GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Jeff Blashill kept things as normal as possible during Wednesday morning's practice with the Grand Rapids Griffins -- even as the hockey world began to clamor about the next potential job for the 41-year-old.
With Mike Babcock leaving the Detroit Red Wings for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's widely assumed that the former Wings assistant will take over head coaching duties in Detroit. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland called the 2013 AHL champion coach "a leading candidate" for the position once he finishes the year with Grand Rapids.
The Griffins are currently waiting to begin the Western Conference Finals this weekend in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Blashill told FOX 17 Wednesday morning that he had not had any contact with the Red Wings regarding the position -- but Holland says the two have spoken since and the Wings GM plans to visit Grand Rapids shortly to discuss the opportunity.
AHL scoring champion Teemu Pulkkinen spoke about Blashill's potential future on Wednesday, calling him "the best coach I've ever had."
