Confirmed with Link: Wings Fire Lalonde and Hire Todd McLellan

[Henkka]

Kane under McLellan this year: 13 points in 8 games
Kane under Lalonde this year: 14 points in 29 games

kinda funny to look at

It also crazy when you look on former Yzerman signed UFAs, who are almost all playing better now.

Chiarot, Copp, Motte, Gustafsson, Holl etc.

Compher and Tarasenko are struggling a bit, but still better on the last 8 games.

And also DeBrincat is at 37-goal pace, not at 27 like earlier seasons.

 

[ewfwgfwahbger]

I'm an outside fan and I'm curious, can I get a TL DW on why your team is good since the coaching change ? I saw people saying it was just Kaner going hot. I'm skeptical. Haven't watched a wings game in a while.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Lalonde was so trash. Can't believe how unprepared and stale he had us. We would have definitely made the playoffs last year with Todd.

 

[Euro Twins]

My two cents which aren't even worth that, are that lalondes system and the way Yzerman wanted to build the team were going in different directions.

I don't believe Lalonde was a bad coach, I think he had some things to learn still with only a couple seasons as head coach. However the style of play he wanted to implement was never going to work with guys like kane leading the team.

Even last year the team had way more energy and I felt Lalonde deserved another year to reign in his coaching mishaps and lack of timeouts. It's a shame that he never put it all together here and I really hope he gets another chance even as an assistant. He seemed like a really likeable guy, he just didn't fit Yzerman vision this year (evidenced by yzermans presser where he said he wasn't going to micro manage Lalonde but he had a different vision in terms of playing style, which I'm sure was closer to Tampa's style)

A lot of harsh words being said about newsey, some deserved and some not. As far as I understand most of the players liked him, just not his coaching style, it happens.

Best of luck newsey, you did tremendous work helping the team take the next step, and I wish you all of the luck in the future.

 

[RabidBadger]

I'm just happy the coaching change and subsequent heater has quashed the Walman whining. It's really helped the JW fans with their crushing bereavement.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

My two cents which aren't even worth that, are that lalondes system and the way Yzerman wanted to build the team were going in different directions.

I don't believe Lalonde was a bad coach, I think he had some things to learn still with only a couple seasons as head coach. However the style of play he wanted to implement was never going to work with guys like kane leading the team.

Even last year the team had way more energy and I felt Lalonde deserved another year to reign in his coaching mishaps and lack of timeouts. It's a shame that he never put it all together here and I really hope he gets another chance even as an assistant. He seemed like a really likeable guy, he just didn't fit Yzerman vision this year (evidenced by yzermans presser where he said he wasn't going to micro manage Lalonde but he had a different vision in terms of playing style, which I'm sure was closer to Tampa's style)

A lot of harsh words being said about newsey, some deserved and some not. As far as I understand most of the players liked him, just not his coaching style, it happens.

Best of luck newsey, you did tremendous work helping the team take the next step, and I wish you all of the luck in the future.

You can like the person but dislike the boss. He could rival mother Theresa as a saint, but the fact of the matter is Lalonde is objectively a bad coach. The roster last year underperformed for long enough stretches we missed the playoffs by 1 point. It underperformed this year so bad it got him fired and the team is JUST NOW getting close to where it should be in the standings because of a heater.

This team should probably have 6 to 8 more points than where they are now and be comfortably in the wildcard spot instead of Boston or Columbus. And I'd guess the team would probably be 7-10 points lower in the standings if Lalonde had stayed as the coach right now.

 

[Euro Twins]

You can like the person but dislike the boss. He could rival mother Theresa as a saint, but the fact of the matter is Lalonde is objectively a bad coach. The roster last year underperformed for long enough stretches we missed the playoffs by 1 point. It underperformed this year so bad it got him fired and the team is JUST NOW getting close to where it should be in the standings because of a heater.

This team should probably have 6 to 8 more points than where they are now and be comfortably in the wildcard spot instead of Boston or Columbus. And I'd guess the team would probably be 7-10 points lower in the standings if Lalonde had stayed as the coach right now.

I'm not going to disagree with you. Like I said he was a good assistant and he deserves another chance to be one. Being a head coach just didn't work out for him and I wish him the best.

 

[GarlicbreadTB]

Henrik Zetterberg told a swedish journalist that McLellan is the best coach he's ever had. Credited him with the reason Red Wings were so successful during Babcock's early tenure.

 

[Winger98]

I'm an outside fan and I'm curious, can I get a TL DW on why your team is good since the coaching change ? I saw people saying it was just Kaner going hot. I'm skeptical. Haven't watched a wings game in a while.

Kane doesn't play like this if Lalonde isn't fired, imo. Lalonde lost the team and they quit showing up. In hindsight, I think Boughner was a mistake and Lalonde may have put too much faith in his opinion. Also, I think Lalonde was coaching scared this year. He knew his job was on the line and he turtled it into pushing the blandest, softest, most risk averse hockey possible with the safest lineup decisions possible. Because he knew losing on the ice would equal losing his job, but in the process he crippled himself and lost the team.

 

[ewfwgfwahbger]

Kane doesn't play like this if Lalonde isn't fired, imo. Lalonde lost the team and they quit showing up. In hindsight, I think Boughner was a mistake and Lalonde may have put too much faith in his opinion. Also, I think Lalonde was coaching scared this year. He knew his job was on the line and he turtled it into pushing the blandest, softest, most risk averse hockey possible with the safest lineup decisions possible. Because he knew losing on the ice would equal losing his job, but in the process he crippled himself and lost the team.

That could be it. When you have a guy like Kane, as a coach at the NHL level you have to let those type of players be able to draw some X and O's.

 

[Realgud]

I think that should be Detroit’s top priority at the TDL or this offseason. A real 2/3D that puts Chiarot as a 3rd pairing guy would be amazing for this team. Broberg would have been ideal but that ship sailed. Byram? Miller? Any other suggestions?

Cam Fowler... oops!

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Cam Fowler... oops!

I always thought of him and Nick Leddy as the same player.

 

[Realgud]

I always thought of him and Nick Leddy as the same player.

Possibly but for the price he was acquired by the Blues it should have been a no brainer imo, Fowler and Ed on the left side in the top 4 would have been solid. I prefer Fowler to Leddy but you could say they are similar players. Anyway, the team looks good now and Benny is doing fine... but for how long.

 

[Gniwder]

Henrik Zetterberg told a swedish journalist that McLellan is the best coach he's ever had. Credited him with the reason Red Wings were so successful during Babcock's early tenure.

Well who would you rather listen to? Todd or Babs?

 

[Henkka]

I could imagine McLellan had same speech againt the Leafs.