The current season has not started out as the Detroit Red Wings hoped that it would. After the way the team finished last season, there were high hopes in Hockeytown. They fought hard at the end of the season, pulling off some incredible wins, including a pair of comeback wins against the Montreal Canadians in back-to-back games at home and then in Montreal.
It was a thrilling end to the season, although the Detroit Red Wings still missed the playoffs by tying the Washington Capitals in points for the season with less regulation wins. In all reality, the Wings likely wouldn't have made it through the New York Rangers to get into the second round. I do believe that they would have won at least one of their home games and provided a more entertaining series than the New York Rangers sweeping the Washington Capitals.
As free agency was approaching in the offseason, there was hope that some big-name players like Jonathan Marchessault or Steven Stamkos would be added to the roster. Unfortunately, both of them went to Nashville, and the Detroit Red Wings ended up letting some key players like Shayne Gostisbehere and Jake Walman, among others, go and not really picking up players good enough to replace them. The Detroit Red Wings did not build a better lineup in the offseason, and I wasn't feeling great about this season.
Everyone knows that the Detroit Red Wings are not off to the start that many expected for this season. They have looked like a shadow of a team that finished the last season. I wasn't of the opinion that a coaching change was needed, I just saw that most of the team was playing lazy hockey, and only two of the defensemen were pulling their weight. Then, someone pointed out to me that this is exactly why they need a coaching change, and I totally agree. It is the coach's job to motivate the team, and that is not happening this season.
The Detroit Red Wings should consider Jim Montgomery for a coaching change
Recently, Jim Montgomery was fired from his head coaching role for the Boston Bruins after the team got off to a relatively slow start this season. Montgomery took over the head coaching position in Boston after Bruce Cassidy was let go after the 2021-22 season. In his first season, Montgomery led the Boston Bruins to the winningest season in NHL history as they recorded 65 wins and 135 points. The man obviously has some skill in coaching. I know that the first-round exit that year to the Florida Panthers was disappointing. However, the Presidents Trophy-winning team rarely wins the Stanley Cup.
Last season, he led the Bruins to the playoffs again, and this time they made it past the first round. They did not make it any further and it was a disappointment since Boston was one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference again. It's hard to complain about a coach who has the kind of record that Montgomery had in his two full seasons in Boston.
His record in Dallas before was pretty good as well. In the first season that he coached them they made the playoffs and advanced to the second round. Next season, he was let go after 32 games for unprofessional conduct related to alcohol according to the Dallas Morning News. He entered rehab after this incident and appears to be doing well ever since.
I feel like the Wings are in need of some new leadership, and Montgomery has a proven record. He does not have a lot more head coaching experience than Derrick Lalonde, although he does have a lot more success in his time in the role. If the season keeps going the way that it has for the Detroit Red Wings, they can quickly put themselves out of playoff contention.
A new head coach could spark the team and get them motivated. Montgomery could also get the team working with some better systems, as the defense clearly needs some help. We'll have to wait and see what Steve Yzerman and the leadership team choose to do.