Detroit — He collected picks and pieces, and at the end of another losing season, there were signs of development from young players. Essentially, that’s the only formula that matters for the Red Wings right now, and that’s why Ken Holland is back as GM, and why coach Jeff Blashill is expected back, too.
Skepticism is warranted when you retain the leaders of a group that finished 27th in a 31-team league and missed the playoffs for the second straight season. But when the Wings finally, fully committed to a rebuild, they committed to an unpleasant reality.