The Detroit Red Wings have shaken things up behind the bench, firing head coach Derek Lalonde and bringing in experienced NHL coach Todd McLellan to right the ship.
It’s been a tough season for the Wings. After showing promise last year with a solid 41-32-9 record that just missed the playoffs, they’ve fallen flat in 2023-24.
The team’s sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, and their offense has been ice cold – scoring just 2.54 goals per game, which ranks 29th in the NHL.
That’s not what the Red Wings had in mind when they hired Lalonde back in 2022 to help finish their rebuild.
Steve Yzerman, the team’s GM, decided enough was enough. Along with Lalonde, assistant coach Bob Boughner is also out. Trent Yawney will join McLellan’s staff as an assistant.
McLellan brings some serious coaching chops to Detroit. He’s been around the NHL block a few times – this will actually be his fourth head coaching job.
His track record is pretty impressive. During his time with the San Jose Sharks (2008-2015), he led them to six playoff appearances and racked up a 311-163-66 record.
More recently, McLellan showed he knows how to handle a rebuild. He took the Los Angeles Kings from struggling to playoff contenders, getting them to the postseason in both 2022 and 2023. The Kings let him go this February when the team hit a rough patch.
Overall, McLellan’s career numbers look solid: 598 wins, 412 losses, and 134 overtime/shootout losses.
His first big challenge in Detroit? Getting more production from their veteran forwards. Big names like Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Andrew Copp have only managed 16 goals between them – nowhere near enough if the Wings want to climb back into the playoff race.
The Red Wings are currently eight points out of a playoff spot, looking to end an eight-year postseason drought. They’ll need McLellan to work some magic – and fast – if they want to turn this season around.
