Abel to Yzerman · Jul 2, 2022
On The Derek Lalonde Hire
from Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News,
This is not Yzerman trying to recreate history. This is Yzerman knowing how important communication and relationships are, especially with a young team still facing a long slog to contention. There were no instant fixes, even with experienced coaches available. Yzerman looked around and settled on what he’d seen before, a coach who’d won on several levels and was ready for the next level.
The hire might resemble the one Yzerman made in 2013 when he appointed Cooper to his first NHL head-coaching job. The connection to another first-timer is unavoidable, although when Yzerman introduced Lalonde on Friday at Little Caesars Arena, he didn’t belabor it.