Lalonde FIRED. McLellan Hired!

[LeftWinger 5,129]

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2024/12/breaking-red-wings-fire-lalonde-name.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3qn0xNizHYsAp6PFBWjR71PejybzH0EzxDZaNN1QGHOkgIE9Rp_-5ajdE_aem_OYt5uJG2Gge5j02fssnRhw

 

 

My question is, Is McLellan a good enough replacement to have a multi-year deal given to him already?

Edited February 3 by LeftWinger

[LeftWinger 5,129]

He better get this team motivated, ASAP! They can still turn this around! Stop playing the junk players and play the ones that deserve the shot! Hopefully now that Ilitch allowed this to happen, Yzerman can upgrade the team via trades. NO MORE TOP 15 PICKS! Playoffs or else!

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

Naturally SY grabbed the only guy with a connection to the Wings. This thing he has about only hiring guys hes worked with b4 leaves us somewhat limited.

However Todd has a lot of coaching under his belt. SY basically 180ed from rookie to well seasoned. He's also shown to be good at coaching rebuild teams. Just cant get it done in the playoffs.

Bigger story is Boughner and his terrible PK are gone. However, Todd plays boring trap defense, so dont expect games to get more exciting...

I personally did not expect a firing so soon... now that it happened im starting to wonder if SYs seat is hotter than anyone expects. We are in year 6 and the team looks like its in another year of the mediocrity cycle. A lot of his moves the past 2 years have been head scratchingly dumb... Walman, Fabbri, Gustafsson, Tarasenko, Kostin, bad coaches, goalie carousel, not buying, not selling. He probably has a longer leash than anyone, but if this was anyone not named SY, this move would stink like desperation to save ones job...

[Rick D 390]

I have been half joking lately that they are going to wait until after Christmas and then blow him out, especially after these last 3 beatings. 
I have always liked McLellan, I thought he’d be promoted when he was the assistant coach, let’s hope he does well now that he has his chance. 

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

13 minutes ago, Rick D said:

I have been half joking lately that they are going to wait until after Christmas and then blow him out, especially after these last 3 beatings. 
I have always liked McLellan, I thought he’d be promoted when he was the assistant coach, let’s hope he does well now that he has his chance. 

I can't help but wonder, what if we had dumped and chased it just one more time? Like the old saying "99% of gamblers quit right before they win big". 99% of hockey teams quit dumping and chasing right b4 the dump n chase is about to payoff HUGE. I hope Todd dumps and chases MORE. I can feel that it's about to hit. Dump didnt work the first time dylan? Did you try dumping a 2nd time? A 3rd? Stick to da prosess dylan. Respek da systum. 

Edited December 27, 2024 by Jimmybigrigs69

[Motor City Mullets 303]

Just learned of this 5 minutes ago lol

I'm both shocked and happy.

Shocked that Yzerman did something and happy it is someone with a successful NHL pedigree.

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

2 hours ago, Motor City Mullets said:

Just learned of this 5 minutes ago lol

I'm both shocked and happy.

Shocked that Yzerman did something and happy it is someone with a successful NHL pedigree.

You know its a desperation move when 99% of fans are celebrating lalonde being gone, instead of mclellan being hired. 

Goalie carousel meet coach carousel. 

Team has reached apex mediocre trap joke status.

This period will be unnaturally extended for too long because Yzerman lacks his tampa staff, but has an infinte leash. 

Most GMs dont survive 3 coaches. Does anyone actually believe Todd will bring us a cup? He's signed for multiple years. 

The smart ones stopped paying attention 8 years ago. 

Go lions. 

 

[Motor City Mullets 303]

1st order of business is for McLellan to get this team to resemble an NHL caliber team...Too many years of subpar performance has us jaded.

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

Some of this is on Larkin unfortunately.

Got his huge contract last year. Lost his child middle of last year. Lost playoff fight while he was out of the lineup.

His "giving a F" seems to be at an all time low. Entire season so far he has not been vocal on the ice. Not creative. Not inspired. Watch the last presser and he says "disconnected" about 300 times.

