Red Wings complete coaching change that changed the organization one year ago today
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The Detroit Red Wings completed a major coaching change that changed the organization completely, one year ago today.
One year ago, the Detroit Red Wings completed a move that changed the fate of the organization.
The Red Wings' record at this point in December was 13-17-4, suffering a devastating 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Little Caesars Arena ice.
This led to Derek Lalonde and assistant Bob Boughner being fired on December 26th, 2024. General Manager Steve Yzerman supplanted the two by hiring Head Coach Todd McLellan and Trent Yawney in response.
The team would miss the postseason despite putting together its best efforts with two seven-game win streaks. The outlook was positive heading into 2025-26.
This season, that choice looks to have paid off tenfold. Todd McLellan continues to hold his players accountable and the quality of play changed.
The Red Wings under McLellan no longer look like the dead wingers, but are the best team in the Atlantic with a record of 22-13-3.
The Detroit Red Wings' hiring of Todd McLellan has turned the tide for the Original Six organization
Under McLellan's leadership, they're also challenging the Carolina Hurricanes for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, something we never thought we'd see with Lalonde at the helm.
As the Christmas Break ends, they'll get that challenge to see who's the best of the East, as they take on the Hurricanes Saturday, December 27th. We've noticed a major improvement in the team's overall play, and so has Todd McLellan.
After Tuesday's win against the Dallas Stars, Todd McLellan addressed the subject:
"To this point, it has to feel really good for the franchise and the fans, we're winning more than we're losing," McLellan said. "But again, there is a lot of runway in front of us and a lot of road work we have to do."
"Last year is last year, it's over," he continued. "The mood, all that type of stuff, that's great. But the responses to those challenges are encouraging right now."
"Last year is last year, it's over," he continued. "The mood, all that type of stuff, that's great. But the responses to those challenges are encouraging right now."
Since taking over the Red Wings, McLellan has coached 86 games for the team and earned a record of 48-31-7 since taking control.
Despite past struggles and a multitude of injuries to reckon with, the Red Wings are a resilient team and are coming out of the Holiday season with a refreshed look, with a chance to play postseason hockey in Little Caesars Arena on the horizon.
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 82 ANSWERS Red Wings complete coaching change that changed the organization one year ago today Since Coach Todd McLellan Detroit Red Wings was hired one year ago today, do you believe that the change that was completed in December 2024 was the right choice? | ||
| Yes | 82 | 100 % |
| No | 0 | 0 % |
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