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Derek Lalonde gets real about chances of Detroit Red Wings salvaging their season
Photo credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eojMrxqtIQ
Shortly after their latest embarrassing loss, Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde got real about the chances of the team salvaging the rest of their season.
As it currently stands, the Detroit Red Wings are next to last in the Eastern Conference; they're ahead of only the Buffalo Sabres, who recently broke a 13-game winless skid.
Their most recent loss was the 3rd straight in regulation, a 4-0 embarrassment to the St. Louis Blues at Little Caesars Arena.
Despite a sellout crowd on hand at the opening puck drop, only a few thousand remained as the seconds ticked away in regulation, and they gave the Red Wings a blunt assessment of their brutal on-ice performance:
Coach Derek Lalonde, who is facing intensifying scrutiny from fans who feel his job security should be in serious danger, spoke bluntly about the chances of his team turning their season around before it's too late.
It's not a very good spot to be in. As far as losing the season, I don't think you look at that.
I think you kind of live in the moment. And our moment is break, recharge and try to get our game back in order against Toronto.
I think you kind of live in the moment. And our moment is break, recharge and try to get our game back in order against Toronto.
What is Derek Lalonde's job security?
Red Wings fans can't help but notice that there have already been four coaching changes this year, two of which were made by Original 6 rivals.
The Boston Bruins terminated coach Jim Montgomery barely into his 3rd season behind their bench, despite his winning percentage of .715 during his tenure with the team.
The Chicago Blackhawks stunned fans by parting ways with Luke Richardson, despite the franchise not having realistic expectations of fielding a competitive team to challenge for the playoffs.
And of course, there was the St. Louis Blues handing Drew Bannister (who succeeded the fired Craig Berube just over a year ago) a pink slip so that they could swoop in and hire Montgomery while he was available.
All the while, Lalonde continues to retain his position in Detroit despite his team regressing compared to where they were last year at this point, and even in his 1st year on the job in 2022-23.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 25 | 175 ANSWERS Derek Lalonde gets real about chances of Detroit Red Wings salvaging their season Is Derek Lalonde getting too much leeway from Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman? | ||
| Yes | 162 | 92.6 % |
| No | 13 | 7.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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