Did Detroit Red Wings players just throw shade at Derek Lalonde after sixth straight win?

The Detroit Red Wings have made an amazing turnaround under Todd McLellan, and now players are opening up on how different things have been since that move.

In late December, the Detroit Red Wings fired Derek Lalonde and replaced him with veteran Todd McLellan, and it's turned out to be one of the best moves made by general manager Steve Yzerman.

Since that point, the team has gone 14-4-1, with its latest overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks showing just how much the Red Wings have turned things around, as Alex DeBrincat noted that he was excited for the team to start winning games, even when they aren't at their best.

"We're feeling good. We're able to win games that maybe isn't our best performance," DeBrincat said, via the Hockey News.

On top of that, he seemingly called out former coach LaLonde in the process too, noting that a fresh start was needed, with the team clearly feeling it under their new coach as they are now back into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

"It's great. I think we knew we had it in this room, I think we needed a bit of a fresh start and kind of a restart. It feels like a new season. We're winning games where maybe we haven't played our best and that's what good teams do. We have to keep that up."

When told about the team being back in a wild-card spot, veteran forward Patrick Kane was thrilled, as he too notes that they continue to find ways to win, even when things aren't going exactly according to plan.

"That's awesome. I knew we were one point out coming in, so — big win. It wasn't the prettiest, but huge win for the team. We're finding ways to win right now."

There's still plenty of season left in 2025 before the Stanley Cup playoff, but right now, things are looking good for Detroit. With Todd McLellan leading the way, it appears everyone is optimistic of a return to the postseason after eight long years away.