Todd McLellan Beat Out Another Former Oiler Coach For Detroit Red Wings Coaching Job
Moments ago, the Detroit Red Wings Wings announced the firing of head coach Derek LaLonde, and the hiring of former Oilers coach Todd McLellan as his replacement.
The Detroit Red Wings have been far below expectations this season, and were reportedly also considering Jay Woodcroft for their coaching change.
However, the Red Wings have made the decision to move forward with the more veteran option and the coach with a long playoff history in Todd McLellan.
McLellan began his NHL coaching career as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings in 2005. He was named head coach of the Oilers in the 2015-16 season and was the bench boss for the first years of McDavid's career, before being fired early into the 2018-19 season for Ken Hitchcock.
Todd McLellan Beats out Jay Woodcroft for Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Job
The Red Wings are only 2 points out of last place in the Eastern Conference in a year they expected to take a step towards the playoffs, and the hiring of McLellan hints towards the direction GM Steve Yzerman sees for the team.
McLellan is a veteran coach with a long history of working in the NHL, and leading his teams at least to the playoffs - though he has never won a Stanley Cup as head coach.
Even in Edmonton, McLellan was able to bring a heavily flawed Oilers team 2016-17 to the second round of the playoffs. He's got a track record of being at least able to get to the playoffs, something that Detroit desperately needs.
Hilariously, the Oilers arguably got McLellan fired twice - after losing in the playoffs in Round 1 to Edmonton as coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
So what exactly does this mean for Jay Woodcroft? The former Oilers may be popular among fans, but NHL teams don't seem to be buying Woodcroft stock.
Woodcroft was also passed over for the coaching job of the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this summer, who also went for a more veteran proven option with Dean Evason.
Even with a very respectable record of 79-41-13, Woodcroft is having some difficulty getting back into the NHL circuit.
Fans may have appreciated his candour and inclusion of analytics, but other teams seem to be passing him by repeatedly.
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