Red Wings had to resolve contract issue before hiring Todd McLellan

LeBrun wrote:

“McLellan was still getting paid $5.5M by the Kings this season on the last year of that contract. The Kings and Red Wings were negotiating this morning on how that would get taken care of as part of McLellan signing a new deal with Detroit.”

McLellan’s hiring comes shortly after the Red Wings dismissed Derek Lalonde, reflecting the organization’s urgency to turn things around. While outside the playoff picture, Detroit is hoping to push for playoff contention. Bringing in McLellan — a big name with a hefty contract — demonstrates a commitment to winning. He is known for his extensive NHL coaching experience and playoff appearances.

The Red Wings went big to get a new coach

Some fans might have wondered why it took so long for Detroit to make a change. Part of that could be ownership’s hesitancy to make a change mid-season. But when it finally pulled the trigger, the organization went big.

McLellan is known for holding players accountable but being a player’s coach as he does so. 

“I think he’s a great coach,” Cam Talbot said of the hire. “I love playing for him … I’ve loved Todd ever since I was back in Edmonton. He’s extremely detailed. Knows when to push, knows when to pull back. He’s really good about that. He’s a good communicator.”

The complexities of NHL coaching contracts clearly factored into all of this and the timing of the change. The Red Wings needed to resolve financial obligations — something the Columbus Blue Jackets were reportedly trying to do this offseason but couldn’t. In this case, the Kings and Red Wings worked out terms that allowed Detroit to move forward with McLellan while satisfying any remaining financial commitments owed by Los Angeles.

We’ll see if the move pays off. As for McLellan, it’s a nice belated Christmas present. He gets a huge chunk of the money he’s owed in L.A. and also a nice gig as a head coach on an original six NHL team with some solid young talent.