Red Wings’ Todd McLellan: ‘I was bored as hell sitting at home’

Todd McLellan finally has something on his to-do list.

The Detroit Red Wings named McLellan their 29th head coach in franchise history on Thursday, and ahead of his first game as the Red Wings’ bench boss Friday vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, McLellan was very transparent with the media about what’s he’s been up to lately. “I was bored as hell sitting at home,” stated McLellan after his first morning skate on Friday.

McLellan went on to admit things have been extremely hectic the last 48 hours, however, for obvious reasons, he wouldn’t change a thing. “Not a lot of sleep, still trying to figure out names and faces. I probably know more people in this (media) room, than in that (Red Wings’ dressing room) room.”

Prior to becoming an NHL head coach, McLellan was an assistant with the Red Wings from 2005 to 2008, which included a Stanley Cup winning season in 2008, under then head coach Mike Babcock. McLellan becomes the Red Wings new bench boss after stops with the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings. The 57-year-old Saskatchewan native stands 24th in NHL history with 598 career wins. McLellan most recently served as bench boss of the Kings from 2019 until being let go in February.

The Red Wings are hopeful McLellan can help turn things around and get the product on the ice moving in the right direction. “The spirit of the team has to improve,” stated McLellan. Detroit is 13-17-4 on the season, eight points back of the second wild-card position. They rank 29th in the NHL, scoring just 2.56 goals for per game, meanwhile sit 25th in the league, allowing 3.26 goals per game.

“We’re in a situation that’s never a good thing, when a coach is released and a new one is brought in. The timing is a little bit awkward too, with Christmas, and that kind of stuff.”