Ex-Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan is back leading an NHL team
A name Edmonton Oilers fans will recognize has landed a new NHL head coaching job.
Todd McLellan, who coached the Oilers for over three seasons in the 2010s, was hired by the Detroit Red Wings. He replaces Derek Lalonde, who was relieved of his duties earlier today.
McLellan was behind the Oilers bench for 266 games from the 2015-16 season to midway through the 2018-19 season. He led the team to the postseason once, where they lost in the second round to the Anaheim Ducks.
When he signed with the Oilers, he briefly became the highest-paid coach in NHL history, although he was quickly surpassed by Mike Babcock with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Oilers eventually fired McLellan and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock.
The Saskatchewan native has also coached the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. He’s an experienced leader with over 1,000 NHL games under his belt.
The Detroit Red Wings announce that Derek Lalonde has been relieved of head coaching duties, while naming Todd McLellan the 29th head coach in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/ud41PhAT1J
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2024
The now 57-year-old played five NHL games for the New York Islanders back in the late 1980s. His first NHL coaching gig was with the Sharks, and he helped lead them to six straight playoff appearances, proving his skill in leading a team.
The last time McLellan had an NHL head coaching job was with the Los Angeles Kings last season. He was let go of that role during the spring of 2o24.
The Red Wings situation that McLellan is entering will have its own set of challenges. They are seventh in the Atlantic Division and have been rebuilding for some time now. The last time they made the postseason was back in 2016, so their drought is nearing a decade long.
There are some good players on the roster. Dylan Larkin is a strong two-way centre who has consistently scored near the 70-point mark for the last three seasons. In addition, Moritz Seider is an exciting young defenceman who oozes potential. McLellan must get the most from them and others to succeed with the Red Wings.