Red Wings head coach delivers harsh message to four longtime players of the team
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings head coach, Todd McLellan, has sent a harsh message to the veterans on his team, who have been disappointing in their play.
Many believe that the Red Wings hadn't been performing up to expectations for new head coach Todd McLellan after a disappointing 5-1 loss in their home opener.
Head Coach Todd McLellan called out his team after the blowout.
The players addressed were tenured Red Wings players and should be anchors the rest of the team holds onto for leadership and stability.
Todd McLellan Calls out the Detroit Red Wings Veteran
«I actually asked a couple, maybe three or four players, like, 'Are we tired of this yet?'» McLellan said on Friday. «And they were longtime Red Wings. They didn't come from other organizations. Just, you know, when is enough, enough, to play sloppy like that? And I wasn't blaming those players, I wasn't saying, 'Hey it's your fault.' But it has to have an impact on those guys. They've got to be sitting in there going, 'OK, enough already.' But if those four start, or five start, and make a difference, the rest will follow. And I'm hoping that will happen.»
Instead of letting the problems persist deep into the season, he's decided to get ahead of them early in the year.
The Detroit Red Wings Defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3, Saturday
It appears that the message has stuck, as the Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 6-3 on Saturday.
They maintained pressure on the perennial contenders that day and have shown what Todd McLellan can do when it comes to inspiring his new team.
One point McLellan focused on is that instead of the team feeling sorry for themselves, he wanted them to be laser-focused on playing their game and not being pushovers.
«We talked about being mentally tough, we didn't roll over, and 'woe is us' type attitude,» McLellan said. «We dug in a little bit more. So that's a real good sign for us.»
The Detroit Red Wings experienced a small sample size of success under McLellan last season, and it could continue if the team keeps buying into his system.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
TRENDING NOW
