I am trying to say that since Dave Lewis was hired I don't recall Redwings mouthing off about their preferences in a coach or blaming the coach for their inability to do their job.
I find it laughable that so many here believe that somehow it was Babcock's fault that Jurco only managed to score 3 goals in 63 games. Most Redwing players would say they just want to help their team and will work hard to improve and execute whatever role the coach gives them. He didn't do that. He blamed Babcock and claimed it would be different under Blashill. Why?
In what universe does Jurco deserve scoring line minutes? How can he be so sure that Blashill will use him in the role he thinks he deserves? If he has already played for Blashill why does he believe it is okay to speak publicly about what traditionally are and should be, in house things?
Why would you want to defend Jurco? I say if he is a real player he should shut up and score some goals or shut up and play D. Just shut up. If your name isn't Zetterberg, Datsyuk, or Kronwall, your opinion doesn't matter. We probably have 10 kids in the organization that can come up and score 3 goals in 63 games. Dan ****ing Cleary can come in and score 3 goals in 63 games.
"Under Blashill perhaps it will change. He knows me well and knows exactly when I'm most useful to the team". Are you kidding me? When exactly is almost zero production most useful to the team? Shut up and do your job.
Two or three years ago the summer was overrun with stories initially leaked by TSN that the players hated Babcock, paramount in that story was his leadership group had grown tired of him. There was no denial by the way.
Franzen went home after the Nashville series to play in the World Championships and immediately uncorked how nice it was to be having fun while playing hockey.
Those have bubbled up and it is about 50/50 in terms of feedback on him by players that leave. It also circulated quickly without any denial and continued publication that Filppula left as a direct result of Mike Babcock.
Believe what you want but there have been plenty of grumbles over the years. Clear back to Yzerman and Shanahan detesting him when he took over the team. Now most will point to their willingness to work with him since, but still there are a number of players that cannot stand Babcock and plenty of reports on it.
Jurco needs to play better, but him being excited to get a coach he thinks understands his game and communicates with him better isn't out of turn either. He thinks it will help as do a lot of people.
Most alarming is the news his back is still a big problem. That was a development I was not hoping to hear at all.
I don't care that he likes Blashill more, virtually everyone in a winged-Wheel will, including almost all of the front office save Holland if you believe a lot of the reports in May that were swirling.
Outside of the back-half being ruined by injury I think what he is driving at was he went on that nice scoring stretch in terms of assists in November and early December and got nothing in terms of ice-time. He was given some chances up the lineup and they didn't pan out, but I do think he was the victim at times of Babcock's curious line selection. Like the aforementioned time where he was hot and saw little reward. He needs to understand that is part of being a professional but it can be head scratching and he is a guy that has watched Blashill play the hot hand a lot and is hoping if he gets hot he will be rewarded.
Also when he was struggling to open his AHL career, Blashill spent a lot of time getting him out of that building his confidence. I think Jurco thinks he will do the same thing for him after a very tough year last year. That this is a guy that found ways to make me very effective and he is looking forward to that. Ultimately for him Babcock didn't do that he needs to own his part, but there is nothing wrong with optimism about somebody you really trust taking a big role in your life again in anything. However, if the same failures exist then at that point you're SOL and need to look in the mirror. Assuming he is somewhat healthy that is just how Jurco will be evaluated this year even as young as he is.
