Rumor: NHL GM and head coach's jobs in jeopardy

The Detroit Red Wings have slowly but surely fallen from elite status in the NHL over the past several years, with their descent culminating in their first year being eliminated from playoff contention in ages. That was last season.

This season, they do not look like a team that will find their way back into the big show, with two consecutive humiliating losses to divisional rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. They fell 6-3 at home on Thursday night before being absolutely ripped to pieces on Saturday by a score of 10-1.

To say that they are in panic mode is an understatement.

General manager Ken Holland and Jeff Blashill are both in precarious situations. The first employee to be let loose in such a situation is typically the head coach, and that could happen. As it was leaked earlier this season, the Red Wings may have been caught taking preliminary steps with Dave Tippett to take over the head coaching position.

Ken Holland's situation is different - his contract expires at the end of this season, and ownership has not discussed an extension as of yet.

The Athletic's Katie Strang outlined the issue facing the Red Wings in regards to Holland.

"The Red Wings need to accept this hard truth and start playing the long game, shifting its priorities for the future," Strang began. "All fine and good when things are looking rosy in training camp to try to rebuild on the fly and remain competitive, but now the divergent path should be the clear option. Whether Holland is willing to embrace the rebuild and the plummet down the standings could be critical for his job security. He is in the last year of his contract, which is always an awkward proposition for front-office folk, but he needs to consider and prioritize the long-term health of the franchise."

In essence, if Holland isn't willing to commit to tearing things down and taking the proper long-term measures to turn this team into a consistent and legitimate contender, he may finally be shown the door after a long and successful tenure as Red Wings GM.