Originally from the Hockey News

  1. Detroit Red Wings

Like the Bruins, the Red Wings are off to a distressing start to the season at 7-9-2.

Detroit GM Steve Yzerman may have no choice but to fire Derek Lalonde, who is only in his third year running things in Motown. There’s still time for the Wings to salvage their season, and if Montgomery were to step in, he’s got the acumen and pedigree to get Detroit back on the right track.

The Red Wings need help on offense, but their defense is something Montgomery could address. In Montgomery’s first two seasons with Boston, the Bruins had far and away the NHL’s best defense, allowing an average of just 2.41 goals-against per game in that span. The next-best team was Carolina, at 2.57.

Boston also had the NHL’s second-best penalty kill in those two years at 84.9 percent efficiency. So Montgomery has the systems to effect positive change for Detroit in its own zone. Now, the offense, defense, penalty kill and power play have looked rough in Boston this season, but that shouldn't entirely discount what Montgomery accomplished in the years beforehand.

Related: NHL Coaches On The Hot Seat: Penguins' Sullivan, Red Wings' Lalonde Top List

Yzerman could also make a few roster changes to alter the Wings’ chemistry, but Montgomery’s presence would be a calming one and something the Wings can benefit from.

https://us.yahoo.com/sports/three-nhl-teams-consider-hiring-004304663.html

10 comments

  2. I think it would be great, but I don’t think it will happen and wonder how much things will change if it does.

    But when a coach with Montgomery’s record hits the market, you have to at least consider it and should probably make a play to get him. You can say that part of his success was the roster he had under him (which is questionable with a post-Bergeron and post-Krejci team) but that record still speaks for itself.

  5. Can’t see it happening. Could see Montgomery wind up in Nashville though, if they continue to struggle.

  6. Like, I get it to an extent. The shot differential is the big thing that stands out to me, but I feel like it’s the same as it was with Blash. Complain about the guys on our defense, complain about goaltending, complain about too many two way forwards, and complain about not playing the kids. Getting rid of Lalonde doesn’t magically make Petry/Holl/Chiarot not Petry/Holl/Chiarot. We barely have enough offensive style players to make a top 6. At what point to we stop nodding but not listening to Yzerman when he talks about this roster needing some work

  7. I trust the Yzerplan, but I think if he can’t make this happen, I’m gonna trust it a lot less

  8. Would love it if we brought Montgomery in to replace Lalonde. Just doubt it will happen.

    However, if we lose a few more, I feel Stevie may have no choice but to fire Lalonde.

  9. Wings ain’t changing their coach, fellas. Just like with Blash, Lalonde will go down with the ship at the end of the year and simply not be renewed quietly (if they still suck). Yzerman does NOT make large or controversial moves during a season, if at all. This is supposed to be a burner year according to management, so their expectations are .500 or just below that. That’s the game plan for the next 2-3 seasons, until the prospects are ripe. Don’t expect anything, ever, from this management group.

Leave a Reply