Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Didn’t Make Playoffs . . . But This Guy Did
Fired Detroit coach working as analyst with HNIC
For the ninth successive spring, the NHL playoffs are ongoing without the Detroit Red Wings. However, someone who played a significant role in keeping the Wings out of this spring’s playoffs is actually participating in the NHL postseason.
Derek Lalonde, fired in late December as coach of the Red Wings, is working with Sportsnet’s Hockey Night In Canada panel of analysts on the Eastern Conference series between Atlantic Division rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. And apparently, Red Wings fans aren’t taking it well, seeing the team’s deposed coach pontificating on playoff outcomes.
"He's an absolute menace and an absolute warrior."
Derek Lalonde and @kbieksa3 analyze Brady Tkachuk's first-ever playoff period. pic.twitter.com/ngQfA2ucBW
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 21, 2025
“Derek Lalonde: ‘I like what Ottawa did tonight,'” posted one fan, reacting to Lalonde’s praise for the Senators following their lopsided Game 1 loss to the Maple Leafs. “Sounds like a fitting reaction for a team that lost 6-2.
“It’s a wonder that the Red Wings accomplished nothing with him and got way better as soon as he left.”
Red Wings Were Floundering With Lalonde In Charge
Detroit was 13-17-4 and second-last in the Eastern Conference when Lalonde was dismissed as head coach by GM Steve Yzerman on Dec. 26. Under replacement Todd McLellan, the Red Wings went 26-18-4, nearly rallying to earn an playoff placing.
“Derek Lalonde talking points in trying to pump Ottawa’s tires after a 6-2 loss definitely sounds like a coach who flamed out after his one chance,” posted another X follower. “Comical.”
“I like what Ottawa did tonight” Derek Lalonde … think I’m understanding why he’s on a panel and not coaching right now
— MR. MITCH (@1800ghostman) April 21, 2025
Another post suggested that the only reason Lalonde was on the panel was because he laughs at host Ron MacLean’s jokes.
It’s not the first time that Sportsnet has utilized Lalonde as an intermission panelist on the NHL playoffs. He also did the Toronto-Tampa Bay first-round series two years ago. Prior to being hired by the Red Wings, Lalonde was an assistant coach with the Lightning under Jon Cooper.
Lalonde also was working for Sportsnet as part of the network’s NHL trade deadline coverage in March.
