ESPN’s 2023-2024 NHL season preview combines power rankings, “best and worst-case” scenarios, overall team capsules and more into one big block of text for every team. Here’s what they have to say about the Red Wings:
Last season: 35-37-10, 80 points. Missed playoffs.
Stanley Cup odds: +7500
Key players added: F Alex DeBrincat, F J.T. Compher, F Klim Kostin, F Daniel Sprong, D Shayne Gostisbehere, D Jeff Petry, G James Reimer
Key players lost: F Dominik Kubalik, F Filip Zadina, G Alex NedeljkovicMost fascinating player: DeBrincat. How do you not wonder about what DeBrincat will do for Detroit’s offense? The Red Wings haven’t produced a 40-goal scorer since Marian Hossa hit the mark in 2008-09. That was in Detroit’s heyday of 25 consecutive playoff appearances. Can DeBrincat help ignite the Red Wings’ up front and recapture some of that former glory? It was just two years ago in Chicago that the 24-year-old winger topped out at 41 goals, and he’ll be surrounded by greater talents even in Detroit than he had with Blackhawks (no disrespect to Patrick Kane, of course). DeBrincat wanted a fresh start after his lone season in Ottawa last year, and going home to the Detroit area seems like a perfect match between player and team.
Best case: Detroit’s been biding its time getting back into contender mode. GM Steve Yzerman looks to have his proverbial ducks in a row now for the Red Wings to be back in that space. Yzerman’s club hasn’t reached playoffs since 2016 and the aggressive nature of Detroit’s last two offseasons — adding top-tier young skaters like DeBrincat, rising studs like Ville Husso and veteran voices with David Perron — has all pointed them in a strong direction. Best case scenario now is that it includes a postseason berth. Patience is a virtue, but it’s also got to yield results, too. The Red Wings haven’t shied away from recognizing their flaws and addressing them, like swapping out Nedeljkovic for a seasoned veteran in Reimer to play behind Husso. Detroit looks ready to announce itself onto the postseason stage again.
Worst case: Yzerman wasn’t making moves to improve Detroit at the trade deadline last spring. He — and the team — knew they wouldn’t get over the hump and be a playoff club by April. History repeating itself for an eighth straight year in 2023-24 could spell a disaster of sorts. Detroit can’t have lesser expectations than playoffs given how stacked its roster is at nearly every position compared to where it’s been in years past. Even if injuries pile up there’s ample depth in the Red Wings’ ranks, too, which should keep them from stumbling too hard. Detroit failing to reach its own potential in the coming season could leave ownership no choice but to make changes internally, something that might lead to unnecessary (not to mention destabilizing) turmoil for the team.
X factor: Derek Lalonde. Yzerman inserted the former Tampa Bay Lightning assistant into Detroit’s head-coaching job ahead of last season, and that was a clear learning experience for Lalonde. How can he be better now behind the bench and help these Red Wings rise? Detroit’s special teams improved slightly last season over the previous campaign, and there were improvements made on the defensive side as well. But for Detroit to overtake some of the other Eastern Conference power players and work its way into the playoff picture, its coach has to be pushing the right buttons. Can Lalonde maximize the Red Wings roster and get the most out of their top talents in particular?
Fantasy outlook: With an upgraded defense, Husso is a candidate to rebound from a disappointing debut after the Red Wings invested in him last offseason.
Bold prediction: Lucas Raymond has his breakout.
