Detroit Red Wings fire coach Derek Lalonde, announce new contract with Todd McLellan
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 15: Head coach Todd McLellan of the Los Angeles Kings is seen on the bench during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on January 15, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee
(FOX 2) - The Detroit Red Wings have fired their head coach and associate new coach following another disappointing start to the hockey season.
General Manager Steve Yzerman announced that Derek Lalonde and Bob Boughner had been relieved of their duties effective immediately.
In their place, Yzerman said the team had hired Todd McLellan as the new head coach. Additionally, Trent Yawney was hired as the new assistant coach.
The Wings announced the decision on their Instagram.
McLellan will be the team's 29th head coach. Before then, he served as the coach of the Los Angeles Kings for five years before being fired in February of 2024. Before that, he was with the San Jose Sharks, and the Edmonton Oilers.
His hiring is somewhat of a return to the team after he worked as an assistant coach under former head coach Mike Babcock during the team's Stanley Cup win in 2008.
The Wings are off to another slow start this season, starting with a 13-17-4 record and near the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
John Keating, longtime Red Wings and Tigers broadcaster to retire at end of season
During his 45-year career in the field, he was around for some of the most memorable moments in Detroit sports history, including four of the Red Wings' Stanley Cups as well as the Pistons' championship in 2004.