The Daily: You’ll Never Guess The Last Red Wings Coach To Lose His Debut

Derek Lalonde was continuing a 20-year trend of success for newly-hired Detroit Red Wings coaches when he guided the team to victory in his debut behind the Detroit bench. Friday’s 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens was making Lalonde the fourth successive Red Wings coach to open his ledger with the team on a successful note.

“The National Hockey League probably exposed my lack of depth in the wardrobe department.”

Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde is keeping argyle sweater vests in business.

📺: https://t.co/T83DGyxhdx pic.twitter.com/uJWo08WGdk

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) October 16, 2022

Even the much-maligned Jeff Blashill would be turning in a successful debut and like Lalonde, he did so via shutout. Blashill guided the Red Wings to a 4-0 victory over Toronto in 2015.

Mike Babcock began his Detroit days by whipping the St. Louis Blues 5-1 in 2005. And Dave Lewis was guiding the Red Wings to a 6-3 win at San Jose in 2002.

The last Detroit coach to fail to win his debut was Scotty Bowman. The Hall of Famer and nine-time Stanley Cup-winning coach’s first game behind the Red Wings bench was a 6-4 loss at Dallas in 1993.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The re-invention of Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta
• Simon Edvinsson is off to a fast start with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins
• Ranking the greatest Elmers not named Soderblom
• Newsy Lalonde wins in Detroit 88 years apart

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: Why his linemates are taking a lot of the draws when Sidney Crosby is on the ice. Pittsburgh Penguins

Boston: The Bruins were showing off a surprise participant in practice on the weekend – injured forward Brad Marchand. Boston Bruins

Montreal: It’s time the Canadiens were giving more ice time to #1 overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky. Montreal Canadiens

Calgary: Backup goalie Dan Vladar was a surprise starter for the Flames in Saturday’s Battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers. Calgary Flames

Philadelphia: It’s a good time to be a Philadelphia fan. The Flyers, Eagles and Phillies are all winning. Philadelphia Flyers

Washington: Signing free-agent forward Sonny Milano, the Capitals were assigning him to the AHL Hershey Bears. Washington Capitals

Florida: Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov are steady old hands in Florida. Florida Panthers

Islanders: Looking to make his mark with the Islanders, forward Oliver Wahlstrom scored a goal in his season debut on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks. New York Islanders

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Colorado: An NHL investigation found no evidence of allegations of misconduct leveled against former Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Colorado Avalanche

Dallas: Once a teenager in the NHL himself, Tyler Seguin is mentoring youg Dallas teammate Wyatt Johnston. Dallas Stars

Vegas: Seattle Kraken goalie Martin Jones was pulled for the ninth time in 13 career games against the Golden Knights. Vegas Golden Knights

San Jose: For only the third time in franchise history, the Sharks are off to an 0-4 start. San Jose Sharks