from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

So while much of the NHL will be preparing to return following the coronavirus pause that began on March 12, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman will gradually chip away at his off-season checklist before the anticipated start of the 2020-21 season in late November or early December.

Decide whether to retain coach Jeff Blashill

One of Yzerman’s first decisions is whether to exercise the team’s option on Blashill’s contract for next season or hire another coach.

Yzerman has stated support for Blashill on multiple occasions despite the team’s record (the Red Wings finished 17-49-5) and the club having missed the playoffs four years in a row. He has indicated Blashill’s performance would not be judged on the team’s record as much as by player development.

If a change is made, a couple of Yzerman’s former teammates would be among the candidates to take over – Gerard Gallant and Lane Lambert. Gallant was fired in January by the Vegas Golden Knights. Lambert, an assistant coach with the New York Islanders, has never been a head coach in the NHL.

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