Upon his arrival, Todd McLellan revitalized Detroit's spirit, but with the Red Wings sputtering again, can he pull the same trick again?
When Todd McLellan got to Detroit, he spoke about the need to rebuild the struggling Red Wings' confidence and spirit. It made sense that a team in need of a coaching change would need that emotional boost, and McLellan provided it. After dropping his first game behind the bench (having met his team only that morning), McLellan steered Detroit to seven wins in a row on the strength of a newfound confidence and scorching hot power play. Now, the good times are on hold.
Jan 16, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan reacts from the bench against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Amerant Bank ArenaAfter a win over the defending champion Panthers late last week, Detroit's momentum suffered a major setback over the weekend. First, a 5–1 loss to the Lightning, then a 4–1 loss in Dallas. The power play that had been so dominant managed just one goal in nine attempts.
So, now McLellan must pull the same trick (rebuild the Red Wings' sense of belief) for a second time. Only this time around, the challenge will be trickier. Where McLellan could distance himself from the team's struggles before his arrival, now he too has shared in the latest round of suffering.
It was one thing to tell the group to forget a past he wasn't even part of, and the seven straight wins reinforced the idea that that past didn't matter as Detroit climbed the standings. Now, heading into Philadelphia, the Red Wings—currently third to last in the Eastern Conference and six points back of a playoff berth—must revitalize their confidence again. I spoke more about that challenge in the featured video above.
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