The Detroit Red Wings are making a change behind the bench. News emerged the day after Christmas that head coach Derek Lalonde has been fired by the club. Todd McLellan will take over on an interim basis. Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman will start a search for a permanent replacement.
Derek Lalonde Fired by Red Wings
Lalone took over for the 2022-23 season after a successful stint as an assistant for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He helped Lightning head coach Jon Cooper and the team win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Detroit finished seventh in the Atlantic Division that season with a 35-37-10 mark for 80 points.
The Red Wings just missed out on breaking their Stanley Cup Playoff drought with 41-32-9 record for 91 points. Detroit has missed the post-season every season since the 2015-16 campaign. However, the Red Wings were so close last season.
The team was supposed to take the next step and finally be in the mix for the playoffs. However, the Red Wings have stumbled out of the gate and Yzerman’s “Yzerplan” has taken another hit.
The Brasher Falls, NY native had also been a successful coach at the USHL level and led the Green Bay Gamblers to the Clark Cup championship in 2012. Lalonde also was ECHL Coach of the Year with the Toldeo Walleye in the 2014-15 season.
What It Means
Detroit now goes back to the drawing board and tries to salvage its season. The Red Wings are eight points out of a Wild Card spot and there’s still time to get back into the fight.
However, the Wings have been inconsistent this season and need to get back on track. The defence has struggled and goalie injuries have piled up this season.
Lalonde is still a valued assistant and his time with the Lightning should net him another job sooner rather than later.
Main photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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