The Free Press’s Helene St. James wonders whether Red Wings coach Todd McLellan’s job is safe given that Steve Yzerman’s stepping down as the Red Wings’ GM:
McLellan, 58, has coached the Wings since Yzerman brought him in to replace Derek Lalonde on Dec. 26, 2024. The Wings were in such a poor state, “the spirit was zapped out,” Yzerman said.
Under McLellan, the Wings went on to win seven of their next eight games and strung together another seven-game winning streak again in late January-early February. Ultimately in 48 games under McLellan, the Wings went 26-18-4, with 56 points.
There were greater expectations going into last season, his first full one as coach. The Wings looked in great shape at the Christmas break at 22-13-3, leading the Atlantic Division and tied with the Carolina Hurricanes atop the Eastern Conference. A month later the Wings were 32-16-5, still leading the Atlantic, still tied for first in the conference. Even going into the Olympic break on Feb. 4, they were third in the Atlantic.
But the Wings folded again in March, and missed the playoffs for a 10th straight season. There was no question under Yzerman that McLellan’s job was not safe.
That isn’t likely to change. McLellan has preached mental toughness and game management since his first day on the job. That some players struggle with it is a reflection on them.
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McLellan is still under contract, for $4 million annually, for two more years. Letting him go would leave the Wings on the hook for the money.
Combine that with how hard he’s pushed the Wings to be a more competitive team, he’s overall standing as a well-respected coach, and it is most likely that when a new GM arrives, he’ll keep McLellan and see what he does in his second full season with the Wings.
Continued (paywall); McLellan’s part of the solution, not the problem.
