of Blashill upon his hiring in 2015 as the former coach of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Of course, he also pointed out that he felt it wouldn't be fair to judge Blashill's performance as a head coach thanks to the lack of talent on the roster with which he had to work. 

And as the team continues to be reworked in Yzerman's image after being hamstrung by several poor deals signed by former GM Ken Holland, Blashill believes that the team is trending in the right direction.

 Tonight, they begin their 95th season in franchise history, and they'll be taking on the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that's had their number for the last several seasons now. Prior to tonight's game, Blashill laid out what he believes is the receipt for for his team's success this year, and even went so far to say that he thinks they can be the NHL's best at it. 

"Well, I know what we need to be, to be successful, I'll start there," Blashill explained. "We going to have to check right - we have to be a really good defensive team. We can be the best checking team in the League. I don't know if we can be the highest scoring team in the League, but I know we can be the best checking team in the League."

"How do you do that? Well, number one, you start with a good D core. I think our D core is deeper than it's ever been since I've been here. I think we have a good chance to have as good a top four or top six since I've been here. Now, I say a chance because some of the guys have to perform, and they're young. But, I think we can start with the fact that I believe we're going to have a really good D core. That helps your goaltending and forwards." 

Tonight's game at Little Caesars Arena is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM EST.