In his first meeting with Detroit media as the team’s 29th head coach, Todd McLellan noted that while the team’s systems wouldn’t change immediately, he would focus on making targeted improvements.
“But maybe as soon as tomorrow, you’ll see change in specific areas,” he said Friday. “We need to focus on a few things, improve those and build from there.”
McLellan stressed that improving effort and team spirit would be central to his approach. “The spirit of the team needs to improve,” he noted. His first challenge as head coach will come Friday night when the Red Wings face the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Red Wings announced the hiring of McLellan as their new head coach Thursday following the dismissal of Derek Lalonde and associate coach Bob Bougher after a three-game losing streak.
With a 13-17-4 record, the Red Wings are second to last in the Eastern Conference. Eight teams are ahead of them for a potential wild-card spot, making the need for a turnaround even more pressing.
