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Detroit Red Wings - Aug. 8 2025 - Vol. 78 Issue 13 - Bob Duff
IF STEVE YZERMAN WERE a baseball player, you could say he enjoyed a solid summer. The GM’s objective was to add three key pieces to his team: a top-six forward, a top-four defenseman (preferably a right shot) and, finally, a proven No. 1 goalie. Yzerman batted .333, going 1-for-3 at filling his needs. He landed a frontline netminder, acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. However, he came up empty in his other pursuits, as top UFAs again turned their back on the Red Wings, and the trade market proved fruitless.
So, unless Gibson stands on his head or the youngsters take further steps forward, the Wings are almost certainly facing a 10th successive season without playoff hockey.
OFFENSE
The Red Wings entered 2024-25 minus 75 goals from their lineup. Still, generating offense on the whole wasn’t a major issue. Scoring at even strength, however, was a significant problem. Detroit wound up 27th in the league with 143 5-on-5 goals. Heading into next season, there’s been some addition by subtraction. The Wings replaced Vladimir Tarasenko and his 11 goals with the 16 goals James van Riemsdyk scored last season for Columbus. Lucas Raymond continued his growth into an elite NHLer, scoring 27 goals and a team-leading 80 points. Alex DeBrincat led the Wings with 39 goals, while captain Dylan Larkin hit the 30-goal plateau for the fourth successive season. Patrick Kane counted 21 goals, and six others hit double digits.
DEFENSE
The Red Wings were looking to add a left-shot defenseman to play with Moritz Seider or a right-shot 'D' to slot in alongside Simon Edvinsson on the second pair. Unsuccessful, Detroit is going with the same top four as last season: Seider with Ben Chiarot and Edvinsson with Albert Johansson. Edvinsson kept making strides in his first full NHL season, while Johansson’s reliable play was a revelation when he was given a chance after Todd McLellan took over as coach. The only addition to the blueline was right-shot UFA Jacob Bernard-Docker. He’ll battle with Erik Gustafsson and Justin Holl for third-pair minutes. The Detroit defense accounted for a dismal 27 goals last season.
Red Wings Add Blue Line Depth With Signing of Travis Hamonic Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has already signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell so far this offseason, but another new name has been added to Detroit's blue line.
GOALTENDING
Gibson’s move to Detroit ended years of speculation that he’d be departing Anaheim. His career .910 save percentage, mostly earned playing for below-average clubs, will bring improvement for a team that was tied for 22nd last season with an .890 SP. Cam Talbot was solid in stints, but he’s 38 and no longer capable of staying healthy enough to carry the load as a No. 1.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Since the NHL began tracking power-play and penalty-kill percentages, no club ever displayed the discrepancy the Red Wings did in 2024-25. Detroit’s power play was fourth in the NHL at 27 percent, while the penalty kill was dead last at 70.1 percent. DeBrincat (13), Larkin (13) and Kane (12) all tallied double figures in power-play goals. Raymond (29) and Seider (20) each dished out 20-plus PP assists. Van Riemsdyk’s net-front presence will further enhance this unit. The hope is that Bernard-Docker and winger Mason Appleton will upgrade the PK group.
INTANGIBLES
Yzerman spoke extensively about the need for the club to play a heavier game following the conclusion of 2024-25. Expectations are that the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Appleton, a solid third-line presence in Winnipeg, and the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Bernard-Docker will bring that element. Yzerman and McLellan each expressed concern about the team’s leadership group. Unless there’s growth from within, this issue wasn’t addressed with off-season moves.
ROOKIES
Several rookies are on the cusp of cracking the roster. Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka arrives in North America after earning consecutive WJC top-defenseman selections. Norwegian winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygard proved a quick learner in a brief season-ending AHL stint. Sebastian Cossa is now third on the goalie depth chart.
