Red Wings Unfiltered: "Newsy" Needs to Be Held Accountable for Teams Struggles

The Red Wings have had their problems lately, and the players aren't the only ones to blame.

The Red Wings have found themselves in the thick of the playoff race for the better part of the season, but after going on a six-game win streak, have found themselves losing too many games that they should not be losing. Granted, they have been without captain Dylan Larkin for the better part of two weeks, but as a team, that should give them some motivation to go out and play for their captain, who has more than sacrificed his body and energy for his team.

But while the focus seemingly has been on the guys amidst the shoddy play, maybe it’s time that we look to the man behind the bench, Derek Lalonde.

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Known As a Defensive Coach

When Steve Yzerman hired Lalonde, he was known as a defensive-type coach. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Red Wings defense has not exactly been top-notch since the man known as “Newsy” has taken over as head man on the bench. Granted, some of that blame can be put on Yzerman with some of the players he has brought in not working out for the betterment of the team’s success. But at the same time, it is the coach’s job to look at the roster he has at his disposal and find what works the best.

Derek Lalonde, Detroit Red Wings Head Coach (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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Lack of Adjustments

Usually, when a team is in a funk, changes, and adjustments are made. But with Lalonde, he doesn’t do that. Instead of shuffling out guys who have struggled mightily on defense, like Jeff Petry (did you know his dad is Dan Petry?? He played on the Tigers’ 1984 World Series winning team??), he sits Jake Walman. Walman had been in a funk when he was sat, but Petry has far been the more inconsistent player for the team. Just by watching Petry, he struggles. The numbers don’t show it as much as they should, but he has been probably the worst defenseman “defensively” for the Red Wings this season.