Could Cup Winner be Next Coach of Red Wings?

An NHL source is telling Hockey Now that the possibility of a coaching change is something that is being pondered by Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman.

According to the source, Yzerman might be considering a change in his coach in the offseason were the Red Wings to continue their free fall out of a Stanley Cup playoff position. And if that is indeed the route he decides to take, the man at the top of the list of desirable candidates on Yzerman’s short list would be former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube.

"You have to manage your roster the best you can.. You want to keep winning and want to play your best hockey. Just take it game to game going into the playoffs."

Craig Berube described the balance of focusing on the games at hand before the playoffs begin#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/bqyStyWeL9

— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) March 22, 2024

Once eight points clear of any jeopardy of missing out on postseason play, the Red Wings today are two points out of the NHL’s final Eastern Conference wild card spot with eight games to play.

Current head coach Derek Lalonde is in the second year of a three-year pact with the club. Certainly, there is cause of concern within the team’s performance. Slow starts and competent puck management and defensive structure remain frequent issues.

Another NHL source was telling Hockey Now that on Friday, Yzerman read the riot act to his coaching staff and players regarding their lackluster performance of late. They followed that up by blowing a third-period lead in a 3-2 shootout loss at Florida. Currently 0-2-2 on a season-high five-game road trip, Detroit completes the journey on Monday at Tampa Bay.

Red Wings Yzerman Not One To Share Thoughts

Of course, it’s well known within Detroit hockey circles that Yzerman is tight-lipped about any moves he’d be considering. Only a select few within his inner circle would be privy to such infomation. Generally, nothing of substance leaks out of Detroit. That being the case, it’s always wise to take any rumors relating to Yzerman and the Red Wings with at minimum a grain of salt.

However, it’s also worth noting that one of Yzerman’s closest friends in the game is Blues GM Doug Armstrong. If Yzerman desires to get in-depth intel on Berube, he’s certainly got access to the best source for that information. As well, current Red Wings players Ville Husso, Jake Walman, David Perron and Robby Fabbri all played for Berube in St. Louis.

Craig Berube on TNT said he thinks Detroit will make the playoffs. I think Berube must think LaLonde will be fired and he’s angling for the job

— Tyler James (@tylerliamjames) March 17, 2024

Berube led the Blues to the 2018-19 Stanley Cup title. The Blues were making the decision to be removing him as St. Louis coach earlier this season. Berube is also someone getting strong consideration for potential coaching vacancies in Ottawa, New Jersey and even Buffalo should the Sabres decide to be moving on from Don Granato.