Red Wings HC Derek Lalonde Next to be Fired?

Could the Detroit Red Wings be in the market for a new head coach soon?

Mar 28, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde looks on from behind the bench against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images / James Guillory-Imagn Images

This season feels like a make-or-break year for the Detroit Red Wings, in more ways than one.

One of the NHL's most-storied franchises, Detroit has missed the playoffs for eight seasons in a row, the longest drought in team history. The Red Wings came oh so close to ending that drought last season, losing the final wild card spot to the Washington Capitals via tiebreaker.

Afte coming that close last season, the expectation is to finish the job this time. If not, then there will be serious questions about the team's leadership.

Maybe that's an understatement, though, as there are already some questions out there. The Athletic's NHL staff recently made predictions for the upcoming season, including who will be the first head coach fired. Detroit's Derek Lalonde received 21.4 percent of the vote, tied with Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan for the most votes.

Lalonde, 52, came to Detroit after four years as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In two seasons, he has a 76-69-19 record behind the Red Wings' bench.

The Brasher Falls, New York native is in the final season of his three-year contract, so if he starts the season poorly, he could be on his way out soon.

Detroit fans are among the most-passionate in the league, but as previously mentioned, they haven't had much to celebrate over the past several years. They've remained patient over general manager Steve Yzerman's first few years in charge, but that patience is now waning. Another season without a playoff appearance could very well cause some heads to roll in Motor City.

For the sake of Lalonde, and potentially others, a playoff berth is almost a necessity.

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