FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — There was a time in his career Todd McLellan would have cushioned his opinion, but with age comes experience and the appreciation of honesty.
Three weeks after being hired by the Detroit Red Wings, McLellan sounds like he could be a relationship counselor in his spare time from being a head coach. Take an example from this week, when McLellan gave a blunt, blistering opinion of defenseman Justin Holl’s performance.
As a young coach, you might not be as aggressive, but I just believe in being honest,” McLellan said. “(The media) asked me a question, I have to answer it. I sat with Justin the next day and told him the exact same thing. In fact, he told me basically what I was going to tell him prior to even meeting with him. I think that’s how relationships are created.”
The key is focusing on the positive, too — Holl didn’t play after turning the puck over on the fifth goal the San Jose Sharks scored Tuesday, but his name was right there on the roster sheet drawn up for Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
He’s a veteran player,” McLellan said. “He holds himself accountable. I know we’re singling out one individual, but there were many others that didn’t play very well. Everyone had some sort of conversation, whether it was just a casual skate-by or whether it was a sit-down.
“Relationships aren’t only when it’s all grand and everything is good — you’re on a family vacation. Sometimes the best relationships are at home when things aren’t going real well — kids are acting up and you and your wife have to discipline or provide some guidance for them. It’s no different than being around a team.”
Holl, who was a plus-or-even rating player in six of the first nine games he played since McLellan took over for Derek Lalonde on Dec. 26, took the criticism in stride.
“I didn’t love the result the other day,” Holl said. “It’s all part of being a hockey player and being an athlete — you have to take the good with the bad and just move on.
You just want to make sure you’re on the same page. I feel like I know when I play well, and I know when I don’t play as well as I’d like to. Being on the same page is helpful and you just want to help the team win.”
