Derek Lalonde Joins The Canadiens! | What It Means

Derek Lalonde Joins The Canadiens! | What It Means

July 9, 2026



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The Montreal Canadiens have officially hired Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach under Martin St. Louis, and it’s a move that could have a significant impact on the team’s development.

In today’s episode of The Starr & D’Amico Show, we break down why Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton targeted Lalonde, what he brings from his time as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings and assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and how his experience could help Montreal’s young core continue to grow.

Will Lalonde improve the Canadiens’ defensive structure? Can he help take Montreal’s special teams to another level? And what does this hire say about the organization’s expectations heading into next season?

Join us live and let us know your thoughts in the chat!

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View Comments (34)

  4. Leafs were poor defensively … so we’ll see I guess if he can make a positive difference. Marty’s rep regarding the teams defensive structure is on the line, for sure.

  8. One thing for sure . Does not matter who assistant coach is. The habs pp offense strategy HAS to become more creative. The back pass to suzuki, then 4 teammates STATIONARY in front of blue line waiting for nick to cross with puck, just ain't gonna cut it in playoffs. Too predictable, too much valuable seconds killed by the time set up in offensive zone.

  9. Derek’s strength is his one on one teaching. He’s an excellent addition for our young players. Great at breaking down film. He’ll fit in seamlessly. Was with TB when they were really a force in transition just like the Habs are now.

  13. Hi Guys , Lalonde and Marciano nice additions for this budding team moving forward … Gorton & Hughes are on top of what the Hab`s needs are …… Go Hab`s Go !!! 🏆🏆🏆

  16. Defensive structure still need to be improve, but pk did a major turn around this year… Habs were one of the worst team in the league for the first 62 games…. but one of the best in the 20 last games of the season (85.1%). In the playoff, they had a rough time against Buffalo but were really good versus Tampa and Carolina.

    Goalies were a big reason for it, but they also asked the forwards to put more pressure on the opponents.

    Habs pk roster in 2025-26 was totally different than 2024-25, it took a while to adjust. Assuming we have the same pk roster next year (except Veleno), we could already be in a good position.

  20. If Letowsky was responsible for PK and D structure what does Robidas actually do other than tap Matheson on the shoulder 20 times too many every game ?

    I like the Lalonde hire, the D structure needs an overhaul and if it means Matheson gets 6-8 minutes per game less of ice time and those minutes go to Arber Xhekaj it’s a win in my books

    Hiring another coach : I wanted a replacement for Burrows on the bench for the last 2 years, having a video coach and an eye in the sky to discuss things between periods is nice but real time during play input is better

    Marty is sometimes outcoached

    If I were putting a coaching staff together

    I would have Lalonde as assistant + D + PK coach

    St Louis Head coach

    And I would hire Tortorella as assistant coach + FWD + PP coach

    Make it fully ex Tampa Bay staff 😂😂😂

    Robidas could go down to Laval be the head coach or Stay on as D development or what ever it is he brings to the table cuz string defense structure and fluid deployment is not it

  24. I can see it , Lalonde being brought in to help guide St. Louis to that next level. It should surely level the playing field come next season's training camp.
    This would be beneficial to players like Bolduc, Danault, Evans, Kapanen, etc … , and especially Arber Xhekaj. Go HABs.

  26. I dd feel the coaching staff was needing another associate coach with a lot of experience. Habs are one of six teams in the NHL with only two associate/assistant coaches. Most teams have three.

  27. Whatever defensive system the Canadiens put in place, they need to become much more aggressive in their own end. Leaning on your sticks, watching guys skate around does not work. Try killing a ;play now and then!

  32. I don't want to like decidedly say he's a great head coach but I do think Lalonde gets a disproportionate amount of flack for his tenure in Detroit. It's not like they've been better since he left, or before he got there either. They're still missing the playoffs. It's not like there's a super significant difference in the performance of Detroit.

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