The Hockey News’s Carol Schram posted an article in which she discusses 5 NHL teams which have the potential of making the 2023-2024 season’s playoff cut, and she named both the Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators to her list:
Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings made the playoffs for 25 consecutive seasons between 1991 and 2016 and won four Stanley Cups during that stretch. But when the streak ended, the playoff door slammed shut. Detroit now has the second-longest active playoff drought in the NHL, at seven years.
For all the praise that Steve Yzerman gets as a forward-thinking GM, the Red Wings failed to match the improving pace of the Sabres and the Ottawa Senators last season. They finished 12 points out of a playoff spot in the tough Atlantic Division.
But Yzerman made a splash this summer, acquiring scoring star and Michigan native Alex DeBrincat from the Senators.
Yzerman was also one of the busiest GMs in the league on July 1. He added James Reimer and Alex Lyon to his goaltending group, signed defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Justin Holl, and added free-agent forwards J.T. Compher, Klim Kostin, Daniel Sprong and Christian Fischer.
Nearly half of the roster will be new faces when the Red Wings open their regular season in New Jersey on Oct. 12. They’ll be hoping that some of the Devils’ playoff mojo from last year rubs off on them.
It’s time for Little Caesars Arena to host playoff games.
Continued; we can hope that the Red Wings’ depth affords them the ability to out-last the Sabres and Senators this upcoming season…
Big year for the Wings needed. I believe Buffalo and Ottawa have passed them. Montreal is knocking on the door. Chicago could pass them because if draft luck. Can’t wait!