The Detroit Red Wings hired a new head coach going into 2022-23, bringing in Derek Lalonde to serve as the team’s bench boss. He came in and took over this squad, doing a great job showing some significant improvement from the Red Wings squad.
One of the staff members that was retained by the Detroit Red Wings was Alex Tanguay. Back in 2021, Tanguay was brought in as an assistant coach to help the Red Wings offensively, especially regarding his powerplay expertise.
While that expertise struggled to really amount to anything, especially after the team parted ways with Dan Bylsma after a rough go, Tanguay was supposed to be the savior. He never really was able to get the powerplay performing at an alarmingly high rate.
But it sounds like the powerplay guru and Red Wings assistant may be on his way out, heading to Calgary. The latest rumors point to Tanguay heading to Calgary to join the Flames as their head coach under newly appointed General Manager (GM) Craig Conroy.
The Red Wings did not fire Tanguay or let him go, but it sounds like he’s heading north to join Calgary as they re-tool things for the Flames. Frankly, the Red Wings faithful may not be too hurt if it does happen.
Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Alex Tanguay may be leaving.
The Flames moved on from GM Brad Treliving and Head Coach Darryl Sutter after this season, and it seems like their fanbase wants a litany of former NHL players to take over to round out the staff.
Conroy was named GM, and longtime Flames legend Jarome Iginla will likely return to the organization in an executive role. While it was noted, he does not want to leave the academy he coaches at in Kelowna, British Columbia; he may be present with the organization once again, sooner than later.
Tanguay would be a fit that makes sense with the Flames, and the Red Wings will likely not be too upset. It might allow a change of pace for the Red Wings’ powerplay, bringing in someone new or letting Lalonde have more control over the powerplay.
Either way, it will be interesting to see how things shake out for the Red Wings assistant and if he does indeed depart the organization to head to Calgary. Most Red Wings fans are impartial to this decision, but a new face to support Lalonde could be an intriguing addition if Tanguay indeed does leave.