DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings Derek Lalonde was hired by the team to coach their rebuilding squad. They hope the two-time Stanley Cup winner assistant can make the franchise relevant again.
Lalonde has spent the last four years as Jon Cooper’s assistant with the Tampa Bay LightningThis stretch included championships in 2020, ’21, and most recently, a third consecutive trip at the Stanley Cup Final.
General Manager: “He has demonstrated himself as an outstanding coach at every level, and has spent the past four seasons as part of a very profitable program in Tampa Bay in the National Hockey League.” Steve Yzerman In a statement, he said. “We believe he is ready for the next step in the career as the Detroit Red Wings’ head coach.”
Cooper was the Lightning’s GM when he promoted him to his first NHL head coaching job in 2013. Cooper’s active assistant is the first to jump to a job as a head coach in the NHL.
Lalonde stated in a statement that “I’m ready for work with our group.” “The future is bright in Detroit.”
Cooper was 49 when Lalonde won the United States Hockey League title for the Green Bay Gamblers. Before joining the Lightning, he coached in both the ECHL & American Hockey League.
Lalonde has replaced Jeff Blashill. Blashill had the option of joining the team but was unable to do so after seven seasons. Blashill had a percentage of.447 which was the second worst in the league during that period, not counting the first season of expansion. Seattle Kraken.
Yzerman was not forthcoming with much information, but he said that it would be a benefit to get to know the new person in charge.
“Derek has a remarkable resume, especially the work he did with young prospects and players throughout his career,” Chris Ilitch, president and CEO of the Red Wings, stated in a statement. We are excited to have him leading our Red Wings bench. Steve and his team deserve my appreciation for their thorough and thorough search.
After being in the Stanley Cup finals four times and having been in 25 consecutive postseasons, Detroit hasn’t made it to the playoffs in six years. Lalonde is able to lead a turnaround with some of his players.
Veterans Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi Jakub Vrana Proven players are at the top of their game. Lucas RaymondA promising forward, meanwhile, joins them as a rookie.
Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider The defense will be anchored for years to follow, filling an unmet need that hasn’t been filled since. Nicklas Lidstrom A decade ago, he retired.
Yzerman, a Hall of Fame member of the Red Wings has a coach he hand-picked for the first time in his new role as the leader of the once-proud franchise.
After drafting and acquiring talent that turned Tampa Bay into a perennial contender and two-time champion, Yzerman has repeatedly stated it will take time for Detroit to win again. He has also refused to give timelines.
Lalonde will work as fast as possible to fix the Red Wings’ problems next season, aiming to achieve relative stability, after Blashill had coached them in recent years with job uncertainty.