‘Bold Predictions’ from Bultman

The Athletic’s Max Bultman makes “bold predictions” regarding the Red Wings this morning, and we’ll start at the beginning, and end at the end:

1. Dylan Larkin scores 40 goals

Boldness level: 3 out of 5
Confidence level: 60 percent

OK, I’m using this one for the second year in a row. It fell short for me last year, but I stand by the spirit of it! Larkin had 33 goals in 68 games, which over an 82-game season totals out to a 39.7-goal pace.

Still, the franchise’s 40-goal drought is now at 15 seasons, not reached since Marian Hossa in 2008-09. But I think Larkin is the guy to break it. He’s found a whole new level as a scorer over the past three seasons, and last year Detroit finally surrounded him with the kind of talent needed to threaten 40. On most nights, Larkin will be playing with two of Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. His results last season proved what that looks like on the scoresheet.

The question now is just health, as he hasn’t played a full 82 games since 2018. He hit 80 just two seasons ago, though, and if he can do that again, I think it’ll be enough to make this prediction come true.

…

10. The Red Wings miss the playoffs for the ninth straight year

Boldness level: 2 out of 5
Confidence level: 55 percent

I was torn here. On one hand, I do think the Red Wings are going to see some legit internal improvement from players like Larkin, Raymond, Edvinsson and Kasper. You can see that in these predictions.

But the makeup of the team is very similar to last season, and while that team came up just a tiebreaker short of the playoffs, that run came with some unfavorable underlying numbers and an unusually low cutoff for the playoffs (91 points). With an Eastern Conference field that saw several hopefuls improve (namely Ottawa, Washington and New Jersey), I think Detroit will be on the outside looking in once more.

My prediction is 89 points, two fewer than last season, representing the first time the team has taken a (small) step back under Steve Yzerman.

Continued (paywall); again, nobody’s going to believe that the Red Wings can make the playoffs but the Red Wings themselves.