Jeremy Laura: Detroit swept in California after 5-4 OT loss to Sharks

If lalonde is still the coach on Thursday. Then it might be time to fire the GM. This team plays with absolutely no heart and Gustafson playing over Johansson is a crime against coaching. Lalonde must go.

Agree 100 % !!!

It all stems from the blue line deficiencies, but this should still not be a bottom five team and they are flirting with that territory.

It all stems from the blue line deficiencies, but this should still not be a bottom five team and they are flirting with that territory.

As bad as the blueline is, I really disagree that the problem "stems" from there. The root of the problem is the system. Adding a couple of decent defensemen is not going to make this team good.

Consider that Hronek, Walman, and Gostisbehere are all thriving in new environments. And at least in Walman's case you can't handwave it away due to having better teammates.

Consider that Gustafsson, who has actually been a pretty serviceable two-way NHL defenseman throughout most of his career, has been an absolute trainwreck this season.

Consider that Moritz Seider's best season, by far, was his rookie season -- incidentally, the one he played under Jeff Blashill.

Don't get me wrong, the personnel is definitely part of the problem. No coach is going to turn this group of guys into a fearsome shutdown unit. But Derek "We're Not Gonna Forecheck Just to Forecheck" Lalonde is not helping anybody with this ultraconservative, dump and chase, fall-back-and-turtle-whenever-the-other-guys-have-the-puck approach.

When you let the other team walk all over you at 5 on 5 night after night (and Detroit had 1 shot on goal in the third period last night before getting two more late on the powerplay, against the San Jose Sharks, while tied or trailing the entire time), you basically need perfection from your D and goaltending. More puck control time for your opponents means more opportunities for a little miscue or breakdown to be costly.

The Red Wings don't play to win, they play "not to lose." Which is a really reliable way to lose a lot of games.

I agree. The look on DL’s face afterwards told the story. At this point I’d waive Petry and ensure AJo plays every game. He is gambling and fumbling every game. At his lower salary, a team might pick him up for a playoff run and depth defender. He is not a second pairing guy.

Kasper is definitely a light! I’d like to see him play with DeBrincat. He attacks and creates space. But this would mean a demotion for Alex, or Kasper playing wing with Larkin as the center.

I feel bad for Lalonde, but I think he is too nice and too ineffective with his management to be an NHL coach. I want Coach Q. It’s time.

As bad as the blueline is, I really disagree that the problem "stems" from there. The root of the problem is the system. Adding a couple of decent defensemen is not going to make this team good.

Consider that Hronek, Walman, and Gostisbehere are all thriving in new environments. And at least in Walman's case you can't handwave it away due to having better teammates.

Consider that Gustafsson, who has actually been a pretty serviceable two-way NHL defenseman throughout most of his career, has been an absolute trainwreck this season.

Consider that Moritz Seider's best season, by far, was his rookie season -- incidentally, the one he played under Jeff Blashill.

Don't get me wrong, the personnel is definitely part of the problem. No coach is going to turn this group of guys into a fearsome shutdown unit. But Derek "We're Not Gonna Forecheck Just to Forecheck" Lalonde is not helping anybody with this ultraconservative, dump and chase, fall-back-and-turtle-whenever-the-other-guys-have-the-puck approach.

When you let the other team walk all over you at 5 on 5 night after night (and Detroit had 1 shot on goal in the third period last night before getting two more late on the powerplay, against the San Jose Sharks, while tied or trailing the entire time), you basically need perfection from your D and goaltending. More puck control time for your opponents means more opportunities for a little miscue or breakdown to be costly.

The Red Wings don't play to win, they play "not to lose." Which is a really reliable way to lose a lot of games.
- Sven22

Agree 110%.

Petry has a NMC and can't be waived.
=Petry

For those of you that want Coach Q, the BEST available coach, Boston and Pittsburgh would offer stiff competition. And I get the feeling that they could be Q's choices as well..........especially Boston. But if he goes to one of them, I definitely would want Sully then, if he should get fired.

