Derek Lalonde Declares Love for Leafs, Vows to Deepen Coaching Bench in Bid for Stanley Cup
In a heartfelt and candid introductory press conference on Saturday morning, newly appointed Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Derek Lalonde made no attempt to hide his passion for his new club—calling the Leafs “a team I’ve always admired” and pledging to bring “depth, detail, and drive” to the coaching bench under new head coach Craig Berube.
Lalonde, 51, joined the Maple Leafs earlier this week following a brief hiatus after his departure as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings in December 2024. While his stint in Detroit ended in frustration, Lalonde brings an impressive résumé to Toronto—including back-to-back Stanley Cups as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning and over two decades of coaching experience across the NCAA, ECHL, AHL, and NHL.
“Let me be clear—I love this organization,” Lalonde said. “There’s a history, a culture, and a fanbase here that’s second to none. I’ve been fortunate enough to coach in some great cities, but Toronto is special. The passion here is infectious. I didn’t have to think twice.”
In a moment that drew smiles from reporters and fans alike, Lalonde revealed he had followed the Leafs for years—even during his time in Tampa and Detroit.
“My son used to joke I had a soft spot for Toronto. He was right,” Lalonde laughed. “Now that I’m here, I want to be part of the solution.”
That solution, he says, involves strengthening the team’s tactical and developmental foundations. With Berube and assistants Marc Savard and Mike Van Ryn already in place, Lalonde believes the Leafs have the pieces in place for long-term success—provided they focus on sharpening the details.
“Depth isn’t just about players,” he explained. “It’s about coaching depth—how many minds you have pushing the game forward. In Tampa, we had that. Everyone had a voice, and every practice had a purpose. That’s what I want to bring to Toronto: precision, structure, and clarity.”
Lalonde added that his role would include supporting special teams preparation, opponent scouting, and working closely with the younger players transitioning into the NHL. His focus, he said, would be “amplifying the team’s strengths and minimizing the self-inflicted wounds.”
Despite being new to the staff, Lalonde is already syncing with Berube.
“Craig’s a leader. He commands respect, but he also listens,” said Lalonde. “We’ve had great conversations already about systems and accountability. I think we’re going to complement each other well.”
While Lalonde was cautious not to make bold predictions, his tone was one of optimism.
“This team isn’t far off. But we need to push past the threshold. That means being more demanding of ourselves as a staff. If we do our jobs right, the players will follow.”
For Maple Leafs fans still dreaming of a Stanley Cup, Derek Lalonde’s arrival—and his emotional connection to the club—adds another compelling chapter to Toronto’s long and winding journey toward glory.
