Wings Hire Lalonde as Head Coach – Friday Sports Wrap

Click on the highlighted scores for more game details.

NHL

Derek Lalonde is the new head coach of the Red Wings.

Lalonde has been an assistant coach with the Rays for the past four years. During that stretch, Tampa Bay won two Stanley Cups, and made the championship game again this past season. Current Wings’ General Manager Steve Yzerman was the Rays’ GM when Lalonde was hired there.

Lalonde’s resume also includes three years as an assistant coach at Ferris State University, and three years as the head coach of the Green Bay Gamblers. He also spent a couple of years as head coach of Detroit’s ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Walleye.

Lalonde replaces Jeff Blashill, whose contract was not renewed after seven seasons.

NBA

Marvin Bagley III will remain a Piston. The 23-year-old big man has agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract.

The NBA free agent signing window opened yesterday.

As expected, Detroit will buy out the contract of guard Kemba Walker. The Pistons took on Walker’s obligation from the Knicks, as part of the deal that brought Jalen Duren to Detroit in the draft. Walker will become a free agent.

College Sports

The Big 10 is about to go coast-to-coast. There are reports that applications from UCLA and USC to join the conference have been approved, at least in principle. That would stretch the footprint of the league from New Jersey to California, with 16 teams.

Both California schools would begin play in all sports in the fall of 2023. They would leave behind the PAC-12 conference, after more than 90 years of membership.

MLB

The Tigers had yesterday off, and host the Royals tonight. Michael Pineda is expected to be brought off the injured list to start for Detroit. He’s missed six weeks with a broken finger. Brad Keller will counter for Kansas City. Coverage will begin at 6:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

A late surge by the Brewers fell short in an 8-7 loss to the Pirates last night. Adrian Houser gave up three runs in the second inning, then left in the third with tightness in his pitching elbow. The Crew scored three runs in the top of the ninth to close the gap, but Luis Urías flied out with runners at first and second to end the game.

The Brewers play in Pittsburgh again this evening. Corbin Burnes will start against Roansy Contreras.

Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.