Former Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde, who joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach, wasn't brought back by the club.
There was a significant change behind the bench for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a key Original Six rival of the Detroit Red Wings and a fellow member of the Atlantic Division.
The club not only parted ways with head coach Craig Berube and replaced him with former Red Wings assistant coach Jim Hiller, but new general manager John Chayka has also moved on from another familiar name to Detroit fans.
Former Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde, who was dismissed by Detroit in December 2024 before joining the Maple Leafs as an assistant coach, was not retained by Toronto. Additionally, assistant coach Mike Van Ryn was also let go by the organization.
Speaking of former Red Wings, forward Daniel Alfredsson, who spent the final season of his NHL career in the Winged Wheel in 2013-14, is now with Toronto as an assistant coach.
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Before officially succeeding Jeff Blashill behind the bench in Detroit, Lalonde spent several seasons as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, including during Steve Yzerman’s tenure as general manager.
Just over three years after returning to the Red Wings as GM in April 2019, Yzerman made Lalonde his first head coaching hire in Detroit.
Lalonde’s first season behind the Detroit bench ended with the Red Wings posting a 35-37-10 record and missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The following year, Detroit made a late push and remained in playoff contention until the final day of the regular season, ultimately falling short after losing a tiebreaker to the Washington Capitals.
However, after the Red Wings opened the 2024-25 campaign with a subpar 13-17-4 mark, Yzerman dismissed Lalonde along with assistant coach Bob Boughner before hiring Todd McLellan and Trent Yawney.
Lalonde finished his time as Detroit’s head coach with an overall record of 89-86-23.
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