Coach Todd McLellan gets brutally honest about working with young Red Wings players
It was a rough situation that Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan inherited from Derek Lalonde - how did he go about making the best of it?
It was a rough situation for new Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan to have to come into in late December after the team parted ways with Derek Lalonde..
The Red Wings were tied for last place in the Eastern Conference with the divisional foe Buffalo Sabres, and appeared completely lethargic, disengaged, and disinterested most nights.
Not only has McLellan gotten the Red Wings to play a more passionate and intense brand of hockey, but they've also rattled off 5-straight victories and gotten themselves in striking distance of a Wild Card postseason spot.
For McLellan, getting to know the younger players like Jonatan Berggren and Marco Kasper came with the territory of taking the new job.
Create relationships, every coach talks about it in every sport, but it's important. You can't just walk in and say, 'Hey I'm Todd, come and sit with me, let's have lunch together.' They don't feel comfortable like that. So you gotta create moments where they let their guard down a little bit, make them feel comfortable.
I always use the analogy if somebody said when I was in school, 'Hey Todd, report to the principal's office,' it usually wasn't a good thing. And you went in there very nervous, so bringing them into my office isn't always a good thing. Although I want them to know that when they come in there, it can be good, but sometimes meeting them on their turf. whether it's on the ice or in the bus or hotel or somewhere makes it a little bit easier - especially for the young ones.
Berggren has responded with a pair of clutch goals for the Red Wings since the coaching change was made, including the game-winner with 36 seconds left last week against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
McLellan has had a positive impact on the Red Wings, and it's showing in the standings.
| POLL |
11 HOURS AGO | 72 ANSWERS Coach Todd McLellan gets brutally honest about working with young Red Wings players Which young Detroit Red Wings player on the roster will have the biggest impact on the rest of this year? |
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