McLellan’s Impact: The Red Wings Have Awakened – But Can They Take the Next Step?

Detroit’s turnaround under Todd McLellan has been nothing short of remarkable. Since his arrival, the team has posted a 7-2-0 record, propelling them back into the heart of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The change behind the bench has injected fresh energy into a team that had been struggling to find consistency.

The improvements have been evident across the board—except for the penalty kill, which remains a glaring weakness. At five-on-five, the Red Wings have tightened up defensively, going from one of the league’s worst possession teams to a league-average unit. Expected goals and actual goals are now close to break-even, a significant improvement from their previous 45 percent rate.

The biggest shift, however, has come on the power play. The Red Wings now generate 11.8 expected goals per 60 minutes and have been scoring at an impressive rate of 18.7 goals per 60 minutes with the man advantage. This transformation has fueled Detroit’s offensive surge and allowed the team’s stars to thrive.

Key Players Thriving Under McLellan

The offensive core—Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and Patrick Kane—has flourished under McLellan’s leadership. Each of them is now producing at a point-per-game pace or better, a stark contrast to their output earlier in the season. Their improved performance isn’t just showing up on the scoresheet—it’s translating into better overall play. All four are now controlling at least 53 percent of expected goals at five-on-five, a mark no Detroit forward reached under Derek Lalonde. Previously, Raymond was the only forward above 50 percent.

McLellan’s philosophy has always been about controlling possession to control the game, and Detroit is buying into it completely. By prioritizing defensive structure, the team is naturally generating more offensive opportunities. Players are seeing their work pay off in real results, reinforcing their commitment to the system.

For years, Detroit has had the raw talent to be competitive but lacked a system that maximized its potential. Now, under McLellan’s leadership, the Red Wings finally seem to be heading in the right direction.

The Real Challenge Lies Ahead

Despite their resurgence, the Red Wings aren’t out of the woods yet. The true test begins now. Detroit is about to face the toughest schedule in the NHL for the remainder of the season. Out of their 39 remaining games, 23 will be against teams projected to finish with over 100 points. On top of that, 23 of these games will be on the road, making the challenge even greater.

This brutal stretch is why I remain skeptical of Detroit’s chances. Despite their recent surge, the team’s slow start against weaker competition earlier in the season is still a major factor in their overall outlook.

Detroit’s recent performance has been encouraging, but the hardest part is yet to come. Can McLellan’s influence be the difference-maker in their toughest stretch of the season?