The Detroit Red Wings might be on the verge of a major shake-up behind the bench, but money could be getting in the way.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski reports that GM Steve Yzerman is seriously considering moving on from head coach Derek Lalonde after the team’s brutal 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues heading into the holiday break.
But there’s a catch.
Team owner Chris Ilitch isn’t too excited about paying two head coaches at once. The cost of buying out Lalonde’s contract and bringing in an experienced replacement is making him think twice.
The timing couldn’t be more critical for Detroit. They’re stuck in seventh place in the Atlantic Division, 34 games into what’s becoming a disappointing season.
The numbers aren’t pretty. The Wings are eight points out of a wild-card spot, and even a new coach might not be enough to turn things around at this point.
It’s not the first time we’ve heard whispers about Lalonde’s job security. These rumors have been floating around all season, but the recent losing streak has turned up the heat.
The big question isn’t just about making a coaching change – it’s about what comes next. Would a new coach be expected to somehow salvage this season and make a playoff push? Or is this more about finding the right person to lead the team into next year and beyond?
Red Wings fans are watching closely. They’ve seen Yzerman make bold moves before as GM, but this decision could be one of his biggest yet.
For now, everyone’s waiting to see if Yzerman can convince ownership to open up the checkbook and make a change. The holiday break might give him the perfect opportunity to make his case.
