One year later: Todd McLellan fuels Detroit Red Wings’ turnaround and playoff hopes

DETROIT – What a difference a year makes for the Detroit Red Wings.

It was just past noon on Dec. 26, 2024, the Red Wings announced the departure of head coach Derek Lalonde and top defensive assistant Bob Boughner, a little over two years after Lalonde replaced Jeff Blashill.

Lalonde was chosen by Steve Yzerman, who had previously worked with him when Lalonde was an assistant coach under Yzerman’s management of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Wings won 35 games in Lalonde’s first season (2022-23) and improved to 41 wins the next year, just missing the playoffs.

However, the team struggled to maintain that momentum at the start of the 2024-25 season, leaving the outlook bleak by Christmas.

Yzerman decided an immediate change was needed and brought in Todd McLellan, who arrived with assistant coach Trent Yawney.

McLellan had been an assistant coach in Detroit from 2005-08 and went on to lead the San Jose Sharks (2008-15), Edmonton Oilers (2015-18), and Los Angeles Kings (2019-24).

McLellan coached his first game, a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, after just one morning skate with the team, delivering a simple message to his players: “Play hockey.”

This call to trust instinct over mechanical play sparked better results.

While there have been many ups and downs since McLellan took over, that message has made a noticeable impact.

A year ago, Detroit entered the holiday break second from last in the Eastern Conference.

In 2025, the Red Wings are not only atop the Atlantic Division but also tied for first overall in the Eastern Conference with the Carolina Hurricanes, who will be their next opponent tomorrow night (Dec. 27).

After Detroit’s win over the Dallas Stars on Dec. 23, McLellan reflected on the team’s progress compared to last year, while acknowledging there is still work ahead.

“To this point, it has to feel really good for the franchise and the fans. We’re winning more than we’re losing,” he said. “But again, there is a lot of runway in front of us and a lot of road work we have to do.”

Since assuming the head coach role 86 games ago, McLellan has achieved a 48-31-7 record.

Although much of the season remains, talk of the playoffs is gaining momentum, and hope is rising that Detroit’s nine-year playoff drought may soon end.

“Last year, we got booed off the ice all three periods. It was a negative place, where we were down,” Captain Dylan Larkin said. “...I would give Todd a lot of credit for a full year now, and I’m sure he’ll tell you it’s just a start.”