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Red Wings coach gushes about Green’s ‘elite offensive skill’

Mike Green

Mike Green

AP

If Mike Green fits in well, then the Detroit Red Wings found the right-handed defenseman they’ve been seeking for years.

It’s way, way too early to know for sure if that free agent acquisition will do the trick. New Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill wasn’t shy about praising Green’s offensive skills, as MLive.com notes.

“He’s got elite skill,” Blashill said. “It’s one thing to be an offensive defenseman and have good offensive skill, he’s got elite offensive skill. The right shot has been talked about lots over the years. I think more importantly than the right shot is the skill set he brings. It’s going to be fun to watch.”

Green is primed to pair up with Danny DeKeyser, and that’s about where you need to put on your “take this with a grain of salt” filter for off-season storylines.

After all, Blashill calls DeKeyser elite in that same story, so maybe he throws that word around a bit loosely?

(Either that, or the Red Wings could be headed for a nice jump in 2015-16 ...)

Semantics aside, Green seems like he could fit in well if the right things fall into place.

Granted, it’s a shame that the hockey world won’t get to see the best of what Detroit has to offer on the power play right out of the gate, at least if Pavel Datsyuk misses a chunk of the regular season as expected.

Note: Green made his pre-season debut for the Red Wings last night, generating a +1 rating, taking a minor penalty and wearing No. 52.