The Detroit Red Wings have officially parted ways with head coach Derek Lalonde, appointing Todd McLellan as his successor in a significant shakeup by general manager Steve Yzerman. This decision comes at a particularly challenging time, with the team struggling during what has been another disappointing season in the renowned “Hockeytown,” just over a third of the way into the campaign.
This change follows a tough Christmas period for the Red Wings, who are currently on a three-game losing streak and have dropped nine of their last twelve games. With a record of just 21 losses out of 34 matches, they find themselves positioned just above the last-place Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference standings.
Lalonde’s tenure with Detroit spanned nearly three seasons; he had previously celebrated back-to-back Stanley Cup victories as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Yzerman, who took over as general manager in 2019, initially worked with head coach Jeff Blashill, before hiring Lalonde in the summer of 2022 with the aim of reviving the team’s playoff prospects.
The Red Wings, despite bringing in three-time Stanley Cup winner Patrick Kane in 2023 and opting to re-sign him last offseason, have not managed to rediscover the success of their past glory days. The team experienced massive achievements between 1996-97 and 2007-08, showcasing their dominance by clinching the Cup four times, a span that included Yzerman’s leadership both as a player and later in the front office. Consequently, the franchise is on track to face a ninth consecutive year without playoff appearances, trailing only Buffalo for the longest drought in the league.
In addition to Lalonde’s dismissal, associate coach Bob Boughner was also let go, while Trent Yawney has been brought on board as an assistant to McLellan. The new coach has signed a multiyear contract, marking his fourth head coaching role in the NHL after previous positions with the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings.
McLellan, 57, has successfully guided teams to the playoffs in nine of his 14 full seasons as a head coach. His connection to Detroit dates back to his first job in the NHL, having served as an assistant coach with the Red Wings in 2005 under Mike Babcock during the team’s 2008 championship season.
Most recently, McLellan endured a mid-season firing from the Kings in February and has since been on the lookout for other coaching opportunities. This marks the fourth coaching change within the NHL this season and the 15th overall during this calendar year, a list that includes Jim Montgomery’s dismissal from the Boston Bruins last November and the Chicago Blackhawks’ recent change from Luke Richardson to Anders Sorensen early in December.
