Maple Leafs’ Coaching Announcement Is Turning Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach under Craig Berube, the team announced Friday.
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The move comes after Lane Lambert left the organization to become the head coach of the Seattle Kraken.
Lalonde, 52, was most recently the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, where he posted a combined record of 89-86-23 across three seasons.
Detroit relieved him of his duties at the end of December with the team sitting at 13-17-4.
Before his time in Detroit, Lalonde spent four seasons on Jon Cooper’s staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning, also as an assistant coach.
Lalonde played a key role in back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, serving as an assistant during one of the NHL’s most dominant playoff stretches with the Lightning.
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In Toronto, Lalonde is expected to take over most penalty kill duties and lead the team’s defensive structure.
Shortly after announcing the hiring, Maple Leafs and NHL fans jumped on social media and offered their thoughts and reactions on Toronto’s move with a variety of feelings.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube during the postgame conference following the Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
“That facial expression is… interesting,” one user wrote about the Leafs’ post.
“Always loved his insight on the SN panel. One of only times I actually tuned in was to hear his stories and perception on things going on in the games. Love this hire replacing Lambert!!” another person chimed in.
“I just spit out my coffee,” one person added.
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“At least he’s off the broadcast,” someone said about Lalonde’s last job as an analyst.
“I mean i guess so? Want Bruce Boudreau but this could work….. maybe?” one person wondered.
“No wonder some people refuse to come to the Leafs. He’s been a Leaf for 5 min and people are already cooking him in the comments. I love the Leafs, but too many of our fan base is awful,” a Leafs fan posted.
“Good now sign Mitch… because without him we wouldn’t have made the playoffs…. one of the best in the league,” another user wrote, bringing pending free agent Mitch Marner to the conversation.
Related: Mitch Marner’s Potential Maple Leafs Exit Sparks Unexpected Debate
Related: Blackhawks Linked to Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner, But There’s A Catch
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.