For those of you that want Coach Q, the BEST available coach, Boston and Pittsburgh would offer stiff competition. And I get the feeling that they could be Q's choices as well..........especially Boston. But if he goes to one of them, I definitely would want Sully then, if he should get fired.
- HenryHockey

Another question:
If Lalonde goes and Y appoints an interim coach, who gets it, Bob Boughner or Alex Tanguay?
I have heard a fair amount of criticism of Bob, but Alex, I believe is his Jr.
So who gets it?

Meanwhile, Fabbro has recorded one goal and one assist in three games with the Blue Jackets after going pointless in six games this season with Nashville.

Some of you may have been on target with Fabbro. But CBJ had a better spot to get him then Detroit, so it is a moot point. But if Jirisek becomes available because of tensions in CLB, I would hope the Wings have an interest. Berggren for Jiresek?

Another question:
If Lalonde goes and Y appoints an interim coach, who gets it, Bob Boughner or Alex Tanguay?
I have heard a fair amount of criticism of Bob, but Alex, I believe is his Jr.
So who gets it?
- HenryHockey

Honestly I’d promote from Grand Rapids. That opens another can of worms because of how well Watson is doing with those players. The only thing working for Detroit is the power play, so it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence for an interim successor out of the current crew. But is it worth hurting the GR team to try Watson? No easy answer

Honestly I’d promote from Grand Rapids. That opens another can of worms because of how well Watson is doing with those players. The only thing working for Detroit is the power play, so it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence for an interim successor out of the current crew. But is it worth hurting the GR team to try Watson? No easy answer
- Jeremy Laura

I wouldn't hire another first time NHL coach. Quenneville or Gallant would be my choices. Gallant has a short shelf life it seems but he gets the most out of his teams while he is there. Watson needs to stay with GR and win something there before i would consider him.

For those of you that want Coach Q, the BEST available coach, Boston and Pittsburgh would offer stiff competition. And I get the feeling that they could be Q's choices as well..........especially Boston. But if he goes to one of them, I definitely would want Sully then, if he should get fired.
- HenryHockey

PIT is just starting a rebuild and stated many times they want Sullivan to remain and he still has many years left on contract. Doubt they change coaches.

I totally agree. We need an established NHL coach.

PIT is just starting a rebuild and stated many times they want Sullivan to remain and he still has many years left on contract. Doubt they change coaches.
- jfkst1

OK, thanks for that. I really gotta be more discerning on which "tabloid" writer I read!

I didn’t know you can’t waive a NMC. Wow.

Unlike most, I do not think Detroit should trade for anyone at this point. Any players we have that we don't want will have no trade value, and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to trade a prospect for temporary help. Help is on the way, but several years away. We have goalies coming up, we have SHL kids coming up (I'm excited to see the player ASP can become) and Buchelnikov may be that diamond in the rough Yzerman was able to find in Tampa. I don't know if he'll be a Pointe or Kucherov or a bust, but he's been clocked at faster than any NHL player was last year, he's an incredibly accurate passer, he's one point out of the scoring leader race in the KHL, and oh yeah, he's only 21 years old.

Having said that, LaLonde has to go. He waited till the last quarter of the season last year to adjust his system to the players he had, and his system is NOT working this year. I get it he has a weak D core and doesn't have an elite goalie, but like Babcock, he's loyal to aging veterans who have no business being on the ice. If you don't have the talent (and Detroit doesn't), then you have to outwork your opponents and be tenacious. That is nothing like how the Wings are playing right now.

Oh yeah, no GM should ever sign a player contract that has a NMC unless that player is a legit 1st line player and a consistent producer.

