I liked DeBrincat’s defense in the final stretch. People didn’t give him enough credit for that when he wasn’t producing on offense. He gave others great opportunities.
His tune changed on expectations vs what he said last week. Think Stevie sat him down after the season was over. Lalonde is most likely on the hot seat starting next season
100% he is. Yzerman even said that the defensive systems rely heavily on the coaching and the players and made it clear that it needs to better whether the system needs to be practiced more or revamped entirely. If they don't figure it out by game 20 next year, I can see him being walked.
But Steve, at his press conference, didn’t want to push expectations higher, stressing how difficult it is to reach the playoffs these days. He said he hoped that Detroit would make it to the playoffs, but didn’t necessarily expect it. So I doubt that Steve has told Lalonde that he had better make the team a playoff team or he will have failed.
Or it could be that speech was motivation for guys who may not be back next year, none of us have any idea what he says in the locker room, or what he means in his pressers, and that's the way it should be. You betray the confidence of players l, you lose your job and end up like torts coaching for 10 different teams in 20 years because you burn all your bridges. Even Bowman was tight lipped on what was happening with the team, even more so, but overemotional fans who spend too much time sulking on social media want a fiery coach who can match their emotional immaturity so they can feel better about themselves. Not how it works for winning teams folks.
@@bradmaguire9611 Well said! I’m always puzzled (or, rather, frustrated) when fans assume that a coach talks to the players the same way they talk to the media.
No one thinks he isn't intelligent. The question is he the right guy to take them to the next level. Is he the right guy to lead the team behind the bench and instill a consistent work ethic.
@Miller13RWBD Did I question his intelligence? No, I just don't think he's right for this team. This rebuild should be over with by now, yet here we are on the outside looking in again. But hey, our coach is smart tho, eh?
Something the media and even fans are getting wrong with the "playoff push" talk... Playoffs are NOT the goal!! The Stanley Cup is the goal!! That's what's on Steve's mind. If playoffs are the goal, that's as far as we'll ever get. He's aiming for a cup, which is why he's using the long term, patience strategy.
Not just the cup, but to be Stanley Cup contenders for YEARS. Steve is playing the long game to ensure we remain competitive once we become contenders.
Definitely on the hot seat. Yzerman told him to not downplay expectations again. That's clear. If wings have a bad start next year he could definitely be gone.
Absolutely in agreement with that statement. Lalonde demonstrated a defeatist attitude for potential results. I said it before as well. It was head coaching's responsibility to NOT ALLOW for all those losses, especially that close to the end of the season. I really believe Lalonde should have been gone before the end of the season, especially with the ridiculous opinions he had regarding what pundits put the Wings at from the beginning to the end of the season. Bottom line, you have to win. What was Lalonde doing for this team when they were losing 3, 4, 5, 7 straight games? And when the Wings were, what was it 3-9 or 3-12, can't remember the exact streak, but it was embarrassing. This guy speaks like a politician at times and I'm disappointed with how he coached the last month. He really should be out of a job. Stevie Y is giving a whole lot to keep Lalonde as head coach. The expectation, as I've said before, is Lalonde better not utter anything to make excuses without coming up with results. I think Lalonde talks too much and gets himself in a snag with unbelievable statements before the press. Maybe he makes up for his mistakes, maybe he doesn't, but I read Stevie Y loud and clear about the coaching stressing defense to be as imperative as any other aspect of the game. And if a skid as a result of horrific defense continues into next season, I don't doubt Stevie Y nixing Lalonde soon after that. Responsibility must lie on head coaching before anybody else.
Yzerman isn't going to say what he told Lalonde in a press conference lol. It's clear Lalondes tone changed after the season. Yzerman sounded more happy with things than I think he is behind the scenes in that presser. A clue for me was when he said "It looked like we couldn't win a game " Ouch and "teams lose players to injury all the time". He clearly was pissed they blew that 9 pt cushion. If that kind of streak happens again no way Lalonde isn't fired. I sometimes wonder if some of these fans are 20 years old and never watched Yzerman play. This is a guy who played in the playoffs on one knee and won a cup. He absolutely hates to lose. Don't let some press conference fool you no way he's happy with where they're at.
NEWSY KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN! HE HAS WON AT EVERY LEVEL HE'S COACHED! HE ALSO SHOWS A REAL ENTHUSIASM FOR WHAT HE DOES! TEAM HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE! YZERPLAN IS WORKING