Looking back upon his tenure with the Lightning, Lalonde said he feels lucky to have been part of a coaching staff that helped vault Tampa to the top of the NHL.
"Very few times in your career can you go to a situation where they can't get over the hump and you can be part of something special in getting over the hump," Lalonde said. "Which I was fortunate to be part of."
To this day, Lalonde credits a lot of his professional development to Cooper.
"I probably didn't appreciate how much I was taking from Coop until I actually was here becoming a head coach on a day-to-day basis," Lalonde said. "I'll be forever appreciative of Jon and the time I spent with him."
Lalonde specifically praised Cooper's leadership style, emphasizing how it "was a really good experience being under him."
"The way he managed and the way we managed that group was amazing," Lalonde said. "Now that I'm away from it, I maybe appreciate it a little bit more."
Implementing a new system, establishing a shared identity and developing Detroit's young core are among the challenges Lalonde is facing as a first-year NHL head coach. According to Lalonde, that includes taking 100 percent responsibility.
"In this role, the buck stops with me," Lalonde said. "I probably have to hold guys a lot more accountable than what I did in Tampa. That's what Jon did. I played a role (with the Lightning) very similar to our assistants here, where I might be an outlet for them every day with the video and skill development."
Captain Dylan Larkin said he's impressed by Lalonde's leadership style.
"He's prepared," Larkin said on Friday. "The whole staff has done a great job. Newsy said it many times after games that we're still in the process of learning and learning the systems. Once we get them down, it's all going to click."
When Lalonde was first introduced as the 28th head coach in Red Wings franchise history on July 1, he described himself as a relationship-based leader. And as he continues to form relationships, Lalonde said he's grateful for the dynamic he has with Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman.
"I love working for Steve," Lalonde said. "He's extremely demanding, but that comes from passion. There's no one here that wants to get this going more than him, and I love that. Coop told me in taking this, Steve's going to be demanding but that is the most important relationship. It's been great so far."
Before Sunday's 4-2 win at Columbus
, Lalonde was asked if he's excited for his return to Tampa Bay. His response was authentic, much like his coaching style.
"It's not going to be awkward," Lalonde said. "A beautiful, wonderful opportunity. Them hiring me was my first opportunity in the league. Obviously, just the memories, friendships, relationships and Stanley Cups. It will always be a special spot."
Lalonde added that he's been counting down the days until he can see his dog Winnie, an Australian labradoodle who is still with his family in Florida, while revealing that the pet's "genius" name "coincided with all the Stanley Cups."
"I miss my dog more than anything," Lalonde said. "We've had a long time apart."
