The Detroit Red Wings shook up their coaching staff today in a stunning mid-season move, firing head coach Derek Lalonde after a lackluster 13-17-4 start to the 2024-25 campaign. Wings GM Steve Yzerman acted swiftly to bring in veteran coach Todd McLellan as Lalonde’s replacement on a multi-year deal, hoping to salvage their once-promising season.
Lalonde, who was nearly midway through his third year behind the Detroit bench, previously won two Stanley Cups as an assistant in Tampa Bay but couldn’t replicate that success with the rebuilding Red Wings. The team currently sits second last in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the struggling Buffalo Sabres.
This was a difficult decision but one that had to be made to get our team on the right track. I wish Derek all the best.
– Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman
McLellan Takes Over Behind the Bench
Todd McLellan brings a wealth of NHL head coaching experience to his new role in Detroit, having previously led the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings. He has a career 566-450-119 record over 15 seasons as an NHL bench boss.
As part of the shakeup, the Red Wings also let go assistant coach Bob Boughner, replacing him with Trent Yawney on McLellan’s staff. The new-look coaching group will be tasked with quickly turning around Detroit’s sputtering season.
A Challenging Road Ahead
McLellan faces a tall order in trying to get the Red Wings back into playoff contention. The team has lost 9 of their last 12 games and rank near the bottom of the league in many key statistical categories:
- Goals Scored Per Game: 29th (2.41)
- Goals Allowed Per Game: 28th (3.60)
- Power Play Percentage: 26th (16.7%)
- Penalty Kill Percentage: 21st (79.4%)
There is still ample talent on the roster, led by captain Dylan Larkin, sophomore standout Lucas Raymond, and veteran goaltender Ville Husso. But the team has struggled to put together consistent efforts this year, leading to Lalonde’s dismissal.
I’m excited about the opportunity to coach the Red Wings and will do everything in my power to get this group playing up to their potential again. There’s still a lot of season left.
– New Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Todd McLellan
Red Wings at a Crossroads
The Red Wings now find themselves at a pivotal juncture, just three years removed from ending their playoff drought in 2022. GM Yzerman’s rebuild appeared to be ahead of schedule, but the team has taken a step back so far in 2024-25.
Still, with young foundational pieces like Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, and Sebastian Cossa in the system, there is reason for long-term optimism in Hockeytown. The question is whether McLellan can accelerate that timeline and salvage a playoff berth this spring.
In the ultracompetitive Eastern Conference, the margin for error is slim. But a coaching change is often the jumpstart an underperforming team needs. The Red Wings and their fans will be hoping Todd McLellan is the right choice to steer their ship back on course before it’s too late.
