NHL GM Thinks Former Red Wings Star Would be Ideal NHL Coach

Speaking with the Russian website Sport-Express, New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello was touching on a number of subjects, including one which might be of interest to Detroit Red Wings fans.

Lamoriello thinks there’s a former Red Wings icon currently in Russia who’s ready to be an NHL head coach. And no, it isn’t Sergei Fedorov.

The Islanders GM is certain that were he to pursue it, Igor Larionov would be the NHL’s first Russian-born and trained NHL head coach.

Igor Larionov always tries something new. pic.twitter.com/mm8iwx5xo8

— KHL (@khl_eng) January 10, 2024

“I think he could become a head coach in the NHL right now if he wanted to and was interested in it,” Lamoriello told Sport-Express columnist Igor Rabiner. “There is a reason why they call him the Professor.

“Larionov is extremely smart, his hockey sense is off the charts. He knows and sees the game, he loves working with young hockey players. And with those who are older.”

Currently, Larionov is in his third season in charge of Torpedo of the KHL. The team is in eighth place in the KHL’s Western Conference, holding down the final playoff position.

Age Not A Factor For Former Red Wings Star

Still running the Islanders at the age of 82, Lamoriello doesn’t think for a second that Larionov’s age – he turned 64 on Dec. 3 – would work against his chances of running an NHL bench.

“It’s just a number, nothing more,” Lamoriello said. “There’s nothing in hockey that Igor couldn’t achieve if he wanted to.

“He has it all, from intelligence, to common sense, to being a good person who cares about the people around him and can communicate with them.”

1988 – Soviet "Green Unit" displaying their skills in an exhibition game against Japan. Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov, Sergei Makarov, Slava Fetisov, Alexei Kasatonov (YT: Old Stager) pic.twitter.com/096sPU9tYR

— Hogamadog (@hogamadog) November 1, 2024

Last summer, Larionov did indicate that an NHL team had approached him regarding a coaching position. He didn’t say if it was as a head coach, or which team it was that contacted him.

Derek Lalonde’s contract up at season’s end. There’s always a chance that the Red Wings could be in the market for a new coach next summer.