In a move that has surprised some but reflects a broader trend of NHL coaching reshuffles, the Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach. This addition to the Leafs’ bench comes during a pivotal offseason for the franchise, which is seeking to retool its coaching staff and roster following yet another disappointing early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Lalonde, 51, joins head coach Craig Berube’s staff, bringing with him a wealth of experience, a reputation for defensive structure, and strong relationships across the league. While his time as the head coach in Detroit came to an abrupt end after two seasons, his overall coaching pedigree remains respected. The Leafs’ front office, now under the joint leadership of general manager Brad Treliving and newly empowered President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan, believes Lalonde can bring immediate value to a coaching group tasked with changing the culture and on-ice identity of the club.
The hiring signals a shift in Toronto’s approach to building out its bench. Rather than stockpiling offensive minds to complement the team’s high-end scoring talent — like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander — the Leafs are turning to coaches with a track record of accountability, discipline, and defensive structure. Lalonde fits that mold. Before his time in Detroit, he served as a key assistant under Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay, where he played a significant role in the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.
That championship pedigree is something Toronto covets. For all of its regular-season success over the last decade, the team has yet to make a meaningful postseason run during the Auston Matthews era. The hiring of Berube in May was a step toward addressing that — bringing in a coach who knows what it takes to win in the playoffs, having done so with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. Adding Lalonde further strengthens that vision.
According to sources close to the situation, Lalonde is expected to oversee the team’s defense and penalty kill units — areas that have been perennial weaknesses for Toronto. The Leafs’ defensive game struggled mightily during key stretches of the 2024–25 season, particularly against more structured playoff opponents. Under Lalonde, Detroit saw notable improvements in their defensive metrics and goaltending stability, even if the team lacked the talent to contend in a tough Atlantic Division.
Lalonde’s familiarity with the division could also prove to be an asset. Having coached in both Detroit and Tampa Bay, he understands the tendencies and styles of the Maple Leafs’ most frequent rivals — Boston, Florida, and of course, the Lightning
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