Lalonde hired as Red Wings coach

The 49-year-old replaces Jeff Blashill, who the team announced on April 30 would not return after seven seasons.

It is the first head coaching job in the NHL for Lalonde, who spent the past four seasons as an assistant for the Tampa Bay Lightning, including winning the Stanley Cup in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Tampa Bay lost to the Colorado Avalanche in six games in the Stanley Cup Final this season.

“I’m thrilled to be named head coach of the Red Wings,” Lalonde said. “I’d like to thank (Red Wings owner) Chris Ilitch and the entire Ilitch family, as well as (general manager) Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings management team for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this historic franchise. I’m ready to get to work with our group. There’s a very bright future ahead in Detroit.”

Lalonde was named an assistant by the Lightning on July 12, 2018, when Yzerman was their general manager.

“[Lalonde] has proven himself as an excellent coach at every level and has spent the last four seasons in the National Hockey League as part of a very successful program in Tampa Bay,” Yzerman said. “We feel he is ready to take the next step in his career as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.”

Lalonde previously coached Iowa of the American Hockey League, the affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, for two seasons from 2016-18, and Toledo of the ECHL from 2014-16. He also coached Green Bay of the United States Hockey League for three seasons and won the Clark Cup championship in 2011-12, when he was named the league’s coach of the year.

The Red Wings (32-40-10) finished sixth in the Atlantic Division this season, the sixth consecutive season they failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Lalonde is the seventh coach to be hired since the conclusion of the regular season. Lane Lambert was hired by the Islanders on May 16, Bruce Cassidy replaced Peter DeBoer as coach of the Golden Knights on June 17, John Tortorella was hired by the Flyers on June 17, DeBoer was hired by the Dallas Stars on June 21, Paul Maurice was hired by the Florida Panthers on June 22, and Luke Richardson was hired by the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

The Jets and Boston Bruins are still in the midst of their coaching search.