Derek Lalonde landing spots: 3 NHL teams which would benefit from hiring ex-Red Wings coach

The Detroit Red Wings fired head coach Derek Lalonde amid a tailspin, according to the Associated Press. The Red Wings are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and riding a three-game losing streak.

In his place, the Red Wings hired Todd McLellan, whose name had been circulating around the league. McLellan was a finalist for various coaching vacancies this summer but was not chosen. Now, he will be tasked with turning a disappointing season around for Detroit.

Meanwhile, Derek Lalonde will likely seek another opportunity in the NHL. Here are three teams that could potentially benefit from hiring the former Red Wings coach.

3 NHL teams which would benefit from hiring Derek Lalonde

#3. San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are a rebuilding team and have one of the youngest head coaches in the league, David Warsofsky. An experienced coach like Derek Lalonde could provide valuable support as an assistant.

Lalonde served as an assistant under Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay, where the Lightning won two Stanley Cups. If things don’t work out for Warsofsky, the Sharks would already have an interim coach ready to step in if needed.

#2. Chicago Blackhawks

Speaking of interim coaches, the Chicago Blackhawks fired Luke Richardson earlier this season and promoted Anders Sorensen to interim head coach. While Sorensen has experience as an assistant, he could benefit from additional support from a seasoned coach like Lalonde.

Similar to the Sharks, the Blackhawks could use Lalonde’s experience as both a potential assistant coach and a backup option should Sorensen prove unsuitable for the head coaching role.

#1. Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins shocked the NHL by firing Jim Montgomery amid a disappointing start to the season. Joe Sacco was named interim coach in Montgomery’s place. Although Sacco has helped spark a turnaround for the Bruins, additional support from experienced assistants could be beneficial.

Lalonde could bring his Stanley Cup experience from Tampa Bay to Boston and help rebuild the winning attitude the Bruins have shown over most of the past decade. While Lalonde could step into a head coaching role if necessary, the Bruins would still gain from his hockey smarts and tactical sense as an assistant.

Ultimately, it’s tough to envision Lalonde stepping directly into a full-time NHL head coaching role at this point. He may need to spend time in the AHL to regain his footing as a head coach before earning another shot at the NHL level.