The principles McLellan gained from teaching young Oilers are helping the Red Wings.

In the world of professional sports, coaches are often regarded as the architects of a team’s identity, guiding players through the highs and lows of a season and imparting wisdom that will last well beyond their careers. In the case of Todd McLellan, his journey as an NHL head coach has been one of growth, adaptation, and the application of invaluable lessons learned from his time working with some of the league’s youngest talents—lessons that are now paying dividends in his role with the Detroit Red Wings.

Before his tenure with the Red Wings, McLellan made his mark as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, where he was tasked with developing and guiding one of the most dynamic groups of young players in the NHL. Stars like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard were still maturing, and McLellan’s coaching style had to evolve to meet the unique demands of such gifted but often inexperienced players. McLellan’s ability to develop young talent, instill discipline, and manage egos was put to the test in Edmonton.

Now, as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, McLellan has taken the experiences and lessons learned from his time with the Oilers and applied them to a new challenge. The Red Wings, a team in the midst of a rebuild, are leaning on McLellan’s wealth of knowledge to nurture their own young stars while maintaining a competitive edge. What he gained from his years in Edmonton has proven to be an asset, and his application of those principles in Detroit is shaping the Red Wings into a team poised for success.

McLellan’s Early Coaching Years: Building a Foundation

Before diving into McLellan’s time in Edmonton and his subsequent influence in Detroit, it’s important to understand the early stages of his career as a coach. McLellan began his NHL head coaching career in 2008 with the San Jose Sharks, where he quickly made an impact with a talented roster and led the team to consistent playoff appearances. During his time in San Jose, McLellan was known for his strategic approach to team building, particularly his ability to blend a strong defensive structure with an offensive system that suited the talent at his disposal.

While his tenure in San Jose was successful, it was McLellan’s time with the Oilers that would provide him with the most significant insights into coaching young talent. The Oilers’ roster was in a constant state of flux, and the team’s core was anchored by elite players like McDavid, who was still adjusting to the demands of the NHL. McLellan’s role was not just to implement a system but to create a culture that would help develop players who were still finding their feet in the league.

In Edmonton, McLellan was tasked with developing players who had the potential to be some of the best in the game. This required patience, understanding, and an ability to communicate effectively with young players who were still learning the ins and outs of professional hockey. It was a different challenge than McLellan had faced in San Jose, where he had a veteran-laden team with established stars. In Edmonton, McLellan had to be both a teacher and a mentor.

Teaching Young Oilers: Developing the Stars of Tomorrow

The years McLellan spent coaching the Oilers were formative in his coaching journey, as they allowed him to refine his approach to working with young players. McDavid, Draisaitl, and other emerging talents such as Kailer Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujärvi were a huge part of his coaching philosophy. While McLellan was able to bring a level of structure to the Oilers’ game, he also understood the importance of giving his young players room to grow. It was a delicate balance between fostering creativity and ensuring discipline, a lesson that McLellan had to learn quickly.

One of McLellan’s core principles was to provide young players with the space they needed to express themselves while instilling a strong sense of responsibility. For a player like McDavid, who possesses elite offensive ability and creativity, McLellan’s challenge was finding ways to help him channel that creativity into a system that also prioritized team defense and structure. With Draisaitl, McLellan worked on building consistency and ensuring that he played a complete game on both ends of the ice.

Another key principle McLellan focused on was teaching accountability. As young players, the Oilers’ stars were still adjusting to the rigors of the NHL, and McLellan believed it was essential for them to learn how to take responsibility for both their successes and their failures. Whether it was through video sessions, one-on-one conversations, or team meetings, McLellan made sure that players understood the importance of self-assessment and reflection.

During his time in Edmonton, McLellan also worked to build a cohesive team culture. While the Oilers boasted some of the most talented players in the league, the team struggled to find consistency. McLellan worked tirelessly to bring the players together, making sure that they understood their roles and responsibilities within the system. He made it clear that success was not just about individual brilliance but about buying into a team-first mentality.

