The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman discusses the respective NHL experience levels of each and every one of this summer’s head coaching hires, and here’s what she has to say about Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde:
Lalonde’s joining a team that’s further along in this [rebuilding] process than [Chicago Blackhawks coach Luke] Richardson. He has an obvious connection to Steve Yzerman who was general manager when he joined Tampa Bay. There’s the pedigree of winning back-to-back Stanley Cups as an assistant with that group that came after head coaching experience at lower development levels, including the USHL and AHL. Lalonde probably doesn’t have the leeway that Jeff Blashill did because the Red Wings’ priorities have shifted as they start pushing closer toward the playoff mix. Instead, there are clear goals like helping the team play consistently, improve defensively, and become a harder team to play against — all of which he seems to be a fit for. Now that this is his bench, their coach can build his identity and voice as a leader, hopefully bringing in some fresh ideas along the way.
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