Jim Montgomery fired. Interesting to see if anyone else follows suit

Unlike most, I do not think Detroit should trade for anyone at this point. Any players we have that we don't want will have no trade value, and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to trade a prospect for temporary help. Help is on the way, but several years away. We have goalies coming up, we have SHL kids coming up (I'm excited to see the player ASP can become) and Buchelnikov may be that diamond in the rough Yzerman was able to find in Tampa. I don't know if he'll be a Pointe or Kucherov or a bust, but he's been clocked at faster than any NHL player was last year, he's an incredibly accurate passer, he's one point out of the scoring leader race in the KHL, and oh yeah, he's only 21 years old.

Having said that, LaLonde has to go. He waited till the last quarter of the season last year to adjust his system to the players he had, and his system is NOT working this year. I get it he has a weak D core and doesn't have an elite goalie, but like Babcock, he's loyal to aging veterans who have no business being on the ice. If you don't have the talent (and Detroit doesn't), then you have to outwork your opponents and be tenacious. That is nothing like how the Wings are playing right now.

Oh yeah, no GM should ever sign a player contract that has a NMC unless that player is a legit 1st line player and a consistent producer.
- bluelineenforcer

My concern is, regardless of results, the culture sucks right now. It doesn’t just turn around overnight. I’d like to see a change that moves the needle of who gets ice time and how they earn it

If Yzerman does not fire Lalonde before Thursdays game it truly shows how inept he is as GM. He was the greatest Red player of all time but is showing to be a disaster in management. We should have kept Jim Nill. Or bring back Jimmy D

My concern is, regardless of results, the culture sucks right now. It doesn’t just turn around overnight. I’d like to see a change that moves the needle of who gets ice time and how they earn it
- Jeremy Laura

Devastating season. We knew there was a good chance of sliding back a bit losing Walman, et. al., But this isn’t sliding, it falling completely off the cliff.

The culture sucks for sure. But change can be implemented. Easiest done by a coach that brings flexibility, shows he understands the team and its capabilities/strengths & weaknesses, isn’t afraid to adjust plans, implement a scheme that accentuates the talent we have, holds folks responsible. You can’t force it, but you can set the foundation for a change by relating to the team, expressing a comprehensive vision, and paying out a pathway to change. It’s hard work, make no mistake (did it too many times to count as I’m sure many of our posters have….), but buying into the change 100% and setting the new standard will help implement culture change.

This team is in shambles. Monumental change is required. Leadership needs to change. Now. The Captain needs to be put on notice as well. This is NOT about making the SCF this year at all. Rather, this is about building on the improvements from last year. And that ain’t happenin’. Stop the bleeding. Pull the trigger. Keep Watson in GR; we need an NHL-proven coach - Q, Gallant, bring back Bowman (kidding, but we need a shock). This is embarrassing and must not be allowed to continue. We have good players (not amazing, but good nonetheless) that have much more to give. Hronek, Walman, etc… are playing exceptionally better in a different environment and under more comprehensive scheme so I think we can all agree on the genesis of the problem.

Pull. The. Damn. Trigger. NOW!

It would be nice to hire coach before the spring time or summer rush, but also then all the re-treads are let go and available too. Just realized that Claude Julien is available too. He won a Jack Addams, a cup...but had a health scare about 3-4 years ago, but is OK now, almost 65 yo. And I like Boudreau too, he had great regular seasons, but he never got his teams to be as good in the play-offs, he is maybe a year older than Claude.
I liked Gallant too, but some good teams let him go rather early....so that seems like a big red flag. Or does the guy eat a lot of garlic?

It would be nice to hire coach before the spring time or summer rush, but also then all the re-treads are let go and available too. Just realized that Claude Julien is available too. He won a Jack Addams, a cup...but had a health scare about 3-4 years ago, but is OK now, almost 65 yo. And I like Boudreau too, he had great regular seasons, but he never got his teams to be as good in the play-offs, he is maybe a year older than Claude.
- HenryHockey

Both are an improvement, H. Spot-on in all you’ve said about this issue for sure. It’s got to happen.

Petry has a NMC and can't be waived.
=Petry
- HenryHockey

Yes but he could sit in the press box every night!!!!