Detroit Red Wings First Year Under Todd McLellan

The Detroit Red Wings are in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 21-13-3. Head coach of the Red Wings, Todd McLellan, has been the head coach of the team for one year. The Red Wings have a record of 47-31-7 under McLellan. What is the difference between the Red Wings under McLellan and the Red Wings under former head coach Derek Lalonde? The Red Wings are looking to make it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons.

Previously, McLellan’s message was blunt, if not helpful, from the start of his tenure as head coach of the Red Wings. “Play f—ing hockey.  You’ve done it your whole lives!” said McLellan during his first practice as head coach of the team. Perhaps this message was what the Red Wings needed to hear, as criticism of Lalonde’s dressing room was that it was too quiet. To be fair to Lalonde, this was his first experience as a head coach in the NHL. Lalonde is now an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Todd McLellan Says Seider is Defending Well

Recently, one Red Wing who has grown into a superstar under Todd McLellan is defenseman Moritz Seider. Seider is the best defenseman on the Red Wings and is responsible for playing against the Red Wings’ best offensive players night in and night out. The challenge has been trying to find a defensive partner for Seider. This led to speculation that the Red Wings could acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. However, Hughes was recently traded to the Minnesota Wild for a shocking return.