Red Wings Going Back to School

The Detroit Red Wings, a team in desperate search of respect, is making like Rodney Dangerfield and going back to school.

That’s what it felt like Saturday as they were practising for the first time under new head coach Todd McLellan. It was just like a bunch of kids in their initial classroom setting with a new teacher.

Saturday work pic.twitter.com/BmuuMozxdD

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 28, 2024

“Yeah, I think you’re learning off each other, right?” Red Wings forward Patrick Kane said. “Like, he’s learning about us, we’re learning about him.”

School is definitely in session and the only hope right now is that the Red Wings are going to prove to be quick learners in less than ideal conditions.

McLellan was behind the bench for the first time on Friday without ever holding a single practice with his team. Not surprisingly, it didn’t turn out well. Detroit lost 5-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

No Prep Time To Prepare Red Wings For Change

Usually, a coaching staff gets three months of summer to prep for the first day of camp. McLellan and his staff were given three hours of prep time before taking the ice on Saturday.

“We don’t have as a staff the summer to play for it and we don’t have the time to work on everything,” McLellan said. “Behind the scenes we’re trying to work off computers where we have a lot of information stored.

"The group was attentive, they asked good questions."

Hear from Todd McLellan & more following today's practice » https://t.co/OfYqNkIWzE pic.twitter.com/5VNn88Tmfy

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 28, 2024

He’s seeking to implement many of the same systems that he was utilizing in previous coaching stints in Los Angeles and Edmonton.

“The on-ice part of it was good,,” McLellan said. “We targeted two areas we thought we needed to work on. The group was attentive, they asked good questions. That was a good sign.

“The risk we have is making them more mechanical because they start thinking. But we have to implement some things we want to change. It’s the only way it can happen.”

Differences In Style Quickly Emerging

McLellan is a different person that Derek Lalonde, the coach he replaced. And his coaching style is also clearly different. He carries an imposing presence. McLellan gets his point across loud and clear.

“He’s definitely addressing a lot of stuff out there and he’s pulling guys aside and giving them little tidbits or different things that he wants to see,” defenseman Justin Holl said. “And yeah, he’s been very vocal. I think he’s trying to establish himself and establish his culture and his presence.”

It may be midseason, but this is an audition for every player wearing the winged wheel.

“It’s a blank slate for everybody,” Holl said. “We’re going to make our own decisions, we’re going to do our own evaluation process.

“And it’s a competitive environment for everyone, both competing against the other team and competing against your teammates in practice to show that you’re one of the guys.

“So it’s definitely a new chapter.”

A page that definitely needed turning.