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Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock offered some simple advice to defenseman Jakub Kindl if Kindl desires to maintain his place in the lineup on a regular basis – pick up the pace.
Other than starting Petr Mrazek in goal, Babcock will go with the same lineup in Friday’s game at New Jersey against the Devils that beat the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. But he intended to have a pre-game discussion with Kindl, who returned Wednesday after a four-game absence as a healthy scratch, about what changes he needs to make to avoid another stint in the press box.
“We talk about this every time,” Babcock said of Kindl. “I’m going to talk to him today. He has a skill set at the offensive blue line. He can shoot the puck, he can pass the puck, and he can see the plays.
“What gets him in trouble is what he does in his own zone. If he wants to be a regular and be every day and be an important player, you’ve got to be competitive defensively because you can’t outscore your mistakes in this league. That’s not the way we do it.
“We play defense fast so you’re always on offense. If you don’t play defense fast you’re always on defense so that’s where he gets himself in trouble.”
Chateau Bow-Wow
Kindl isn’t the only Wing who’s taken a turn in Babcock’s doghouse. Left-winger Tomas Tatar has felt the Detroit coach’s wrath, but Babcock insists it’s only because he believes Tatar is capable of doing so much more than he shows at times.
“Tats has just got to become a 200-footer,” Babcock said. “He’s got to learn to play and play without the puck all the time and he’s got to be competitive every night. If he does those things he’s going to score more.
“So that’s his biggest challenge, just to become a player. He wants to be a top-six forward. If you want to be a top-six forward you’ve got to play every night.”
While clearly uncomfortable discussing how tough Babcock is on him at times, Tatar is adamant that it doesn’t bother him.
“He is really hard on me, but I think he means this in a good way,” Tatar said. “He’s just trying to help me out since I got here. I appreciate it, but sometimes it’s really hard. That’s just the way he coaches me. I guess he doesn’t know any other way to work with me, so I appreciate it.
“He’s been a good coach and we’ve had success under him. It’s just the way how he is and I respect that.”
Mrazek Fan
Babcock likes the approach Mrazek has taken every time he’s been called up to the NHL - that it’s his net and he’s here to stay.
“No question, he’s a good goalie,” Babcock said. “He’s totally relaxed and he thinks he’s going to win.”
As pleased as he is with the play of No. 1 goalie Jimmy Howard, Babcock doesn’t want to wear him down.
“I don’t believe you can play your starter every game,” Babcock said. “I think the other guy has to play between 15 and 20 (games) in our league.
“So every once in a while you have to give the other guy an opportunity.”
Alfredsson Tribute
With both Daniel Alfredsson and Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melynk leaking news via social media of a Dec. 4 tribute to the former Senators captain in Ottawa, the Wings felt it was an appropriate move, considering Alfredsson played 17 of his 18 seasons with the Senators and just his final campaign as a Red Wing.
“Outstanding,” Babcock said. “I’m glad the way it’s kind of worked out. As much as we’d have loved to have in our lineup, for him to retire an Ottawa Senator is the right thing.
“He’s a great man, a great family guy, and a great citizen - obviously of Sweden, but of Ottawa and Canada as well. I’m thrilled to have got to know him. I wish it would have been longer.
“He’s such a smart, smart guy and fun to be around and he had such a great career.”
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