Maybe this is due to Newsy losing the room, but IMO Larks seems to have given up fighting through/against all that. Got his paycheck. Got his problems at home. Why beat your head against a wall for an idiot coach and coasters like Kane? He's probably already accepted the season is shot. 

Day 1 for Mclellan needs to be a 1 on 1 with Dylan to sell him the plan and reinspire him. Without Larkin on 100%, this team 100% has no chance.

Day 2 for Todd needs to be grabbing Kaner by the balls. Literally. While he winces: "start playing with these or I promise I will staple them to the fuqqing bench, idgaf how many awards they won 8 fuqqing years ago"

The problem with Derek was a continuation of the same problem we had with Blash: The infamous players coach. No real cultural change happened. We're still "connecting" with players to "inspire" a process of winning. Miss us wit dat rainbow sheit. Do your job or gtfo. 

I foresee much more change coming. Steve has committed to Todd for multiple years, this isnt an interim gig. Jan-Feb will be an evaluation period for Mcllellan. Taking inventory. Those he doesn't like or want will be offered to Stephen as tradeable assets. Deals involving Ras and Veleno will probably be explored. Kane and Gustafsson are most likely done in Detroit one way or another. 

Yawney is most likely here as Todds confidant and second set of eyes on Tanguay, Varaday, and Westlund. I can see 1 or all 3 removed as coaches at seasons end. 

Lastly, the elephant in the room is Chris Yzerman. It's been rumored SY leans on him for proscouting since their days in Tampa. But Gustafsson, Holl, Tarasenko, Petry have been horrible evaluations/additions... we have not had a director of pro scouting since the retirement of Mark Howe. Chris seemed in line for that position, until recently. He's probably not going to be fired because of his last name, but someone likely needs to be installed ahead of him as director and SY's new right hand in proscouting. TBL poached Pushor and Routa off of our staff. Time for SY to clap back and bring someone he trusts from their over. Thinking Al Murray, who currently serves as senior advisor to Brisebois. Hand him the pro scouting dept and make him the 4th AGM if necessary. 

Edited December 27, 2024 by Jimmybigrigs69

[Akakabuto 1,842]

9 hours ago, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

Most GMs dont survive 3 coaches

Isn’t Yzerman actually on his second coach? Didn’t hire Blash. 

[mackel 763]

20 hours ago, LeftWinger said:

He better get this team motivated, ASAP! They can still turn this around! Stop playing the junk players and play the ones that deserve the shot! Hopefully now that Ilitch allowed this to happen, Yzerman can upgrade the team via trades. NO MORE TOP 15 PICKS! Playoffs or else!

This year is over bud... we should be looking at drafting top 5.  Be competitive sure, but no banaids or slap dash short term adds.  Let nature take its course with this awful roster .

[Motor City Mullets 303]

1 hour ago, mackel said:

This year is over bud... we should be looking at drafting top 5.  Be competitive sure, but no banaids or slap dash short term adds.  Let nature take its course with this awful roster .

As much as I'm glad to see Lalonde gone and replaced with an experienced/successful  coach in McLellan - I  am on the fence as to what to expect, or want for the remainder of this season...

Turn s*** around and go on a winning streak where we have a shot at a wildcard spot, or be 'competitive' yet still lose on a nightly basis (which then would beg the question of why was Lalonde replaced if we're getting the same results with McLellan).

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Lalonde's next NHL head coaching job will be in........................

[mackel 763]

On 12/27/2024 at 2:30 PM, GMRwings1983 said:

Lalonde's next NHL head coaching job will be in........................

His imagination. 

[Axl Foley 334]

On 12/26/2024 at 11:47 PM, Jimmybigrigs69 said:

You know its a desperation move when 99% of fans are celebrating lalonde being gone, instead of mclellan being hired. 

Goalie carousel meet coach carousel. 

Team has reached apex mediocre trap joke status.

This period will be unnaturally extended for too long because Yzerman lacks his tampa staff, but has an infinte leash. 

Most GMs dont survive 3 coaches. Does anyone actually believe Todd will bring us a cup? He's signed for multiple years. 

The smart ones stopped paying attention 8 years ago. 

Go lions. 

 

Todd was hired to get this team TO the playoffs. I suspect a coaching change when the team is contending.

