Steve Yzerman is out as Detroit Red Wings general manager, but don't expect head coach Todd McLellan to follow him out the door. The veteran bench boss is likely safe, at least for now, despite the bombshell announcement Wednesday that Yzerman is stepping down.
McLellan's Impact Was Real, Until March Hit
McLellan was Yzerman's second full-time head coach, taking over for Derek Lalonde during the 2025-26 season. He immediately made an impact, bringing a demanding, respected coaching style with greater structure and accountability to Detroit's lineup. We saw the results: the Red Wings climbed near the top of the Eastern Conference standings late in January, looking totally poised to snap their long playoff drought. But, man, did it fall apart. The team struggled in March, and just like that, the season ended in familiar fashion, missing the postseason once again. Brutal.Why the New GM Won't Hit the Panic Button Yet
So, with a new GM coming in, you'd think McLellan's seat would be scorching, right? Not so fast. The timing of Yzerman’s departure suggests McLellan is likely safe for a few key reasons. First, he's only been behind Detroit's bench for part of one season. That's just not enough time to truly evaluate his coaching philosophy. Plus, it's late in the offseason and most established coaching candidates around the league are already hired, leaving few proven options. Making a change now would probably create more instability than anything else. Whoever steps into Yzerman's shoes will have way bigger fires to put out than finding a new coach. They've got to sort out captain Dylan Larkin's ongoing uncertainty, keep shaping the roster after a busy offseason, and figure out just how close this team actually is to being a playoff contender. Given all that, keeping McLellan in place for at least the start of the 2026-27 season looks like the smart play. It lets the new hockey operations leader check out both the roster and coaching staff before making any long-term decisions. McLellan's job looks secure for now, but results always talk loudest in the NHL, and that can change fast if they don't follow.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.