Is recently-fired Red Wings HC Derek Lalonde a good assistant coach hire for Maple Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs hired ex-Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde as an assistant to Craig Berube’s staff for next season, the team announced on Friday.

The move comes on the heels of former assistant Lane Lambert getting the bench boss role with the Seattle Kraken earlier this week. As such, the Maple Leafs had a vacancy on their staff, quickly moving to fill the void with Lalonde.

Lalonde has extensive coaching experience at various levels, reaching the NHL as an assistant under Jon Cooper with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lalonde was part of the staff that went to three straight Stanley Cup Finals, winning twice.

He then got his big break, being named head coach of the Red Wings in June of 2022. Unfortunately, a dismal start to this past season led to Lalonde’s dismissal from the Red Wings in favor of Todd McLellan.

So, the question begs: Is Derek Lalonde a good fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The short answer is yes. Lalonde’s coaching experience, while relatively limited at the NHL level, is a good fit for the Leafs this upcoming season. He’s the type of coach that fits into Berube’s old-school philosophy.

Moreover, Lalonde could support Berube in the day-to-day operations of the team, as Berube is expected to have an expanded role with the team’s front office this upcoming season.

The Leafs did well to pluck another coaching staff member with plenty of Stanley Cup experience, as the team looks to change its DNA next season.

Derek Lalonde another step in changing Maple Leafs’ DNA

Lalonde was the bench boss in Detroit for parts of three seasons - Source: Imagn

Earlier this offseason, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving discussed changing the team’s DNA heading into next season.

The phrase, which is well-traveled by now, has opened the door to plenty of speculation about what such changes would entail.

It’s worth pointing out that the Leafs didn’t mean to move on from Lane Lambert. Lambert was merely fortunate enough to get another kick at the head coaching can after spending parts of two seasons as the New York Islanders bench boss.

Lambert’s departure opened the door for the Leafs to bring in a new voice that could alter the way the team works next season. Lalonde knows what it takes to win Stanley Cups as Craig Berube does. Consequently, Lalonde’s arrival is another sign that the team wants to surround its players with proven winners.

While some might signal Lalonde’s lack of success in Detroit as a drawback, it’s clear that Toronto and Detroit are in two completely different places.

The Red Wings are mired in their ongoing rebuild while the Leafs are among the league’s Stanley Cup contenders. Leafs Nation can only hope that Lalonde’s influence will help in getting the team over the hump next season.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan