The Detroit Red Wings replaced former Head Coach Derek Lalonde, hiring Todd McLellan, who after a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs issued a major challenge.

The move was intended to give the Yzerplan in Detroit new life, as the team is 7th in the Atlantic Division.

A far cry from the team who last season was battling for a Wild Card playoff spot. Steve Yzerman placed his confidence in Todd McLellan, who looks to improve their standings, with a record of 13-18-4 in the NHL.

And after a tough loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, an original-six rival McLellan wasn’t having it at practice. He issued a challenge to the team, a simple piece of advice.

“just f***ing play hockey”

 

A challenge to NHLers who seem to have lost their way. The NHL media has run with the statement and the message itself, has resonated with fans who have been disappointed with the on ice product.

Patrick Kane, a former Stanley Cup winner was asked about McLellan’s quote.

“I think he’s trying to make the game simple for us,” admitted Kane. “Where you’re just going out there and playing. I think most of the time if you’re playing hard and skating hard and maybe if you make a mistake or two, if you’re still working then sometimes that covers that up a little bit.”

Kane has endorsed the message, and feels that breaking the game down to it’s fundamentals can’t hurt, especially when you’re struggling.

He agreed that playing with your instincts instead of overthinking could be helpful.

“I think that’s a good way to play too,” said Kane. “Not thinking to much and you’re just playing off of instinct… overall just make the game a little simpler for us.”

While GM Steve Yzerman’s entire motivation was to get the Yzerplan back on track, a new Coach in the locker room can improve a team’s results.

Todd McLellan isn’t a stranger to playoff hockey and took the Los Angeles Kings to multiple post-season runs.

Maybe with McLellan at the helm, Kane can once again experience playoff hockey in the NHL, this season or the next.

Kane himself could use a push, scoring only 14 points( 5 G, 9 A) in 30 games this season with the Red Wings. He’s on pace for 39 points, a decline from his 47-point season in 2023-2024.