Detroit Red Wings Snag Blackhawks' Top Coaching Candidate: Replace Derek Lalonde
Former Chicago Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane will have new leadership behind the bench, as Steve Yzerman has hired Todd McLellan as the new bench boss.
The Detroit Red Wings sit 7th in the Atlantic Division, with a 13-17-4 record, something Steve Yzerman couldn't stand by as GM of the Red Wings.
He's utilized his draft capital to deliver the best team on the ice possible, including signing veterans like Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat to improve the lineup. Yet former Head Coach Derek Lalonde had been delivering subpar results in 2 and a quarter season with the Wings.
He had enough, so today the team made an announcement they have hired former Los Angeles Kings Coach, Todd McLellan.
McLellan has seen regular trips to the playoffs with every team he's coached with. The coach has overseen 1,144 games in the NHL, with a record of 598-412-134 record and a.477 winning percentage.
McLellan spent several years coaching the San Jose Sharks, while he spent five years with the Los Angeles Kings and his shortest tenure(four years) in Edmonton.
This is also a sort of homecoming for McLellan, who originally served as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings from 2005 to 2008.
Lalonde was unable to turn the Red Wings into an unstoppable tank, which was surprising considering he came from the same Tampa Bay team that Jon Cooper led to consecutive Stanley Cups.
Is it another case of leading a horse to water, but they have to decide whether or not to take a drink?
Lalonde failed to learn from the wisdom of Jon Cooper it seems. And now, he's out of a job.
Derek Lalonde has coached the Red Wings for 198 games, with an 89-86-23 record and a .508 winning percentage.
Can McLellan be the one to unlock Patrick Kane in the lineup and give him a chance to unleash Showtime on the NHL once again?
