As the offseason ushers in a time for reflection, Detroit Red Wings players assembled Saturday morning at Little Caesars Arena for their traditional end-of-season press conferences. Captain Dylan Larkin and forward Andrew Copp shared detailed insights into the 2024–25 campaign, candidly addressing the season’s challenges while expressing cautious optimism about the team’s future under head coach Todd McLellan.
Detroit concluded the season with a record of 39-35-8, totaling 86 points and placing sixth in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Red Wings narrowly missed the postseason, finishing five points behind the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth, claimed by the Montreal Canadiens (40-31-11; 91 points).
A pivotal moment in the season came on December 27, when the organization opted for a coaching change, appointing Todd McLellan as head coach and Trent Yawney as assistant. At that point, the Red Wings held a 13-17-4 record (30 points). Under McLellan’s leadership, the team responded with a significant turnaround, posting a 26-18-4 record (56 points), which equates to a 96-point pace over a full 82-game season.
Both Larkin and Copp offered honest evaluations of the past seven months, identifying areas for personal and collective growth. While acknowledging the factors that hindered a playoff run, they highlighted key positives, including a power play ranked fourth in the NHL with a 27.0% success rate, the emergence of promising young talent, and the team’s resilience in overcoming adversity.
McLellan’s impact on the Red Wings
Andrew Copp praised McLellan’s leadership, emphasizing how his presence helped shape a culture of accountability and empowerment. “It’s tough when you’re not playing because you’re not in the fight,” Copp admitted as much at the season-ending press conference, according to NHL.com. “You don’t know the intricacies of the meetings or what’s going on on the bench. But from what I experienced, [McLellan] was a real leader. He got us going and held us accountable, but also empowered the team and trusted us to play instinctively.”
Mclelland’s influence
Captain Dylan Larkin echoed those sentiments, noting the immediate and positive influence McLellan had on the locker room. “Todd is a really good coach, and I’ve been very impressed with him,” Larkin said. “A full training camp with our group—especially with our young guys and core—will be incredibly valuable. I think Todd is really going to help turn this thing around.”
SURVEY Who had the biggest impact on the Red Wings’ turnaround in the second half of the season?
Who had the biggest impact on the Red Wings’ turnaround in the second half of the season?
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Larkin’s confidence reflects a broader belief within the organization that McLellan’s vision and experience can help the Red Wings take the next step in their evolution and return to postseason relevance.