The Red Wings need a new head coach. Here's why:

Like any budding relationship, the future seemed so bright for the Detroit Red Wings and head coach Todd McLellan.

When McLellan, climbed aboard the speeding train that is the Yzerplan Express rebuild, he was a breath of fresh air. 

McLellan didn’t use lip service. Every interaction with media seemed to have a purpose. Words were simple, direct and clear. Objectives were well-defined for players, media and fans alike. Getting back to the fundamentals was paramount, which was something that was demanded. 

Before McLellan, there were times that Wings players didn’t remember how to skate, or perform anything basic effectively on a consistent basis. 

In a year and a half, Detroit has shown progress in certain aspects of fundamentals. Overall play has reflected improvement over the previous two coaches. Yet, something is still not connecting with the players and coaching.

Todd McLellan and Detroit Red Wings have run their course

One of the biggest questions that McLellan should answer is his deployment of players (especially with a specific young player).

Some of McLellan’s choices echoed back to the days of Albert Johansson’s first season in the National Hockey League (NHL) under former Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde. Johansson was robbed of invaluable experience. Thankfully, the young defenseman has persevered to become one of the most improved players on the Red Wings this season. That said, Johansson’s development was just delayed, not hindered.

Why, then, are the Red Wings delaying any prospect’s development when they—not trades or free agents—are the most vital parts of a successful rebuild in Hockeytown? This question is likely a better one for both McLellan and upper management, as there may be a bit of disconnect.

Young players must earn their spots, but they must also be given chances to apply lessons that they’ve learned before being benched for weeks at a time.

One defenseman's development stymied under McLellan

Axel Sandin-Pellikka suffered most at the expense of his coach’s decisions this season. The new Johansson, if you will.

A rookie defenseman has arguably the second toughest job on the ice. When we add in his size listed on his Elite Prospects page at six-feet, 185 pounds, which seems…generous, and that he’s an offensive defenseman who just turned 21 last month, the deck is already stacked against him.

Add in a lack of a reliable veteran defenseman to pair with Sandin-Pellikka and an overall lack of consistently effective defensemen in Detroit and you've got a recipe for disaster. This lack of consistency led to Sandin-Pellikka playing out of seeming necessity rather than “earning” his spot.

Of course, there’s going to be massive waves, dark skies and a bit of rainfall when it comes to rookies. That’s what the Red Wings signed up for, gave the young man expectations of and even told him to get an apartment in the Detroit area.

All Sandin-Pellikka got, for his part, was a bunch of sheltered minutes, revolving doors of defensive partners who might have taught him something helpful one second and something disastrous the next and a few long road trips across the state of Michigan.

After returning to Grand Rapids, he had the pleasure to witness his team crumble as they so oftend each season. At least he was paid to watch the season melt away. Red Wings fans, on the other hand, willingly paid and gave up their free time for the pain and suffering.

Patience ran thin with Sandin-Pellikka

The weird part, to start the season McLellan seemed to give Sandin-Pellikka chances after he made mistakes. However, as the season progressed, Sandin-Pellikka was pushed to the sidelines (cue Sarah McLachlan's “When She Loved Me” and the Toy Story 2 scene.)

Yes, Detroit acquired Justin Faulk at the deadline. He should absolutely be the second pairing right-handed defenseman. 

If Sandin-Pellikka’s services weren’t required any longer with the Red Wings last season, that’s understandable. What’s incomprehensible is how long both general manager Steve Yzerman and McLellan allowed Sandin-Pellikka to sit on the shelf. 

Going from March 6 to March 24 without playing any games is perplexing. McLellan has mentioned in the past that he prefers having eight defensemen rostered as it helps in practice. While understandable, choosing a player new to the North American game who needs to play games to most effectively improve his game is disappointing.

When Sandin-Pellikka finally, arrived in Grand Rapids, he was just happy to lace his skates up for a game:

Sandin-Pellikka’s positive outlook didn’t seem to change, so that’s a plus.

Maybe there were other extenuating circumstances that had Sandin-Pellikka watching from the press box for so long. Without that context, however, it's completely unjustifiable.

For a player with is specific skillset, he needs to play games. His timing, positioning and reading plays will not improve from watching games. He will need to apply any theories in a practical way. Mistakes (likely many repeated ones) will be made. Learned behavior cannot become habits when they’re only performed intermittently or from watching games.

The idea that a young player is to sit for two (plus) weeks in a press box doesn’t appeal to all coaches, though.

It might be in everyone’s best interest if the Detroit Red Wings revamped their coaching staff, especially with McLellan.

He is a good coach who will undoubtedly find success. It just won’t be with Hockeytown, as sad as it is to say.

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