New Additions: G John Gibson (from ANA), D Ian Mitchell (1yr x $775k), D Jacob Bernard-Docker (1yr x $875k), F James van Riemsdyk (1yr x $1M), F John Leonard (1yr x $775k), F Mason Appleton (2yr x $2.9M AAV), D Travis Hamonic (1yr x $1M)

Subtractions: G Petr Mrazek (to ANA), F Vladimir Tarasenko (to MIN), F Tyler Motte (to FLA), D Jeff Petry (to FLA), G Alex Lyon (to BUF)

Retentions/Extensions: D William Lagesson (2yr x $775k AAV), D Albert Johansson (2yr x $1.125M AAV), F Jonatan Berggren (1yr x $1.825M), F Patrick Kane (1yr x $3M), F Elmer Soderblom (2yr x $1.125M AAV)

After making the playoffs in twenty-five consecutive seasons, the Red Wings have now failed to make the postseason for nine years. The team underwent a long overdue rebuild after their impressive playoff streak, and when beloved Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman took over as GM in 2019, it seemed like the rebuild would not last long. Yzerman helped create one of the league’s best rosters in Tampa Bay, who went on to make three straight finals appearances and win two championships following his exit. Now he did not leave on bad terms in Tampa, he simply wanted the challenge of making Detroit a contender once again. Since he stepped into the front office, the team has not made the playoffs, and fans are losing faith in the Yzerplan.

His tenure got off to a great start, drafting German defenceman Moritz Seider in 2019 (6th overall), and Swedish winger Lucas Raymond in 2020 (4th overall). Seider going at number 6 was a surprise at the time, even to Moritz himself. The pick has aged well as he won the Calder trophy as the league’s best rookie in 2022, and since debuting he has been the team’s best defenceman. Raymond has led the team in scoring for two straight seasons and projects to have a very solid career. The two are both locked up until at least 2031, serving as core pieces on forward and defense. Other notable draft picks in Stevey Y’s tenure include Simon Edvinsson (6th overall in 2021) and Marco Kasper (8th overall in 2022). Edvinsson is a 6’6” defenceman who does not skate like one, he flies up and down the ice at his size, a special player. He played in his first full season last year, displaying impressive play (31 points in 78 games). Kasper also spent the majority of last season in Detroit, showing flashes of his potential (19 goals and 18 assists in 77 games). This season I expect those numbers to increase. He projects to be the long term 2C behind Dylan Larkin.

Larkin is the longest tenured Red Wing, and the team’s captain, a dream come true for the Michigan native. He has been the most consistent thing about this team over the last decade, as he continues to be one of the Wings top offensive threats. Another Michigan boy, Alex DeBrincat enters his third season with the team. Both players scored over 30 goals last season and they each finished with 70 points on the year, tied for second on the team behind Lucas Raymond who had 80. The three of them are expected to carry the load offensively.

Not that goaltending was necessarily an issue for the Red Wings, they have lacked a true number one for quite a while. Last year they ran a tandem of Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon for the majority of the season. They hope they found their answer as they traded for John Gibson, who had spent over a decade in Anaheim. The 32 year old may not be an elite goalie like he once was, but he has been behind one of the worst teams in the league for the last six seasons, and wants to prove he still has lots left in the tank. Lyon left in free agency, but Talbot is still in town, and I still expect him to start around 30 games. Having two capable goalies is a good thing, as they can ride the hot hand if they need to, and Gibson has struggled with injuries in recent years.

Detroit lacks secondary scoring, as only one other player finished with more than 40 points last season, 36 year old Patrick Kane who had 59. A few of their young players need to take that next step forward in order for Detroit to be competitive. Unfortunately, other than an aging Patrick Kane, the Red Wings have not been able to bring much high end talent in through free agency, despite having lots of cap space. They have had to settle for middle to bottom six forwards such as J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp, and this season’s highest paid addition, Mason Appleton ($2.9M cap hit). Guys that can certainly fill out a roster, but when relied upon to play fringe second line minutes, are not your ideal players. In addition to Kasper, the team is hoping for breakout seasons from players like 24 year old Elmer Soderblom (19 points in 47 career games), and 25 year old Jonatan Berggren (58 points in 154 career games). 

On defense, they lack talent after Seider and Edvinsson. Ben Chiarot and Justin Holl are two veteran defencemen that tend to get outmatched in their own zone from time to time, how both make between $3-5M is a bit of a puzzle to me. Erik Gustafsson has been a solid PP2 offensive minded defenceman in his career, he makes a reasonable $2M per season. The three of them are all on expiring deals, and regardless of how this season goes I anticipate Detroit using the ~$10M in cap room to find some replacements. Albert Johansson, 24, made his debut last season after two years in Grand Rapids (AHL), he resigned for two seasons at $1.125 per year, and could get increased opportunities this season. The team also signed both Travis Hamonic and Jacob Bernard-Docker on one year deals to provide some depth on the right hand side.

The team finished 39-36-8 last season, but performed much better after a midseason coaching change. After firing Derek Lalonde, the team finished the season going 26-18-4 under Todd McLellan (a 96 point pace over 82 games). Coach McLellan has led teams to the playoffs everywhere he has been, most recently in Los Angeles. If he can continue to get the most out of this group, mixed with some of the young talent becoming legit players that can be counted on night in, night out, Detroit has a solid chance of ending their playoff drought. The key pieces to their success will be getting steady goaltending from Gibson and Talbot, Edvinsson becoming a true number two (or even number one) defenceman, and Kasper being able to lead a strong second scoring line. I think being in such a stacked division has people overlooking the Red Wings, but they are a team I am refusing to doubt, and I would not be surprised if they are back in the postseason.