Derek Lalonde, the former head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, spoke out for the first time on Saturday night after being fired earlier that week. Lalonde, who was let go on Thursday after the team’s 13-17-4 start to the season, thanked the organization for the opportunity to coach and expressed hope for the team’s future. “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity,” Lalonde said in a statement aired during Sportsnet’s “Saturday Headlines” segment. He also expressed his gratitude to general manager Steve Yzerman and mentioned how passionate Red Wings fans are, saying they will be rewarded with the team’s future success.
Lalonde became the Red Wings’ head coach in 2022, with the goal of helping the team improve and reach the playoffs. Last season, Detroit missed the playoffs by a small margin, extending their playoff drought to eight years. However, with the team struggling in the early part of the 2024-25 season, Yzerman decided to make a change. Yzerman pointed to the growing frustration among both players and staff as a big reason for the decision. “It’s not that they’re not trying to win,” Yzerman said, “but you could see the frustration in the players.”
Todd McLellan, a veteran coach, was named Lalonde’s replacement and made his debut behind the bench on Friday in a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. His next game was scheduled for Saturday against the Washington Capitals. Though McLellan’s start was tough, the Red Wings are hopeful for a fresh start. Lalonde, despite his departure, remains positive about the team’s future and believes they have a solid foundation moving forward.
