What do you think should happen with Derek Lalonde?

[Run the Jewels]

Lalonde is in the final year of his contract, and while the team has shown improvement each year it is currently 13th in the conference and is pacing for 77 points, a big step back from last season's 91 points. Do you think Lalonde can get it done, or are you ready to move on?

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[norrisnick]

Title and poll are two very different questions.

What should and what will likely happen are not necessarily aligned.

 

[GarlicbreadTB]

If things get bad he might get sacked during the season. But I expect he'll see out this remaining season, won't get a new contract and we'll have a new manager installed ahead of next season.

I would however like to see a change very soon if it was up to me.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Title and poll are two very different questions.

What should and what will likely happen are not necessarily aligned.

Thanks. Fixed.

 

[SirKillalot]

I expected this season to be a little below last season as the team started very well last year and don't have that let's call it element of surprise this year.

I'd say keep him, its a development year. Should be better as the season comes along.
He will win a cup in the future.

 

[PullHard]

I was patient at the end of Blashill’s time because the team was still really, really bad on paper. Currently the roster is flawed but I think there is more juice to squeeze out of this group, they look unorganized and rarely prepared to play. I would like a new coach asap.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I don't think he sucks, but the style of play he's preaching doesn't mesh with what the players are good at. It's just not working. They should get a different voice ASAP. Somebody with more of an aggressive style.

Like i see people ask questions on reddit like, "Where are we going to get a better coach? We should just keep him if we can't upgrade." But coaches are rarely about getting an objective talent upgrade. It's more about getting someone with a different approach and different strengths that fit your player group better.

 

[norrisnick]

I don't like his strategy, motivational tactics, deployment, or in game adjustments. I was done with him partway through his first year. He should be let go ASAP because he's not a good fit. However there are no good options available (don't want to rob GR of Watson) so expect he'll be around til the end of the year.

 

[takimaki]

Steve will let his contract run out, this is just how he does things.

 

[Dotter]

We should replace him only if there's someone better with real NHL experience available.

Yzerman will most likely keep him for the remainder of his contract. I don't think Yzerman's panic threshold is the same as those of people on this forum. Yzerman is probably more interested in who he can draft around the 8-13 range.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

Without knowing everything going on with the team (mostly the flu impacts) if the players are not responding to him real soon, I think SY will entertain making a change if there is no progress as a team.

This said, I think the best schedule windows to do it would be either at US Thanksgiving or around December 12, especially if there is a significant change in team philosophy, as there are some good practice windows and home game stretches' around these two time frames to work at the adjustments.

If not done by Christmas, SY might as well let him coach out the year and look hard at bringing up Dan Watson with the next wave of kids next season.

If the team comes together and makes a push for the post season (they are certainly not out of it yet), then Newsy may get extended for a year or two, but I think if Watson can snag a Calder this year or next with the Griffs, then he is in as coach as they send up more graduates.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

The fan in me who wants to end the playoff drought voted to fire him into the sun yesterday

As I'm starting to think, since we are 3 points out from the bottom of the NHL, we should ride this bad play out and tank for Hagens/Misa. Do what friggen New Jersey was doing and yo-yo back into a playoff spot after bottoming out to get that superstar center

 

[13to40]

I think if they lose tonight and play poorly against the sharks on Monday, he should be left in California come Tuesday morning.

 

[minimal]

The fan in me who wants to end the playoff drought voted to fire him into the sun yesterday

As I'm starting to think, since we are 3 points out from the bottom of the NHL, we should ride this bad play out and tank for Hagens/Misa. Do what friggen New Jersey was doing and yo-yo back into a playoff spot after bottoming out to get that superstar center

I hate it so much, but this is pretty much where I'm at. There's a lot of problems that I blame on the coaching, but I never thought this was a playoff roster to begin with. The only worry I have is the effect this would have on the important players.

 

[Hen Kolland]

I don't like his strategy, motivational tactics, deployment, or in game adjustments. I was done with him partway through his first year. He should be let go ASAP because he's not a good fit. However there are no good options available (don't want to rob GR of Watson) so expect he'll be around til the end of the year.

I'd say if you feel confident in Watson, you are doing a disservice by prioritizing GR instead of trying to kick the NHL club into gear and make the playoffs, which should be the goal this season.

 

[SoupNazi]

I think if they lose tonight and play poorly against the sharks on Monday, he should be left in California come Tuesday morning.

This. Leave him in a TSA interrogation room.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

I want to believe it is still early. Some of the young talent is starting to produce a little.

But for a fringe team, you can't cough up games to an injury depleted, really bad Anaheim team like they did last night.

Feels like, it's not a matter of if, more of a matter of when Lalonde gets let go. I don't see how he gets another contract.

 

[Oddbob]

I want him gone, but he will be here all year.

 

[OneMoreTry]