On 12/27/2024 at 12:07 PM, Motor City Mullets said:

As much as I'm glad to see Lalonde gone and replaced with an experienced/successful  coach in McLellan - I  am on the fence as to what to expect, or want for the remainder of this season...

Turn s*** around and go on a winning streak where we have a shot at a wildcard spot, or be 'competitive' yet still lose on a nightly basis (which then would beg the question of why was Lalonde replaced if we're getting the same results with McLellan).

neither of those was happening with Lalonde. I expect both with mclellan.

On 12/27/2024 at 1:30 PM, GMRwings1983 said:

Lalonde's next NHL head coaching job will be in........................

Probably as an NHL Asst 

On 12/27/2024 at 10:49 AM, mackel said:

This year is over bud... we should be looking at drafting top 5.  Be competitive sure, but no banaids or slap dash short term adds.  Let nature take its course with this awful roster .

The East is wide open. It is far from over. This team is very much still in it.

[AtlantaHotWings 1,124]

Been a couple of good days on the ice off the ice not too good....

Right now

      Tampa has 35 GP sitting @ 42 pts

       Sens hold the 2nd spot with 37 @ 40pts

       Pens GP 39 @ 39pts

       Jackets GP 39 @ 38pts

       Flyers GP 39 @ 38pts

       Habs GP 37 @ 37pts

        Wings GP 38 @ 36pts

        Rags GP 37 @ 35pts

Most games played currently are Bruins @ 40.  Going to take the assumption everyone wins their games in hand as that would be the worst case scenario.  

       Tampa would be @ 50 and that would drop the Bruins into the WC2 spot 

       Sens would be @ 46

       Bruins would be @ 44

       Habs would be @ 43

       Pens would be @ 41

       Rags would be @ 41

       Wings would be @40

       Flyers would be @ 40

      Jackets would be @40

So still sitting out by 4 points but its not insurmountable if they get on a run and don't have any extended losing streaks like last year when Larkin went down.  

I am happily watching games now as it seems the coaching change as allowed them to play vs think and we aren't turtling with the lead. 

TM had some balls last night late in the game and it paid off but it showed the team he has faith in them . 

 

 

[kipwinger 8,754]

We were sitting on a 8 point lead in the first Wild Card a year ago. At one point we were 3 points behind Toronto for the 3rd divisional seed. Four points back right now might as well be a dead heat considering how many divisional games we have left. There's plenty of time to right the ship and get into the playoffs if SY wants it to go that way, but we need help on defense if we're going to do that. Probably a big forward too.

[kipwinger 8,754]

Anybody wanna hop on the Berggren bandwagon? I've been really exited about this guy for a while and it's good to see him getting a chance. If he fizzles out now it's all on him. This is his "Zadina on the top line" moment.

Berggren took throwing a bit of shade at Lalonde in this quote:

"When I have the puck, I don't think like I can make a mistake here. I just think about seeing the plays and how I make the plays instead of how I lose the puck. Just think about producing, and I think that's the biggest thing right now."

Edited January 3 by kipwinger

[Jimmybigrigs69 366]

1 hour ago, kipwinger said:

Anybody wanna hop on the Berggren bandwagon? I've been really exited about this guy for a while and it's good to see him getting a chance. If he fizzles out now it's all on him. This is his "Zadina on the top line" moment.

Berggren took throwing a bit of shade at Lalonde in this quote:

"When I have the puck, I don't think like I can make a mistake here. I just think about seeing the plays and how I make the plays instead of how I lose the puck. Just think about producing, and I think that's the biggest thing right now."

Berggren is mehhhh. How are we not talking about Joe Veleno? He's been a beast since Todd took the reins and unleashed him. Kid looking like a top6 center. Forget Cozens. 

[Akakabuto 1,842]

I don't love Todd McLellan, but I love having him coaching the Red Wings. It's almost ten years ago the last time this team had a seasoned head coach.

[stephen-gregory-yzerman 133]

12 hours ago, Akakabuto said:

I don't love Todd McLellan, but I love having him coaching the Red Wings. It's almost ten years ago the last time this team had a seasoned head coach.

