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Something about coaching in the Atlantic Division seems to align with former Detroit Red Wings bench boss Derek Lalonde. After spending last season as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lalonde wasn’t retained once the club brought in former Red Wings forward Daniel Alfredsson. However, it didn’t take him long to secure a new role. According to NHL insider Eric Engels, Lalonde is joining the Montreal Canadiens’ coaching staff following Trevor Letowski’s departure.
Lalonde wasn’t the only shift on Tuesday for the Maple Leafs, as fellow assistant coach Mike Van Ryn was also let go. The club announced replacements in Alfredsson, Brad Werenka, and John Gruden, with the latter two carrying notable Michigan connections.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected with the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. The Maple Leafs have completely overhauled their coaching staff under new general manager John Chayka, who was brought in to replace Brad Treliving, who was fired on March 30.
Former Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was let go by the Maple Leafs after joining as an assistant. This marks another chapter in Lalonde’s coaching journey, as he transitions to new opportunities in the Atlantic Division. Lalonde’s coaching career began as an assistant under Jon Cooper with the Tampa Bay Lightning, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021. He later became the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, taking over for Jeff Blashill in the summer of 2022, before being dismissed in December 2024.
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(Note: This rewritten piece is crafted for better SEO and flow while preserving the core information about Derek Lalonde’s coaching moves, the Maple Leafs’ staff changes, and Lalonde’s career path.)