Lalonde faces increased pressure with Red Wings
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde faces increased pressure in his third year, as coaches without playoff berths often endure more scrutiny.
Despite guiding the Red Wings to an 11-point improvement and falling just one point short of the playoffs, the team's defensive issues persisted. Detroit ranked 25th in goals-against and 26th in shots allowed, mirroring their defensive struggles from Lalonde's first season. General Manager Steve Yzerman emphasized the need for improved defensive performance, placing accountability on the coaching staff. Yzerman expects a more rigorous defensive strategy, although there's no explicit threat of termination.
Additionally, several players will need to step up for the 2024-25 season. Alex DeBrincat, who scored 27 goals last season, is expected to improve after a less productive second half. Simon Edvinsson, drafted 6th overall, must prove he's ready for a regular NHL role, showing significant progress in his play. Vladimir Tarasenko was acquired to offset lost scoring, and the goalies�Ville Husso, Lyon, Talbot, and Campbell�must demonstrate greater consistency to bolster the team's performance.
Source: Yardbarker
State of the Red Wings: Lalonde Has Added Pressure
| POLL | ||
Which aspect of the Red Wings' team do you think needs the most improvement? | ||
| Defensive performance | 40 | 62.5 % |
| Alex DeBrincat's scoring | 4 | 6.3 % |
| Simon Edvinsson's development | 0 | 0 % |
| Goalie consistency | 20 | 31.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