Whats not to love about Todd McLellan? I love everything about this coach. Straight forward no bulls*** approach to players and media. Puts in work and demands max effort every shift every game. Trusts and plays the young players and rewards good play. Not even mentioning his systems - less dump and chase more puck possession hockey.

McLellan is a great coach and a perfect fit for where this team is at. Look at the difference in play from the most important players on this team. Larks, Ray, Seider have been leading the team all season but theyve all taken it to a whole other level since Todd came in. Kasper and Jo look like completely different players under Todd. Hes done well with Berg and Soda. I look forward to see what he can do with Danielson, Maz, MBN, ASP, ect.

[kipwinger 8,754]

2 hours ago, stephen-gregory-yzerman said:

Whats not to love about Todd McLellan? I love everything about this coach. Straight forward no bulls*** approach to players and media. Puts in work and demands max effort every shift every game. Trusts and plays the young players and rewards good play. Not even mentioning his systems - less dump and chase more puck possession hockey.

McLellan is a great coach and a perfect fit for where this team is at. Look at the difference in play from the most important players on this team. Larks, Ray, Seider have been leading the team all season but theyve all taken it to a whole other level since Todd came in. Kasper and Jo look like completely different players under Todd. Hes done well with Berg and Soda. I look forward to see what he can do with Danielson, Maz, MBN, ASP, ect.

Yeah, I don’t really see any downside with Todd. I realize that he’s never won a Cup, but I actually kinda prefer that. Right before we hired him I was talking to a buddy about the Wings and said I wanted a coach that was still hungry to win…just like I want players that are hungry to win and not just riding out the ends of their careers. Todd still has something to prove and I like that. 
 

Edit: Plus we now play faster and more exciting hockey. I remember one of the dumb dumbs around here said Todd played “boring trap” hockey. Couldn’t be further from the truth…thank god. It’s fun to see the boys score goals finally. 

Edited January 29 by kipwinger

[AtlantaHotWings 1,124]

This coaching change like has been refreshing. Todd looks at things and says why not. Like the simple pairing of AJO with Simon vs having AJO bounce in and out of the lineup. Derek never thought of pairing the 2 guys that played together in GR Todd went this makes sense. 

When Todd called out Holl after a game he wasn't douchy but more matter of fact that Holl knew he sucked that game. Holl's play hasn't been worse since then. I think TM is brutally honest with the players behind the scenes and they respect that fact that there is no ambiguity with TM.  Plus TM isn't acting like we won the stat sheet but still lost ya for us. If we lose he is blunt its almost like a softer Torts. 

I am getting semi bullish about the playoffs  just think we have min room for errors to make it. But I am now looking forward to staying up past bedtime for the Western CA trip. Whereas in Oct/Nov this trip was catch the highlights on nhl.com and expect loses.

Rest of this year going to be fun and looking forward to more kids and more TM system next year. 

[kipwinger 8,754]

20 minutes ago, AtlantaHotWings said:

This coaching change like has been refreshing. Todd looks at things and says why not. Like the simple pairing of AJO with Simon vs having AJO bounce in and out of the lineup. Derek never thought of pairing the 2 guys that played together in GR Todd went this makes sense. 

When Todd called out Holl after a game he wasn't douchy but more matter of fact that Holl knew he sucked that game. Holl's play hasn't been worse since then. I think TM is brutally honest with the players behind the scenes and they respect that fact that there is no ambiguity with TM.  Plus TM isn't acting like we won the stat sheet but still lost ya for us. If we lose he is blunt its almost like a softer Torts. 

I am getting semi bullish about the playoffs  just think we have min room for errors to make it. But I am now looking forward to staying up past bedtime for the Western CA trip. Whereas in Oct/Nov this trip was catch the highlights on nhl.com and expect loses.

Rest of this year going to be fun and looking forward to more kids and more TM system next year. 

Obviously you have to win the games, and that’s never easy, but I think if we go .600-.750 against teams in our division from here on out we will make the playoffs. We will occasionally drop games to Florida, Tampa, Toronto but if we win most of our remaining games against Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo were probably good. 

[marcaractac 3,963]

I wish we could get a behind-the-scenes doc of Lalonde's tenure this season. It needs to be studied.