Detroit Red Wings Shake Things Up: Todd McLellan Returns to Hockeytown as Head Coach
Something big is brewing in Detroit.
The Red Wings just dropped a bombshell—Derek Lalonde is out, and Todd McLellan is in.
McLellan, the coaching veteran with 598 career NHL wins and a history of success is officially the 29th head coach of the legendary franchise. And let me tell you, this isn’t just your average mid-season adjustment. This is a bold, calculated move by General Manager Steve Yzerman, who knows winning like the back of his hand (4 Stanley Cups will do that to you).
So, why the sudden shakeup?
A Disappointing Season in Hockeytown
It’s no secret—Detroit’s season has been a grind. The Wings are well below expectations, sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 21 losses in their first 34 games. Nine straight years without playoff hockey? For a team once dubbed “Hockeytown,” that’s unacceptable.
But the breaking point? They have a three-game skid and nine losses in their last 12 outings. Ouch.
Lalonde, who was brought in back in 2022 to end the playoff drought, couldn’t get it done. Even major roster moves like signing three-time Cup champ Patrick Kane failed to turn the tide.
Yzerman had enough. And as we’ve learned, he’s not afraid to pull the trigger.
Enter Todd McLellan
McLellan isn’t just another coach—he’s a proven winner.
From his early days as an assistant in Detroit (fun fact: he helped the Wings win the Cup in 2008) to leading teams like San Jose, Edmonton, and Los Angeles to the postseason, McLellan’s resume is stacked.
Here’s the breakdown of his career accomplishments:
- 598 NHL wins (6th among active coaches)
- 9 playoff appearances as a head coach
- Guided teams to 3 50-win seasons and 6 100-point seasons
- Coached at two NHL All-Star Games
- Helped Team Canada win gold at the 2015 IIHF World Championships
And now, the 57-year-old Saskatchewan native is back in the Motor City. Full circle moment, anyone?
A Team in Transition
But McLellan won’t be taking on this challenge alone. Joining him on the bench is assistant coach Trent Yawney, a seasoned hockey mind with nearly two decades of experience at the NHL level.
Yawney’s no stranger to the grind, either—he’s coached everywhere, from the Anaheim Ducks to the Chicago Blackhawks, and even represented Canada in international play.
Together, McLellan and Yawney are tasked with reviving a franchise that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2016. The pressure? Immense. The stakes? Even higher.
It’s Time to Bring Back Detroit’s Glory Days
Let’s not forget who we’re talking about here. The Detroit Red Wings aren’t just another NHL team—they’re a dynasty.
This franchise hoisted the Stanley Cup four times between 1997 and 2008. The team that rewrote the book on hockey excellence, with names like Yzerman, Lidstrom, and Federov forever etched into history.
Now? The mission is clear: Get this team back where it belongs—competing for Cups.
So, what does McLellan have to say about stepping into this pressure cooker of a coaching gig? Nothing yet—but his track record speaks volumes.
Fans, buckle up. The journey back to greatness won’t happen overnight. But the pieces fall into place with Yzerman at the helm and McLellan behind the bench.
Detroit had embraced the challenge before—and won. Now, it’s time to write the next chapter.
Hockeytown, it’s time to believe again.
Let’s go, Red Wings.
