From The Silky Mitten State: How secure is Derek Lalonde's job after Detroit missed the postseason?

After the Red Wings missed the postseason in disappointing fashion, many Detroit fans were quick to suggest that coach Derek Lalonde should not be allowed to stay on for the third year of the contract he signed with the team two summers ago.

At his end-of-year presser, GM Steve Yzerman was quick and unambiguous in dismissing this suggestion, saying that "there is no lingering question" as to Lalonde's job security.

"Not from me," Yzerman continued. "I think we competed hard. I thought there was a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm, and a lot of determination amongst the players. Obviously we weren't perfect, but the most important thing I feel from my vantage point is that our players are motivated, our players are determined, there's a good atmosphere within the locker room, and part of that is the coaching staff helps foster that or create that. So overall, I'm happy with the direction we're going, the coaching we have."

On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, my co-host Connor Earegood and I discussed Lalonde's job security.  While neither of us would say it was a perfect season behind the bench from Lalonde, we were in agreement that firing Lalonde would be rash and unjustified by the Red Wings' '23-24 season.  That might be a different conversation if Detroit fails to qualify for the '25 postseason, but at least for now, Lalonde has clearly continued to push the Red Wings toward progress—providing the team with a sense of tactical identity and improved results.

For an excerpt of that conversation, check out the video featured above. For the full episode, go to Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

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