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Derek Lalonde Hints At What The Red Wings Will Do At The Trade Deadline

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Samer Dagher
March 1, 2024 (9:56 PM)

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Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde at the podium

Photo credit: MLive

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is known for his discretion, making it challenging to predict his plans, especially regarding team personnel moves. With the NHL Trade Deadline looming just a week away on March 8th, speculation is that the Red Wings might deviate from their recent trend of selling assets and instead bolster the team for a playoff push.

Derek Lalonde Hints At What The Red Wings Are Planning

According to head coach Derek Lalonde, there's a strong trust between him, the players, and Yzerman. Lalonde emphasized that Yzerman's decisions are respected by both the coaching staff and players, as they believe he acts in the team's best interests, both in the short and long term.

«I don't know what I would like to see happen,» Lalonde said. «I think what Steve (general manager Yzerman) has done in his tenure -- obviously, the guys in the room he built -- there's a huge trust from both coaches and players on whatever he does. I'm comfortable coaching with whatever he does or brings us. I know he has the best interest in the micro, which is now, and the macro, which is the big picture going forward. So, I won't lose a ton of sleep. I don't think our guys will either."

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Lalonde hinted that standing pat might be the most aggressive move for the team, with his confidence in the current roster's makeup.

«Maybe the most aggressive move of all will be no move at all. I think that would speak volumes on where our group is at,» he said.

He expressed a desire for a higher salary cap to allow for more flexibility in acquiring talent but understands Yzerman's need to balance immediate success with long-term planning.

«We're always throwing things out. Sometimes specific players,» Lalonde said. «I want it all. I want a $210 million cap. I want a ton of depth at every position. I'm a coach. It's my job to win now. Steve's got to think about the big picture. He has an entire staff that works on this 24 hours a day.»

In essence, Lalonde's remarks underscore the complexity of managing a team amidst salary cap constraints and the importance of trust in the leadership's decision-making process.

We will have to wait and see if the Red Wings decide to bolster their lineup ahead of the trade deadline.

Previously on PuckReporter

Boston Bruins Set To Trade Defenseman After He Broke Team Rules

New Maple Leafs Trade Target Revealed With First Round Pick Involved

BREAKING: New Jersey Devils Complete Trade With The Colorado Avalanche

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1 MARS \| 157 ANSWERS Derek Lalonde Hints At What The Red Wings Will Do At The Trade Deadline Do you think the Red Wings should go all in?
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