Confirmed with Link: Wings Fire Lalonde and Hire Todd McLellan

[OneMoreTry]

Eh, he's a proven head coach. I don't really give a sh*t what system he plays, I just want to see some progress.

I have never understood - across all sports - how head coaches can have “their” system and somehow really have the nerve to not adjust anything.

Yes, you are allowed to have your preferred dream idea of how you’d play if you had Team Canada..

..but until then, you better find the best system for the players you have right now. That’s what they pay you millions of dollars for..

 

[SantosHalper]

Welcome back! Not the Todd that i would have hired but the Todd whom was available, certainly better option than Fester or Q.

Didn't even know McClellan was available. This came out of nowhere.

Maybe, maybe not.
Detroit Redwings Downfall

 

[newfy]

From the McClellan aspect... Should we be at all excited?

At first I was like, "OK cool they did something about Lalonde" and now it's like, "Meh. Ok."

I don't know if I'm ecstatic or anything but McLellan is a good coach with a solid resume in the NHL. I like that he actually has a resume and has coached some stars so he can come in and throw some weight around a bit in the dressing room with some of the effort that has been shown lately

Hopefully not a dump and chase system

He's a big time possession guy. Those kings teams he coached while they were rebuilding were top 5 teams in possession exits and zone entries and really high ranked in rush chances for. Not really a 2008 red wings team that just had the puck on a strong the whole time, but a team that gets the puck out of their end fast, gets in on the other team and generates chances with their speed.

I think his style actually fits a lot of what the wings should be trying to do with who they have on their roster

 

[featherhawk]

what took so long? Lalonde has had a super long leash...

 

[dalem177]

I am in the "hate to see you go but love to watch you leave" camp. It was clear even to me that Newsy wasn't the right man for the current job. I dk much about McLellan, but I do know he's new and that might get the guys playing hockey again. I hope Newsy lands somewhere good and excels there.

 

[LeighDx59]

I think its a good hire for now.

Only downside is we likely wont get a top five pick now, but honestly? thats okay to me. If this team can make the Playoffs, and give the guys like Seider and Raymond a taste, and remind Larkin of what its like and give them that experience, I think itll be more of a benefit than finishing 8-10th again. Even if they lose in the first round. And McLellan likely isnt the guy you win a Cup with but after a few seasons if he hasnt had any success, you find your guy and by that time, there should be a window for potential Cup runs.

Definitely feel bad for Lalonde, he's a good guy but this change was incredibly necessary.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

does this mean we can get walman back??

 

[saska sault]

Well.... went into the bush for a family snowshoe and came home to this! Not sure what to feel about Mclellan but I'm happy Lalonde is gone. Time for some fresh air in the organization and to get some guys motivated or out the door (player wise).

I can't imagine the team being less enjoyable to watch.

 

[Go Wings]

Good about damn time. I'm fine with McLellan they've tried 2 rookie coaches and it failed miserably. McLellan is obviously familiar with Detroit so we'll see what he can do running things this time.

 

[HoweFan]

It had to happen. Good luck to you Todd. I would rather break our playoff less streak than try for a top four pick

 

[Run the Jewels]

Max Bultman points out that McClellan's Kings teams were strong defensively and that's something that would be welcome in Detroit.

 

[OneMoreTry]

McLellan was the offense assistant coach for 08/09 cup win if I remember right.

Ran the PP from 05 to 09 or something.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Wow this is so much to process.

 

[ricky0034]

best of luck to him taking over this roster

kinda indifferent about Mclellan specifically but Lalonde seems to have lost his grip on things so it would probably be hard for him to do worse

 

[Gniwder]

Lots of good discussion, we finally have something to talk about....

I'm a bit surprised nobody mentioned the nepotism angle yet. Stevie hired yet another buddy.

What bothers me is that he signed a coach to a multi-year contract instead of riding out the tank. Unless Larkin gets injured, we're looking at another pick around #10 as mentioned earlier. Stuck in mediocrity.

1-3-1 trap more than likely means Ed and Mo will get split up, it'll be interesting to see how he handles it in terms of handedness between all of the right handed forwards and the #1D being right handed while #2 is left handed.

The biggest issue with Fester was that he didn't trust younger players. He's not a good developmental coach, you can't develop without ice time. With a bunch of youngsters coming up in the next 2 seasons, Fester was gonna be gone anyways. Todd is gonna have to do better.

 

[stillwater]

With Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Lidstrom.

 

[Euro Twins]

Last time McLellan won a cup was in Detroit.

Everyone wants newsey gone. Then when's he's fired they complain he wasn't fired the way they wanted.

Literally going to whine about anything.

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

Ok. Sure.

 

[DanielMarois]

Not a bad choice , just kind of a boring old defence-first coach, was hoping for someone a bit more modern.

 

[ricky0034]

Lots of good discussion, we finally have something to talk about....

I'm a bit surprised nobody mentioned the nepotism angle yet. Stevie hired yet another buddy.

What bothers me is that he signed a coach to a multi-year contract instead of riding out the tank. Unless Larkin gets injured, we're looking at another pick around #10 as mentioned earlier. Stuck in mediocrity.

1-3-1 trap more than likely means Ed and Mo will get split up, it'll be interesting to see how he handles it in terms of handedness between all of the right handed forwards and the #1D being right handed while #2 is left handed.

The biggest issue with Fester was that he didn't trust younger players. He's not a good developmental coach, you can't develop without ice time. With a bunch of youngsters coming up in the next 2 seasons, Fester was gonna be gone anyways. Todd is gonna have to do better.

I think it helps there how long ago it was

like i'm sure they still know each other a bit but I doubt working with him for a few years almost 2 decades ago was a significant factor here in picking him

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

I come in peace. I just wish to ask you a question.

When does Yzerman's seat heat get turned up?

if he re-signs petry or kane, or if he uses up all our cap space on washed vets instead of promoting kids that are ready, that's when i'll throw in the towel on yzerman

 

[HoweFan]

Whether he was the right pick or not at least it was a move. It shows management does have a willingness to do something. Personally I like the pick. I’m glad we didn’t give the job to Q. He didn’t sound like an Yzerman choice anyways.

 

[Euro Twins]

If we're going to whine someone didn't get hired I'd like to say I would have like the professor or Fedorov. No other really great options available that wouldn't be controversial

 

[Hobnobs]

McLellan coming full-circle. Not super excited but he's not a bad coach just mehish.

 

[ibleedkings]

The good with Koala is he'll light a fire under some of the players and maybe give you guys a temporary turnaround.

The bad is he's horrible with younger players. Will make the skilled ones learn on the 4th line and become a grinder, then blast them and kill their confidence because they aren't scoring in that roll. He did that specifically with Arthur Kaliyev, Gabe Vilardi and a few others.

His coaching decisions will give you gray hair. Back to back years against the Oilers in the playoffs he made the same mistakes over and over. He's also still being paid by LA this year and has the highest salary of all the NHL Coaches which is a joke.

1-3-1 is very boring hockey. LA's skilled guys (Fiala, Kempe) were not fans.

I was optimistic when LA hired him, but that went out the door very quick. Hopefully it's different for you guys.