Source: Red Wings to name Blashill head coach

Jeff-Blashill

Jeff Blashill, pictured behind the bench for the Grand Rapids Griffins earlier this year, is now head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. (Joel Bissell/The Grand Rapids Press/AP)

The Detroit Red Wings will name Jeff Blashill as head coach on Tuesday, reports Greg Brady of Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

Blashill was previously head coach of the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins and will get a three-year deal with Detroit, with a team option for a fourth year, Brady reports. He replaces Mike Babcock, who recently joined the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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The 41-year-old Blashill, who was voted 2014 AHL Coach of the Year, also served as an assistant under Babcock during the 2011-12 NHL season, and is familiar with several pieces of Detroit’s core group of players.

Blashill has shown interest in adding former NHLer Mike Knuble to his coaching staff with the Red Wings, according to Brady. Knuble served as an assistant under Blashill last season with the Griffins.

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