In a subscriber-only article, MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses the Red Wings’ probable standing in the Atlantic Division via a set of power rankings. Khan feels that the Atlantic Division has gotten more difficult to win thanks to the teams’ offseason machinations, and he doesn’t see the Wings as a playoff team–yet:
5. DETROIT: The Red Wings are much deeper and have a different look following a series of moves. Andrew Copp, David Perron and Dominik Kubalik provide pieces for an upgraded second line and improved power play. Chiarot, Olli Maatta, Robert Hagg, Mark Pysyk (out the first half of the season due to Achilles surgery) and possibly top 2021 pick Simon Edvinsson make for a better defense. Ville Husso is an upgrade over Thomas Greiss. Derek Lalonde, in his first NHL head-coaching job, has enough talent to get the Red Wings over .500 for the first time since 2015-2016, but ending a six-year playoff drought doesn’t seem likely in a tough Eastern Conference.
Continued (paywall)
