Detroit Red Wings
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Detroit Red Wings, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Viktor Arvidsson, Keegan Kolesar, Daniil Tarasov
Key Departures: Sebastian Cossa, Erik Gustafsson, Patrick Kane, David Perron, Cam Talbot, Steve Yzerman (General Manager)
Overview
With the Buffalo Sabres snapping their 14-year playoff drought last season, the Detroit Red Wings now own the NHL’s longest playoff futility streak of missing the playoffs, having now gone 10 years without a postseason berth. It’s also 13 consecutive seasons without a playoff series win. The Wings were a legitimate playoff contender into late January, going 31-16-4 through 51 games, but then had just 10 wins in their final 31 games (10-15-6), including getting steamrolled 8-1 in their final regular-season game by a Florida Panthers team that sat out most of their top players
All the losing caught up with captain Dylan Larkin, who has demanded a trade and eventually led to the firing of Wings legend and general manager Steve Yzerman on July 15th. Two months later, the Wings announced that Shawn Horcoff, who was the assistant general manager under Yzerman, would take over in an Interim role. It’s embarrassing to see one of the Original Six NHL teams absolutely embarrass itself. Larkin did not report to training camp but was stripped of his captaincy.
They went 31-16-4 through Jan. 21, and as they headed to the Olympic break, they were among the front-runners to win the highly competitive Atlantic Division. But from there, the Wings went 10-15-6 and fell out of the playoff picture completely.
Offense
The Wings’ 239 goals scored last season were 22nd best in the NHL. Alex DeBrincat led the team in both goals (41) and points (85) and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. DeBrincat (41 goals), along with Larkin (34 goals) and Raymond (25 goals), are a lethal top line. The trio accounted for 100 of the Wings’ 239 goals. Detroit did not have another forward who scored more than 16 goals, and that player was Patrick Kane, who signed a free-agent deal with the team that drafted him, the Chicago Blackhawks. Detroit signed free agent Viktor Arvidsson, who scored 25 goals last season in Boston. It was the sixth time in his career he scored 20+ goals. After scoring 19 goals in his rookie season, Marco Kasper (the friendly ghost) scored just nine last season. The Red Wings need him to regain his scoring touch.
Defense
In Moritz Seider, the Red Wings have a legitimate Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman. Seider was once again paired with Simon Edvinsson. On a team that finished with a negative goal differential (-17), the two were the only defensemen on the team who were on the ice for more goals scored at even strength than given up. At the time of this writing, Edvinsson (restricted free agent) is still without a contract but reported to training camp. Justin Faulk came over from St. Louis at the trade deadline and had five goals and eight points in 17 games. He, along with Axel Sandin-Pellikka, will anchor the Wings’ second power play unit.
Goaltending
John Gibson’s 57 starts last season matched his career high (2018-19). His 2.72 goals against average was his best since 2017-18, and his four shutouts last season were the most since that same 2017-18 season (four). His strong play kept him in the lineup for 20 of the final 25 games. Detroit decided it was time to move on from Cam Talbot, who won just 12 of his 25 starts and posted a sub-.900 save percentage and a goals against average north of three. The decision to bring in Daniil Tarasov as the backup is a head-scratcher, to say the least. Tarasov is coming off back-to-back seasons (Florida and Columbus) with a sub-.900 save percentage. Not sure why the Red Wings felt he was a better option than one of their goalies playing for their top minor league team in Grand Rapids. Talbot’s struggles and the team’s lack of depth also explain why they were 2-9 on the second half of back-to-backs last season.
Player to Watch
It’s going to be Dylan Larkin. Can Larkin and the Red Wings do a reset now that Steve Yzerman was fired as the general manager? There will be constant questions of Larkin, his teammates, and the coaches until he is traded or says he is rescinding his trade request. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has said he is not interested in doing a rebuild, so a Larkin trade would likely require getting a center who can anchor one of the Wings’ top two lines. Detroit opens the season at home on October 2 and plays seven of their first eight games at home. Detroit fans are not happy with their captain. Can he win back the fans with a strong start to the season is one question I have.
Outlook
I see no reason why it’s not 11 straight seasons without playoff hockey for the Red Wings and their fans. They did nothing to improve their roster, and teams like Toronto and Florida, who both missed the playoffs last season, should be better than they were last season. I am passing on any future bets involving Detroit.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 86.5 (Over -110, Under -120)
To Make the Playoffs: (+250)
To Miss the Playoffs: (-350)
To Win the Division: (+4000)
To Win the Eastern Conference: (+6500)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+15000)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 41-31-10 (92 points, 6th Atlantic Division)
Over/Under: 40-38-4
Home Favorite: 12-16 // Home Dog: 9-3
Road Favorite: 7-4 // Road Dog: 11-16
Win Score 4 or more: 28 of 41 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 34 of 41
Puck Line Wins: 23 of 41 // Puck Line Losses: 26 of 41
Front End Back-to-Back: 6-5 // Back End Back-to-Back: 2-9
Points Leader: Alex DeBrincat – 85
Goal Leader: Alex DeBrincat – 41
Assist Leader: Lucas Raymond – 51
Shots on Goal Leader: Alex DeBrincat – 287
Blocked Shots: Moritz Seider -180
Depth Chart
Forwards
Alex DeBrincat / Dylan Larkin / Lucas Raymond
Emmett Finnie / Andrew Copp / Viktor Arvidsson
Mason Appleton / Marco Kasper / Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
Nate Danielson / JT Compher / Keegan Kolesar
Defense
Simon Edvinsson / Moritz Seider
Albert Johansson / Justin Faulk
Ben Chiarot / Axel Sandin Pellikka
Goalies
John Gibson / Daniil Tarasov
