The Detroit Red Wings have embarked on a search for a general manager. Will that lead to a search for a new coach?
Steve Yzerman’s sudden departure on Wednesday, July 15, after seven years as GM leaves a vacancy at the top, at a time the NHL enters the quiet period between post-free agency and training camp. That remains the odd part of the timing of his transition into a role as senior advisor.
When a new GM is named, one of the questions they must first answer is what happens to the coaching staff, headed by Todd McLellan and including assistants Trent Yawney and Alex Tanguay? McLellan has two years left on his contract.
McLellan, 58, has coached the Wings since Yzerman brought him in to replace Derek Lalonde on Dec. 26, 2024. The Wings were in such a poor state, “the spirit was zapped out,” Yzerman said.
Under McLellan, the Wings went on to win seven of their next eight games and strung together another seven-game winning streak again in late January-early February. Ultimately in 48 games under McLellan, the Wings went 26-18-4, with 56 points.
There were greater expectations going into last season, his first full one as coach. The Wings looked in great shape at the Christmas break at 22-13-3, leading the Atlantic Division and tied with the Carolina Hurricanes atop the Eastern Conference. A month later the Wings were 32-16-5, still leading the Atlantic, still tied for first in the conference. Even going into the Olympic break on Feb. 4, they were third in the Atlantic.
But the Wings folded again in March, and missed the playoffs for a 10th straight season. There was no question under Yzerman that McLellan’s job was not safe.
That isn’t likely to change. McLellan has preached mental toughness and game management since his first day on the job. That some players struggle with it is a reflection on them.
A snapshot of how poorly players executed is a March 6 home game against the Florida Panthers, a 3-1 loss. On one of Matthew Tkachuk’s three goals, he had the entire slot to himself, with three Wings standing around watching. Allowing Tkachuk to have time and space is not on the pregame scouting report, and the players should have known better.
Matthew Tkachuk 3 Goals vs Red Wings Today.pic.twitter.com/Y5YX5nLCsV
— Hockey Performances (@PerformancesNHL) March 7, 2026
McLellan is still under contract, believed to be for $4 million annually, for two more years. Letting him go would leave the Wings on the hook for the money.
Therefore, it is most likely that when a new GM arrives, he’ll keep McLellan and see what he does in his second full season with the Wings.
Contact Helene St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What happens to Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan with new GM?