Red Wings Tried to Make Major Splash in Free Agency, NHL Insider RevealsThe Detroit Red Wings were among the more active teams in free agency during the offseason, bringing aboard multiple new players including James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, Ian Mitchell, and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
X-FACTOR
Latvian winger Eduards Tralmaks is an intriguing addition. The 28-year-old European free agent was top scorer in the Czech Extraliga and was impressive at the World Championship. He has size at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds and has played plenty in North America, including four NCAA years at the University of Maine. He also posted a 14-goal season for the AHL’s Providence Bruins in 2021-22.
THE BRASS
With Yzerman entering his seventh season as GM, his seat is going to get quite hot should another playoff failure be the result. McLellan could help turn down the heat. The Wings were eighth-best in the East (26-18-4) after he took over. That projects to 96 points over 82 games, which would result in post-season hockey.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Detroit AHL Coach Believes Defence "Could Be Strength"Detroit AHL coach Brian Lashoff believes Red Wings have tools to fix defensive woes from last season.
2024-25 NUMBERS
RECORD
39-35-8 (.524)
OVERTIME
6-8
SHOOTOUT
3-0
OVERALL
21st
OFFENSE
2.87 GPG (22nd)
DEFENSE
3.16 GAA (21st)
POWER PLAY
27.0% (4th)
PENALTY KILL
70.1% (32nd)
EXPECTED GF/60
2.4 (23rd)
EXPECTED GA/60
2.58 (22nd)
ICE TIME LEAD (F)
D. Larkin (20:04)
ICE TIME LEAD (D)
M. Seider (25:04)
Mattias Ekholm, Cam Talbot Surface in New Red Wings-Oilers Trade RumorsDetroit’s trade discussions with Edmonton are heating up, with big names like Mattias Ekholm and Cam Talbot rumored to be in play.
Fast FACTS
COACH
Todd McLellan
GM
Steve Yzerman
CAPTAIN
Dylan Larkin
ARENA
Little Caesars Arena
CAPACITY
20,000
AHL AFFILIATE
Grand Rapids Griffins
ECHL AFFILIATE
Toledo Walleye
Cup ODDS
46/1
Red Wings Fantasy Hockey Outlook: Kasper and Gibson Potential League WinnersJohn Gibson, Marco Kasper among several Detroit Red Wings poised to outperform their early undervalued Fantasy Hockey rankings.
Future WATCH
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Pos D Age 20
2024-25 Skelleftea (Swe.)
Repeated as top WJC defenseman. He’s a one-man breakout and an uber-talented power-play QB.
Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26
2. Carter Bear
Pos LW Age 18
2024-25 Everett (WHL)
His motor never stops, and he wowed in draft year with 40-goal output. Reliable in all situations.
Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28
3. Nate Danielson
Pos C Age 21
2024-25 Grand Rapids (AHL)
Wings will be patient as he develops in AHL. Coach’s dream, as he does all the little things right.
Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26
4. Trey Augustine
Pos G Age 20
2024-25 Michigan State (Big Ten)
Calm, collected keeper is a serial winner. He’s working to add puck-handling skill to deep toolbox.
Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29
5. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
Pos RW Age 19
2024-25 Skelleftea (Swe)
After a season in Sweden’s top flight, clever scorer put up three points in three AHL playoff games.
Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28
6. Sebastian Cossa
Pos G Age 22
2024-25 Grand Rapids (AHL)
Casts shadow with 6-foot-6 frame. Thrives thanks to positional and mechanical soundness.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
7. Eddie Genborg
Pos RW Age 18
2024-25 Linkoping (Swe.)
Stands 6-foot-1, but he plays like he’s bigger. High floor thanks to two-way game and gritty play.
Expected NHL Arrival ’29-30
8. Carter Mazur
Pos LW Age 23
2024-25 Grand Rapids (AHL)
Fiery winger has great stats when healthy. Played just 20 AHL games plus one in the NHL last season.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
9. Dmitri Buchelnikov
Pos LW Age 22
2024-25 Vityaz Moscow (KHL)
Nearly cracked top 15 in KHL scoring in breakout season. Speedster is always looking to create.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
10. Emmitt Finnie
Pos C Age 20
2024-25 Kamloops (WHL)
Finnie keeps kicking down doors. Has no single star-quality attribute but is total package with high IQ.
Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28
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