The upcoming games will be crucial in determining the future of Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde.
As the 2024-25 NHL season reaches its quarter mark, teams are evaluating their trajectories, and the Red Wings may be considering changes. With coaching firings already taking place across the league, Lalonde is under scrutiny as he finds himself in the hot seat.
This is Lalonde’s third season as head coach, and a critical stretch of games could significantly impact his tenure. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger on Insider Trading, “the Red Wings may be the next team to make a coaching change.”
“They’ve got a crucial three-game homestand happening this week,” Dreger noted. “What happens if they go zero-for-three? The upside is they could go three-for-three or win two of three and Derek Lalonde… stays on the Red Wings bench.”
Entering the 2024-25 season with playoff ambitions, the Red Wings still have a chance to make a push, but they need to start improving. After 21 games, they hold a record of 9-10-2, positioning them sixth in the Atlantic Division.
With 20 standings points, they are just three points away from a wild card spot but also a mere three points from the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
“They have to remain competitive,” Dreger commented. “If they have a good homestand, everything should be fine. If they don’t, that might force [Steve] Yzerman to make a decision and the sense is they would go with an interim internal candidate and hope a top coach eventually becomes available.”
Lalonde is certainly feeling the pressure. He started the season as a probable candidate for dismissal, and thus far, he hasn’t done enough to secure his position.
In his 185 games as head coach, he has managed an 85-79-21 record and has failed to lead the team to the playoffs in his first two years.
The Red Wings consider themselves past the rebuilding phase and believe they have the talent to compete in the postseason. A change in coaching could be necessary to steer the team back on track.
Leave a Reply