Analyst reveals potential reason why Detroit Red Wings didn't hire former video coach Jay Woodcroft

There's a new head coach in Detroit, and it's a name familiar to Red Wings fans. Todd McLellan was hired as the 29th bench boss in team history, replacing Derek Lalonde after the team started 13-17-4.

While the Red Wings lost their initial game under Lalonde 5-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, there were positives to point toward, and following today's 1st full practice session, they should be better prepared when they face the Washington Capitals tomorrow night (7:00 PM, FanDuel Sports Detroit, 97.1 The Ticket).

There were multiple names that general manager Steve Yzerman could have considered to replace Lalonde, including one that has ties to the Red Wings.

Former video coach Jay Woodcroft, who was part of the Stanley Cup-winning club of 2008 and has worked with McLellan on the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers, remains a coaching free agent.

He was terminated by the Oilers following a horrendous start to last year and was replaced by Kris Knoblauch, who later led the team to within one game of their 1st Stanley Cup win since 1990.

According to analyst Jay Gregor, the Red Wings and other potential suitors for Woodcroft may actually be hesitant to hire him considering how quickly the Oilers were able to reverse their struggles they experienced under him.

Woodcroft was named the head coach of the Oilers after they parted ways with Dave Tippett in 2021. Before his own termination in 2023, he went 79-41-13 in the regular season and 14-14 in the playoffs.