Longtime Detroit Red Wings insider reveals realistic chances of coaching change
While there has been rampant speculation that the Detroit Red Wings could decide to make a coaching change, one longtime Red Wings beat writer isn't so sure that it will be done any time soon - or at all this year.
The Detroit Red Wings have regressed under head coach Derek Lalonde this year compared to his first pair of years with the team.
This year has featured more of the same kind of frustrating play that led to a stunning 7-straight losses last March that completely took the air from the sails of the Red Wings' ship that was comfortably sailing toward a postseason berth.
Notable examples this year include inexplicable losses to the lottery-bound Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks (in which they got badly outplayed in both), along with an embarrassing loss in the home opener in October against the lowly Pittsburgh Penguins.
While there have been multiple calls for GM Steve Yzerman to follow in the footsteps of the near 20 NHL clubs that have made coaching changes in recent years, longtime Red Wings beat writer Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press doesn't foresee a change coming anytime soon..
General manager Steve Yzerman isn't prone to rash decisions, and he knows better than anyone how much of the issue is the roster, because that's his creation.
The Red Wings are somehow still within striking distance of a playoff spot
The Red Wings broke through last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, earning a 4-2 win in front of a lively atmosphere at Little Caesars Arena.
Right now, they're only 4 points out of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference; two teams ahead of them, the Penguins and New York Islanders, have two games in hand.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 128 ANSWERS Longtime Detroit Red Wings insider reveals realistic chances of coaching change What will your reaction be if Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman sticks with Derek Lalonde for the remainder of the year? | ||
| I support it, Steve Yzerman knows what he's doing | 54 | 42.2 % |
| Not good! It's time to question the Yzerplan! | 74 | 57.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
