Steve Yzerman Reportedly Considering Firing Head Coach Derek Lalonde
The Detroit Red Wings have had a disappointing season as they've fallen out of a playoff spot in the second half. Now general manager Steve Yzerman is considering relieving head coach Derek Lalonde of his duties.
This information comes curtesy of Detroit Hockey Now reporter Bob Duff. He reported today that Yzerman is considering making a change at the head coach position. Given the team's play since the All-Star break, this is not particularly surprising. Given where the team was at earlier in the season, failing to make the playoffs should be seen as a failure on the coahcing staff's part.
#LGRW #RedWings
Interestingly, CSKA Moscow of the KHL just announced a few days ago that they have parted ways with head coach Sergei Fedorov. Fedorov is an all-time great Red Wing, having spent much of his career with the team. He could be a potential option to replace Lalonde should Yzerman feel the change is necessary.
Fan pressure builds for Yzerman to replace head coach
At the same time, Red Wings fans are growing increasingly impatient with the team's front office. One particular complaint has been about the coaching staff, with Lalonde taking the brunt of the blame as head coach. Many fans have pointed out his usage of the team's defenseman doesn't make much sense.
Other fans have blamed him for the fact that the team has fallen out of the playoffs. The team's recent seven-game losing streak put a few more nails in the coffin. Notably, the team was without their captain Dylan Larkin for a long stretch, but it ultimately falls on the coaching staff to find ways to win in the absence of such a player. After all, the loss of a single player should not be the difference between making the playoffs or not. Especially considering the fact that the Red Wings signed Patrick Kane, who has been very good for them.
I think he has a lot of blame on his shoulders. The losing streak was full-stop unacceptable and that falls on him. Larkin missing extended time was not ideal but the team can't just wilt w/o him.
Source BladeofSteel: Detroit Red Wings and Steve Yzerman may fire coach
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 1 | 84 ANSWERS Steve Yzerman Reportedly Considering Firing Head Coach Derek Lalonde Do you think Steve Yzerman should fire Derek Lalonde before next season starts? | ||
| Yes | 56 | 66.7 % |
| No | 28 | 33.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mikko Rantanen | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jake Debrusk | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Connor McDavid | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Brock Nelson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jonathan Drouin | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Roman Josi | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kirill Marchenko | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kyle Palmieri | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Evan Bouchard | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matt Duchene | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Samuel Girard | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 20 | 17 | 3 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||