The end may be near for Derek Lalonde.

The Detroit Red Wings faithful were thrilled when former Red Wings forward Steve Yzerman was hired to take over as the team's general manager and for years, in spite of the team's struggles on the ice, there was a genuine feeling that the Yzerplan would eventually lead team back to the success it saw during Yzerman's tenure as a player. It has however been 5 years now since Yzerman was hired and there's no doubt that the confidence that move once gave to the Red Wings fan base is quickly evaporating with that confidence being rapidly replaced by a growing sense of frustration as the team continues to struggle season after season.

As of Monday, the Red Wings once again find themselves in the bottom half of the National Hockey League's Atlantic Division standings and there is a feeling that something will soon have to give if things continue to trend the wrong way for this franchise.

There is also growing sense that Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde may be the man who eventually pays the price for the team's relative lack of success.

Last week NHL insider Darren Dreger made comments suggesting that Lalonde was on the hot seat and that the Red Wings' recent 3 game home stand could determine his future.

"We know it's a tough business but Detroit was counting on staying in the playoff mix," said Dreger on Insider Trading. "They've got a crucial 3 game home stand happening this week. What happens if they go 1 for 3 or 0 for 3?"

Well we now have the answer to that question with the Red Wings in fact going 1 for 3 with a win at home over the Calgary Flames this past Wednesday, a loss at home to the New Jersey Devils this past Friday and a loss at home to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. So what did Dreger think would happen if an unfavorable scenario played out for the Red Wings? You guessed it.

"They have to remain competitive so if they have a good home stand everything should be fine but if they don't that might force Yzerman to make a decision," added Dreger.

The insider even had some thoughts on what a coaching change in Detroit would look like with Dreger suggesting that the Red Wings are likely to promote someone internally in the short term before looking for an experienced NHL head coach to commit to.

"The sense is that they would go with an interim internal candidate and then hope that a top coach eventually becomes available," said Dreger.

Lalonde of course is still currently the team's head coach but you have to wonder if that will remain true for much longer.