The Detroit Red Wings announce the hiring of a new head coach today in history
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The Detroit Red Wings hired a new head coach 43 years ago today in hockey history as we look back on the Original Six organizations substantial moves.
43 years ago on August 4th marks a historic hire that led to a great amount of success for the Detroit Red Wings organization, in a move that saw the team hiring Nick Polano as their newest head coach.
Polano spent one year asan assistant coach in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres before making the large leap to the big leagues, and the Red Wings were willing to take a chance on the newcomer.
He replaced interim coach Billy Dea, who stepped behind the bench for Detroit later in the 1981-82 season following the firing of Wayne Maxner.
His tenure with the organization was quite short and didn't fully go as planned.
In year 1 with the team, Polano failed to get the Red Wings into the playoffs. Years 2 and 3 both saw Detroit eliminated in the first round, which ultimately led to his departure.
Detroit Red Wings make head coach change 43 years later
Fast forwarding a substantial amount of time, the Red Wings echoed history by firing head coach Derek Lalonde and hiring Todd McLellan.
The hiring gave a sign of hope to players as well as fans that the organization is on the right page to get back into playoff contention. McLellan, much like Nick Polano, missed a playoff clinch in their first season.
Polano led the Red Wings to the playoffs in his second and third year, could we see a trend of history repeating itself?
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 4 | 528 ANSWERS The Detroit Red Wings announce the hiring of a new head coach today in history Do you think the Detroit Red Wings will follow this historic trend by clinching a playoff spot next season? | ||
| Yes | 293 | 55.5 % |
| No | 235 | 44.5 % |
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