We have to put the Kool-Aid away. Watch Veleno, Rasmussen, Zadina, with any kind of objective view and it's pretty clear - they are not very good. Skating, passing, possession skills all lacking in all three. The rest of the line-up are end of the liners like Staal, or other team's discards. Blash may be a good or bad coach, but he isn't the reason these guys can't beat anyone to a puck or make an accurate pass or play through a check or shoot the puck effectively. To be charitable they have so far built 1/4 of an NHL roster. A couple of years ago I thought the Red Wings would be the 1st team to turn around, but I don't think that anymore even with a GM as talented at Yzerman. Which is too bad because they are wasting time for Larks and Seider esp., who deserve better mates.