These experiences with the Oilers are now proving to be an invaluable asset in his new role with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings: A New Challenge

When McLellan took over as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, the team was in the midst of a rebuild. The Red Wings had been in the playoffs for 25 consecutive years before missing the postseason for the last several seasons. Their roster was filled with young, developing players, and McLellan’s experience with the Oilers made him the perfect candidate to guide them through this transition.

The principles McLellan developed in Edmonton—particularly his focus on developing young talent, fostering accountability, and maintaining a balanced system—have been crucial in his efforts to shape the Red Wings into a competitive team. With Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and other rising stars, the Red Wings have a core of young players who will be central to the team’s future success. McLellan has worked to ensure that these players develop into complete NHL players, just as he did with McDavid, Draisaitl, and others in Edmonton.

One of McLellan’s most notable principles with the Red Wings has been the importance of mentorship. In Edmonton, McLellan worked hard to pair young players with veteran mentors who could show them the ropes. He took this approach with the Red Wings, ensuring that players like Seider and Raymond could learn from the more experienced members of the team. It was not just about teaching skills on the ice; McLellan knew that growing a young player’s hockey IQ and emotional resilience was just as important.

A System Built for Success: The McLellan Approach

Another key aspect of McLellan’s coaching philosophy is his commitment to team structure. While the Oilers may have had some trouble finding consistency during McLellan’s tenure, the coach’s insistence on creating a disciplined, structured game plan remains one of his trademarks. McLellan’s coaching emphasizes the importance of both offensive and defensive responsibility, and he strives to create a system where all players, regardless of their offensive skill level, are responsible for the team’s defensive play.

This commitment to a balanced system has been crucial in Detroit, where McLellan has helped elevate the team’s play in both zones. With the Red Wings, McLellan has continued to emphasize the need for a structured defensive game, making sure that his young players understand the importance of playing both ends of the rink. His insistence on forechecking, backchecking, and overall puck management has helped the Red Wings become a much more well-rounded team.

McLellan’s focus on defensive responsibility is one of the reasons why Seider and Raymond have flourished in the NHL under his guidance. Seider, in particular, has benefitted from McLellan’s mentorship, developing into one of the league’s most complete young defensemen. McLellan’s approach to defense-first mentality while fostering creativity has been key in Seider’s development, and the young blueliner has been able to balance offensive instincts with strong defensive positioning.

The Red Wings’ success, however, has not come solely from the young players. The team’s veterans, including Dylan Larkin and David Perron, have played crucial roles in mentoring the younger players and providing leadership in the locker room. McLellan’s emphasis on mentorship and team cohesion has allowed both the veterans and the rookies to thrive together, creating a balanced roster that blends experience with youthful energy.

Results: A Bright Future in Detroit

As McLellan enters his second season with the Detroit Red Wings, the results are becoming evident. Under his leadership, the Red Wings have shown significant improvement. The development of players like Seider and Raymond, coupled with the team’s increased competitiveness, suggests that McLellan’s approach is paying off.

The lessons McLellan learned from his time in Edmonton—particularly his ability to handle and develop young talent—are proving to be indispensable. His focus on discipline, accountability, and mentorship has helped the Red Wings navigate their rebuild and position themselves for success in the future. Though McLellan’s time with the Oilers ended with mixed results, the experience gave him the tools and insights to thrive in Detroit. The Red Wings’ upward trajectory is a direct result of the principles McLellan gained from his time teaching young Oilers, and it’s clear that his legacy in Detroit will be shaped by those lessons.

As the Red Wings continue to develop into a contender, McLellan’s guidance will remain key in shaping the team’s future. The principles he instilled in Edmonton, honed through experience and refinement, have found a new home in Detroit. For McLellan, the work with young players will always be central to his coaching philosophy, and in Detroit, that philosophy is guiding a new generation of talent toward success.