Maligned Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde pushes back on outside "noise" as frustrating losses pile up
The Detroit Red Wings have lost 6 of 7 games and are barely better than worst place in the East, but Derek Lalonde isn't concerned about the outside "noise".
The Detroit Red Wings were once again thoroughly out hustled, outworked, and badly outshot last night against the Philadelphia Flyers, suffering a 4-1 loss for their 6th winless game in their last 7 outings.
It would be impossible for head coach Derek Lalonde not to be aware of the outside chatter from the frustrated fan base calling for his job.
But after Detroit's latest loss, he is pushing back on what he refers to as the outside "noise".
At times it's pretty good; at times, we need more of it.
However, the things that the Red Wings can control, like beginning games on time, not allowing themselves to be outshot by the opposition by a near 3-1 margin (the Flyers at one point were outshooting the Red Wings 27-11 in the 2nd period of last night's game) are not being adequately controlled.
It's concerning watching players that the Red Wings depend on for leadership and production like Patrick Kane and J.T. Compher appear completely invisible most nights.
How much longer until the outside "noise" becomes too much to ignore?
It's common practice for professional athletes and coaches to not concern themselves with the outside criticism that naturally comes with the territory of their profession.
However, the year for the Red Wings is on the verge of careening like a runaway train off a cliff.
Detroit came within a point of their 1st postseason spot since 2016 last year, losing their chance on the final day of the regular season.
However, it wouldn't have mattered had they been able to beat the hapless Arizona Coyotes even once (they lost twice within two weeks to them) during the listless 7-game losing skid in March.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 108 ANSWERS Maligned Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde pushes back on outside "noise" as frustrating losses pile up Should Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde be more concerned about what he calls the outside "noise"? | ||
| No, every team has to block out outside criticism | 36 | 33.3 % |
| Yes, he should be more concerned | 72 | 66.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
