Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman sets clear expectation for new HC Todd McLellan

Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman made the decision recently to fire Derek Lalonde and hire longtime coach Todd McLellan in his place. The team is 13-17-4 and in seventh place in the Atlantic Division but it could still contend for a playoff spot.

Last season, the Red Wings only missed the playoffs as a result of a tiebreaker, so they believe they were close to breaking through. After a dismal opening to the season, Yzerman and company had to make the change.

The GM said:

"From what my expectation is, yeah, [the team is] good enough. That's why I made the change. The obvious question is what are my expectations?... At the start of the year, if everything went well, everyone stayed healthy, everybody performed to expectations, I think this group can compete for a wild card spot."

Yzerman believes they aren't there but that they're not far off from it. He claimed a three-game winning streak would be enough to turn the tide on their season.

Yzerman added, per David Alter on X:

“Clearly we aren’t there, hence the change (of head coach).”

The GM also added, per Brad Galli on X:

“Everyone’s frustrated. It’s not like anyone’s not trying to win. You could sense it.”

Yzerman also noted that he felt that this was the best time to make a change. McLellan has had a lot of success in the past, including having the sixth-most wins by any active coach and the 24th most all-time. The expectation laid on him by Yzerman and the Wings is clear: win.

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Red Wings have difficult slate of games for Todd McLellan's first run as head coach

The Detroit Red Wings aren't easing Todd McLellan in. His first game will be against the surging Toronto Maple Leafs, a team coming in with a 21-12-2 record. Things don't get a lot easier after that.

The Red Wings have a tough slate coming up (Imagn)

Next up are the Washington Capitals, a team with 48 points and a sterling 23-9-2 record. After that, the Pittsburgh Penguins are on the schedule. After a rough start, they're currently in a better position than the Wings at 16-15-5.

The Columbus Blue Jackets aren't a daunting foe, but the Winnipeg Jets, who come after Columbus, are. They're currently leading the NHL in points with 51. The first few games of McLellan's tenure will be challenging, and wins might be scarce.

Steve Yzerman wants to see wins and to see his team back in the playoff hunt. It may take some time to get through this tough stretch and to allow McLellan to gel with his new team, though.