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The Blue Wings are planning to extend coach Jeff Blashill, said general manager Ken Holland. Filmed February 25, 2019 in Detroit.
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland said his coach, Jeff Blashill, would be extended.

The subject was addressed Monday afternoon as Holland spoke after the trading deadline. Blashill is in the fourth and final year of his contract and, although the Wings will miss the playoffs for a third season in a row, the organization appreciates the hard work of the team under Blashill, the way the team plays in most games and growth. shown by young players such as Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Bertuzzi.

A contract extension was expected, and Holland essentially confirmed that this would happen.

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill told goaltender Jimmy Howard (not pictured) to return to the net in the Wings 2-1 defeat on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, at the Little Caesars Arena. (Photo11: Jose Juarez, AP)

"I think he's done a good job," Holland said. "You look at the rankings and it's hard to believe that anyone has done a great job when you see where we stand in the rankings. But he plays our young players. Many young players have improved under his supervision. When I see our team go into the power play late in a game, there are a lot of young players. The young players grew up under his supervision.

"I am very experienced. It's his fourth year in the NHL and he's probably a better coach today than he was four years ago, just by the experience of knowing the NHL and the kind of players it takes to play in this game. league. I think he did a very good job. "

Holland plans to meet Blashill, 45, before the end of the season. Holland, 63, still has one year of contract and does not care about his status even though Steve Yzerman is expected to be available this summer when his contract with Tampa Bay Lightning expires.

More: What Wings will do after the trading of Gustav Nyquist

"I'm in a good position with my career, with my life," said Holland. "I've been here since 1983 and all I'm concerned about is moving. I want this franchise to win another Stanley Cup or to fight to be beautiful. And I think the things we did last year, which we did this year, are going to be pieces of this puzzle.

"I'm not worried about my future. My wife is not worried about my future. I'm in a good place, no matter what happens. "

Contact Helene St. James at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Learn more about the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.