If this is Jared Coreau’s audition to show he’s ready to be Jimmy Howard’s back up next season with the Detroit Red Wings, it’s not going well. In fact, you could say that he’s failing the test in the eyes that matter most. “Not good enough,… was Detroit coach Jeff Blashill’s assessment to Detroitredwings.com of Coreau’s performance against the Montreal Canadiens in Monday’s 4-2 loss. “He’s got to be better than that, that’s just the reality of it. In this league in order to win, you probably need to have at least a 91 save percentage on a consistent basis in order to win. You probably need to have higher to win on a higher level than that, so he’s got to be better.… A former goaltender himself, Blashill made it clear that he wasn’t singling Coreau out as being the one to blame for the results when he’s been in net, though the numbers next to his name on the stats sheet - 0-4-0 in five starts, a 4.40 goals-against average and .859 save percentage - are alarming. “I’m not putting it on him,… Blashill said. “This is a team thing. But I also would say I’ve talked to our team about guys have to step up and make plays. That’s the goaltenders, too. You’ve got to step up and make tons of saves here. That’s what all the teams that win the league do.…
For a big goalie (6-6, 220 pounds) Coreau doesn't display that he's fgured out how to use his body to fill the net. He moves and flails around far too much in net instead of utilizing quiet movements, and because of it, often takes himself out of position. The Wings aren’t ready yet to close the book on Coreau, who will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, but he’s running out of chances to turn heads. “I just think he’s got to get his confidence back and he’s probably not feeling the puck great right now,… Blashill said. “The puck was bouncing off him (in Montreal). But at the end of the night, it’s a results-oriented position. You’ve got to get results.… Hicketts Recalled The Wings moved to beef up their defense, recalling Joe Hicketts from AHL Grand Rapids after the conclusion of Monday’s loss at Montreal. Hicketts was briefly recalled earlier this season, going pointless and plus-one in 15:13 of ice at New Jersey against the Devils. At the time, after returning Hicketts to the minors to make room on the roster for forward Luke Glendening to be activated from injured reserve, Blashill indicated it would not be the last time that Hicketts would be seen in Detroit this season. “I thought he played very well and I like Joe Hicketts a lot,… Blashill said. “I think he’s a real good, young player. I thought he gave us what we needed, came in and gave us a little jam.… Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer