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Red Wings' Todd McLellan faces large fan reaction for shootout skater choices in Thursday's loss


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Joshua Deeds
December 5, 2025  (4:29 PM)
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Todd McLellan
Photo credit: NHL.com

Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Todd McLellan faced a large fan reaction to his questionable skater choices in the shootout, as the team fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

Todd McLellan and the Detroit Red Wings visited Nationwide Arena to face the Blue Jackets and gave up another game in the shootout on Thursday to Columbus.

Detroit Red Wings fans express outrage over social media after head coach Todd McLellan's shootout choices fail

After the 6-5 loss on Thursday, fans would take to social media to express their outrage in chorus, as Head Coach Todd McLellan would bear the brunt of his mistakes in shooter choices.
Instead of choosing Patrick Kane to lead the way, or captain Dylan Larkin, he opted to go with a bottom-six forward, James Van Riemsdyk?
While we mean no disrespect to JVR, it's obvious who you go with in special situations like this. A skilled player and one of the NHL's leading all-time shootout percentage leaders for forwards.
Fans would let him know:
These aren't the only fans who were upset with McLellan's lack of a sensible choice for the shootout. No Dylan Larkin or Patrick Kane is beyond reason in our opinion, too.
Oftentimes, we're used to Todd McLellan holding players accountable, and now it's our turn.
What was he thinking?!
The Detroit Red Wings lost the game in a shootout to a rival who should've been taken care of in regulation. However, with the Blue Jackets being a tough customer this season, Todd McLellan should've thought this through.
His choice led to Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli leading the Columbus Blue Jackets into winning territory.
Cam Talbot finished the night with a save percentage of .835, and Lucas Raymond and JVR disappointed in the shootout.
We expected better choices from the coach; in return, we ask, who sends a stern message to him?
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Red Wings' Todd McLellan faces large fan reaction for shootout skater choices in Thursday's loss

Do you think Head Coach Todd McLellan of the Detroit Red Wings deserves the large fan reaction for his poor shoutout choices on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets?


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