The move comes after the third-year coach of the Red Wings started the season 13-17-4 with the squad (second worst in the Eastern Conference). Lalonde left Detroit with an 89-86-23 overall record in his three years, failing to make the playoffs each season.
General Manager Steve Yzerman has also fired assistant coach Bob Boughner and replaced him with Trent Yawney.
Detroit, heading towards what could be their ninth straight season failing to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, now brings in McLellan who went 164-130-44 with the Kings in four seasons and, ironically, has been to the postseason nine times throughout his career.
McLellan has a 598-412-134 career record and also led the San Jose Sharks to the 2010 and 2011 Western Conference Finals.
Detroit is currently on a three-game losing streak and is tied for an NHL-worst -23 point differential.