James Guillory-Imagn Images

Hockey Night in Canada Broadcaster Hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs to Join Coaching Staff

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 6:45 PM ET

Derek Lalonde was fired by the Detroit Red Wings during the 2024/25 campaign, and he's not been without work long as he's now a new assistant in Toronto.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have once again had one of their key assistants poached by a rival team this off-season, this time as Lane Lambert departed to become the new Head Coach of the Seattle Kraken.

That's left a major hole on the coaching staff, and once again, they've filled it with a big time name, as the team announced on social media on Friday that they have officially hired Derek Lalonde as a new assistant.

This comes after the 52-year old's tenure in Detroit came to an end this past season, as he was fired following a 13-17-4 start to the season, ending three years as Head Coach of the Red Wings where he combined for a 89-86-23 record with the team, failing to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in all three seasons.

While his tenure there didn't end in stellar fashion, Lalonde is still a highly respected coach around the NHL after stints in the ECHL and the AHL before becoming an assistant with the Maple Leafs rival Tampa Bay Lightning.

During his time before and after coaching the Red Wings, Lalonde has also appeared as an analyst on Hockey Night in Canada, providing his unique insight on the game to fans, showing exactly why he's so highly regarded around the league.

Historically speaking, assistants in Toronto always usually get poached by opposing teams, and over the last few years, we've seen a lot of movement on the Maple Leafs coaching staff, so whether Lalonde is using this as a launch pad to another Head Coach role or he wants to remain in Toronto long-term, it's a good hire for Brad Treliving and the organization.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: