The Detroit Red Wings turned to a familiar and successful face in making a coaching change.
Todd McLellan was named head coach of the Wings Thursday, on the third day of the NHL break, simultaneously with head coach Derek Lalonde and assistant coach Bob Boughner being relived of duties.
McLellan’s first game will be Friday, when the Wings host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Wings head into that game having – so the franchise hopes – reached a nadir with losing, 4-0, to the St. Louis Blues on Monday, part of a three-game losing streak.
McClellan knows Detroit
McLellan, 57, takes over a team that has struggled far more than expected even though general manager Steve Yzerman did not upgrade the team during the off-season. The list of players who have disappointed and underperformed is long, starting with Vladimir Tarasenko, who is on track for 10 goals as a return on making $4.75 million this season and next.
McLellan was in charge of the team’s forwards and the power play during his tenure as an assistant. His stint with the Wings – who back then boasted a defense that numbered Nicklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall, and a forward group headlined by Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk – launched McLellan onto a successful NHL head coaching career.
On June 11, 2008, the San Jose Sharks tabbed McLellan to become their new coach. He would end up the coach for the Western Conference All-Star team and lead the Sharks to their first Presidents’ Trophy with an NHL-leading 117 points to finish the regular season and finished third in voting for that season’s Jack Adams Award as coach of the year.
After the Sharks missed the playoffs in the 2015, McLellan and the Sharks agreed to mutually part ways on April 20. McLellan next coached the Canadian national team at the 2015 World Championship, where the team won gold with a perfect 10–0 record.[
More:Detroit Red Wings fire coach Derek Lalonde, replace him with assistant Todd McLellan
Stops in Edmonton, LA
In May 2015, McLellan was named head coach of the then-rebuilding Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers replaced McLellan in November 2018.
From there, McLellan was named head coach of the Los Angeles Kings in April 2019, a job he held until he was let go on Feb. 2, 2024.
McLellan’s head coaching record in the NHL is 598-412-134, with nine playoff appearances.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
After the recent firing of Jeff Blashill, the Detroit Red Wings have named Todd McLellan as their new head coach. But who exactly is Todd McLellan?
McLellan, a seasoned NHL coach, brings a wealth of experience to the Red Wings. He previously served as the head coach for the San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers, making multiple playoff appearances with both teams.
Known for his strategic mindset and ability to develop young talent, McLellan is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Red Wings’ roster. With a strong track record of success, fans are hopeful that McLellan can lead the team back to their former glory.
Stay tuned as we follow Todd McLellan’s journey with the Detroit Red Wings and see how he transforms the team in the upcoming season.
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