In Red Wings Land

Ex-Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill’s Team USA implodes at Worlds, 8-4, to Czech Wings – Freep

The U.S., where Blashill is an assistant coach…

I get you want to be able to tie things to your fanbase but holy shit this article and its title is bad.  There’s no mention that Team USA’s head coach is David Quinn.

Helene could have just as easily written that article about Filip Hronek and Jakub Vrana winning bronze with Czechia, but apparently smearing the outgoing Blashill was more important.

Around the League

Spezza announces retirement from NHL and joins Maple Leafs front office – NHL

“I love hockey. Since the age of three, I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dream and do what I love for so many years,” said Spezza. “I eat, sleep, dream hockey and it’s always been there for me. There are too many people to thank individually but I’m forever grateful and indebted to the Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hockey Canada for their support and belief in me as a player and person. To my teammates, coaches, support staff, trainers and equipment staff – a heartful thank you for everything. Through countless hours at the rink – whether on the ice or with those behind the scenes – I have been so fortunate to have forged friendships for life.

Jason Spezza seems like one of the least-hateable people in hockey because he’s got even less personality than Jonathan Toews (and none of the “helping cover up the abuse of Kyle Beach” baggage), but he’s also a huge Maple Leafs fan and now wants to help them win so I don’t like him.