Following a lackluster start to the NHL season, the Detroit Red Wings have fired their head coach Derek Lalonde, the first time in nearly 40 years that the team has made an in-season top coaching change.

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman today announced that the team has named Todd McLellan the 29th Head Coach in franchise history and signed him to a multi-year contract. Additionally, the Red Wings have hired Trent Yawney as an Assistant Coach.

As they sit in the basement of the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Red Wings have made a coaching change. The team announced it has fired Derek Lalonde and hired veteran coach Todd McLellan as his replacement.