Notes: Blashill takes a wait-and-see approach on recent additions

DETROIT --As the Red Wings play their final 10 games of the season, they are steadfast in closing out the campaign by establishing a solid winning foundation for 2019-20
"We had a meeting this morning about things we weren't good enough in in the Islanders game. We got to keep getting better as individuals and keep getting better as a team. We want to be better than where we're at today," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said after Monday's practice at the BELFOR Training Center. "To do that, you have to get better. I thought in the Islanders game, we did some things offensively and created a good amount, probably enough to win a hockey game. (But) we gave up way too many chances, so we got to keep growing.

"We got to grow as individuals and grow as a hockey team. Some guys are (in) new spots, some guys are new to the team, some guys haven't had tons of opportunity. So now here's more opportunity. So, keep proving what you're about and as a team let's keep growing."
Within the last week, Detroit has signed three college players in free agents Ryan Kuffner (Princeton) and Taro Hirose (Michigan State) and Chase Pearson, the Red Wings' fifth-round pick, 140th overall, from the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, who attended Maine.

Kuffner made his NHL debut on Saturday versus the Islanders, seeing limited playing time. He was held pointless in 7:08 of ice time.
Hirose will make his NHL debut on Tuesday against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, playing on a line with Thomas Vanek and Frans Nielsen, the same pair Kuffner played with on Saturday.
"He has to be the player he is, that's the No. 1 thing when you come in, you have to be who you are, you have to use your attributes to the best of your ability," Blashill said. "The thing that is hardest for all these guys when they come in, they can't necessarily play totally on their instincts, they have to think a little bit, the systems are different, the linemates are different.
"So, we've tried to ease both guys into it enough. Hirose has had a couple of practices, not as many as we like, but it's a way to ease him into it and see how he does. At the end of the day, it still comes down to utilizing your assets to the best of your ability and showing and finding a way to make our team better and be a commodity on this hockey team."
Blashill has been noncommittal when he's asked about his expectation level for Kuffner and Hirose but told reporters Hirose's play reminds some people he's talked to of a former Red Wings player.
"It would be a (Gustav) Nyquist comparison, I've heard lots of in terms of guys people would know. Nyquist, where he's not super fast or super big but real crafty, real smart, has tricks of ways to get open to create space and scoring chances," Blashill said. "It'll be interesting to watch. Again, I wouldn't judge anybody on one game whether it's great or not great, let's just keep watching."
This will not be Hirose's first game at Madison Square Garden as two years ago, Michigan State played Minnesota at the Garden in a game where Hirose was injured.
"I think once we get there and see some of the fans, it'll be pretty special," Hirose said. "With Michigan State, we had one game there so sort of been around the rink and last time I was there, I got hurt in the first period and didn't play after that. So hopefully, fingers crossed, it doesn't happen again.
"It was like a minor shoulder thing. It was more precautionary than anything, I was back next weekend."
Despite getting hurt last time, Hirose is eager to play in the fabled arena again.
"You feel it (the aura) when you walk in and you step on the ice, sort of that atmosphere and I'm sure it's a lot different when there's a lot more fans there," Hirose said. "It's just something I'm really looking forward to and really excited about. I've just been trying to not put too much pressure on myself and not think about it. I'm sure when we get into New York tonight and tomorrow, the nerves will start coming in. But just trying not to think too much about it right now."
During Monday's practice, Hirose was also on the second power-play unit, playing the half-wall with Michael Rasmussen (net front), Tyler Bertuzzi (slot), Filip Hronek (point) and Nielsen (half-wall).
"From what I've seen from some of the other guys who were in that spot (half-wall) earlier, it's more of a shooter and I think a little different than what I'm used to, more of a guy that has the puck," Hirose said. "Just an easy adjustment to sort of get pucks through and keep it simple when I get it, I'm looking to shoot. I think that's sort of an easy thing to do to just try to get pucks on net."
Perhaps Hirose's biggest challenge will be to keep calm leading up to face-off. His parents and brother are expected to fly in for the game and he's trying to not let his emotions get the best of him.
"I'm sure I'll be pretty amped up tomorrow and ready to go," Hirose said. "Having those veterans (Vanek and Nielsen) on my line will sort of maybe keep me in the game and not too amped up. (It) will be really helpful.
"Just trying to get out there and not make many mistakes, chips pucks out and chip pucks in to keep it simple."
Unlike Hirose and Kuffner, Pearson's two-year entry-level contract, which he signed Monday, will begin next season.
Later this week, Pearson will sign an amateur tryout contract with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins and will join the Griffins sometime this week.

HOWARD ENJOYS PLAYING IN NYC:Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard is as competitive of a player you'll ever see, but when he plays the New York Rangers, especially at Madison Square Garden, he is in a different competitive zone.
"It's the biggest show on earth, Madison Square Garden, one of the best buildings," Howard said. "There's so much history there, not only with sporting events but with everything else that's gone through there. It's one of those stages that as a player, you just enjoy going to play on."
Whether it's Madison Square Garden, Joe Louis Arena or Little Caesars Arena, Howard is always dialed in against the Rangers.
His career record against them is 9-3-3 with a 1.75 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage.
"It's one of those games during the year that I thoroughly enjoy playing in," Howard said. "I think it's just because that's the team I grew up loving and Mike Richter, he was the goalie I idolized. So that probably has a lot to do with it."
Though the season has been disappointing, Howard sees benefits for the Red Wings to finish strong.
"It's good to build up that (winning) mentality," Howard said. "For us as players, it's about doing it the right way every single night. Even though we got the two points the other night, it was really probably Bernie (Jonathan Bernier) who stole it for us. But we got to continue to learn and do things the correct way out there.
"We're going up against some tough opponents in some tough buildings but just go out there and work hard and wear this jersey with pride."
If there has been one bright spot for the Wings this season, it is the goaltending of Howard and Bernier, which has kept Detroit in most of its games.
According to Howard, he and Bernier connected from the get-go and have forged a solid bond.
"We meshed as soon as we met each other up in training camp in Traverse City," Howard said. "We went and had a couple dinners together and really came together. The friendship has really bloomed here, plus I enjoy working with him.
"We push each other, obviously we can bounce things off of each other, which is always really nice."
INJURY UPDATE:Blashill indicated injured defensemen Trevor Daley (back) and Jonathan Ericsson (lower-body) will be on the Red Wings' long road trip, yet he couldn't provide a definitive timeline when he expects either player to return to the lineup.
Blashill said the Wings will not call up a defenseman from Grand Rapids on an emergency basis at this time.
"I would say right now, the six (on the roster) and let's see where Ericsson and Daley are at," Blashill said. "If we needed to fly somebody in, we could fly somebody in. Right now we'll go with the six."