The Athletic’s Max Bultman makes 10 predictions regarding events which he believes will happen over the course of the Red Wings’ 2026-2027 season. Let’s start at the top:

1. Dylan Larkin is traded by Dec. 1

The Larkin situation is hard to handicap. Even beyond Larkin’s trade list, which will continue to play a big part in the process, the Red Wings have to be willing to make a deal knowing the return likely won’t be players who can match Larkin’s Day 1 impact. Realistically, there’s going to have to be a futures component to this.

And yet, eventually, the distraction factor is impossible to avoid for both parties. While the Red Wings are indeed a better team with Larkin in their lineup, everyone will still benefit from a fresh start. Both sides will have to work together to close the book on this saga, and I bet a few weeks of seeing it play out will be enough incentive to wrap it up.

I’ll say Larkin is dealt within the first two months of the season.

Bultman is not so optimistic about the team’s attempts to battle through the season and earn a playoff spot, however:

10. Red Wings finish with 82 points, pick top 5

You’ve likely picked up on it by now, but between the drama, the lack of easy scoring and the talent elsewhere in the Atlantic Division, I foresee a tough season for the Red Wings on tap.

Players such as DeBrincat, Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and Simon Edvinsson (ahem) will keep the Red Wings from falling flat on their face, and young players have room to take on real responsibility, but wins seem hard to come by.

The silver lining: it ends with a top-five pick, just the second time the Red Wings have picked that high in 46 years. The last time, in 2020, they got Raymond. This time, they could use a young star center.

Continued at length (paywall)