HC Craig Berube makes his feelings known on facing Red Wings after Todd McLellan hiring

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube shared his thoughts before Saturday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. Berube said the Red Wings will be motivated under new coach Todd McLellan.

"They want to impress the coach (McLellan), you know, for sure. And a little bit of a new lease on hockey life," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of the Red Wings' players. [7:00]

Berube also praised Detroit’s talent:

"They're a talented team over there. We all know that. We've talked about it before. A lot of good players over there. And we expect a very hard game tonight."

Todd McLellan will coach the Red Wings (13-17-4) for the first time. He replaced Derek Lalonde on Thursday. McLellan was an assistant coach with Detroit from 2005 to 2008 and won the Stanley Cup in 2008. Detroit has lost three straight games and hopes McLellan can help turn their season around.

The Maple Leafs (21-12-2) are dealing with their issues. Captain Auston Matthews is out with an upper-body injury and will miss at least four more games. Toronto recalled goaltender Matt Murray, who recently earned his first NHL win in two years.

Toronto has a 7-6-2 away record, while Detroit is 7-9-2 at home. Both teams need a win, and fans can expect a competitive game.

Todd McLellan has been hired at a critical juncture by the Detroit Red Wings

Todd McLellan signed a multiyear contract and is stepping into the role during a tough season for the team. He said he had never been in this situation before and needed to avoid overreacting with the players.

"I've never been in this situation before," McLellan said on Friday, per NHL.com, "I've been the guy kicked out the door, unfortunately, but I've never come in at this time. I know I can't overreact, over teach and over meet with the players - it would just be too much."

McLellan has coached the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, with a record of 598-412-134 in regular-season games and 42-46 in the playoffs.

McLellan was an assistant coach with the Red Wings from 2005-2008 and won the Stanley Cup in 2008.

The Red Wings have lost three straight games. They have struggled with scoring, defense and penalty-killing. The team has not made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. McLellan mentioned that he and his staff will not make major changes immediately. He asked the players to play harder, faster and smarter.

Lalonde, who was 89-86-23 with Detroit, is the fourth NHL coach fired this season.