Mathias Brome is going through a difficult transition for the NHL.
The Sweden striker has not scored points in 13 games for the Detroit Red Wings. On Thursday, his inability to clear the area led to the winning goal with a minute of play in the 3-2 loss in Nashville.
But coach Jeff Blashill remains optimistic about what the 26-year-old undisclosed free agent can bring.
“I like Mathias, he tries to do it right,” said Blashill.
“The NHL is difficult. It is difficult to produce an offensive, it is difficult when you are not big or super fast. But I think he had chances, and with chances I think he will end up scoring. My understanding is that he started the Swedish Hockey League in a similar way (form), where he was a series of games without scoring, and suddenly he blew up a lot. We hope he starts to gain that trust. But I like him, he tries to do the right things and plays hard. “
Brome’s inability to remove the disc was not a lapse in judgment.
“That record got stuck in the yellow (base along the plates) a little when I looked at it again,” said Blashill. “I’m not sure if it hit the snow or what. It was a little unfortunate. Certainly, you have to make a move on that disc, but he is not a careless player. “
The Red Wings (3-10-2) play in Nashville (6-8-0) again on Saturday (8pm, Fox Sports Detroit).
Rasmussen, Cholowski needs time
Blashill explained why young players like Michael Rasmussen and Dennis Cholowski are playing in Grand Rapids instead of gaining more NHL experience with the Red Wings.
In the case of Rasmussen, the club wants him to feel more comfortable as a closed center at AHL.
“We feel that he can become a center capable of isolating the best players from the other team, similar to what Jordan Staal does – it’s hard to ask – but if he can become that kind of model, that’s a great asset,” Blashill said . “He hasn’t made it to the NHL yet. The NHL is not a place to learn. It is much better to learn in the American League.
“Ultimately, you have to show that you are making us better. It is not good enough to show, ‘I can come and play and help us lose.’ That is not what we are looking for. We want our young players to grow to a level where they enter and help us win. When he is ready to do this, he will show it. “
Cholowski is not good enough defensively to replace one of the Red Wings’ top six defenders.
The Red Wings want both to be dominant in the AHL.
“At some point, they have to turn the potential into reality,” said Blashill. “At some point you have to show what you have, because at some point you stop talking about potential and start saying, ‘What are you doing for me today? Both have to be big players in the American League before we can really hope that they will help us win here. “
Givani Smith gave positive signs with his physicality, foresight and offensive contribution (four points from eight games), but Blashill said it has not yet been determined whether he is ready for the NHL full time.
“I think he has the potential to be physical, tough on the net,” said Blashill. “He just needs to keep working on his wall game and managing the record. He has to be a super simple, efficient player, put the discs behind people, reach his linemates and go to the front of the net. This is what will make you successful. He needs to find ways to be extremely reliable. “
Injury updates
Blashill said that Darren Helm (upper body injury) will not play on Saturday and is likely to be on a daily basis. Luke Glendening (upper body) trained on Friday, but his status in the game is uncertain.
Danny DeKeyser and Valtteri Filppula are healthy enough to play. Filppula, who has a point (a goal) in 11 games, has been struck in the last four games. DeKeyser sat five games; Blashill described it as playing on one leg due to back surgery a year ago.
“Danny is available to play. Right now, it’s the coach’s decision, ”said Blashill. “But it’s not like we have a 100 percent Danny DeKeyser. He’s recovering from the surgery. “