Of Red Wings-related note very early on Friday morning:
- The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a very brief set of Red Wings season preview articles, including “5 factors that could help the Red Wings surprise” the NHL in 2026-2027. The first and most obvious one is simple–manage the chaos surrounding Dylan Larkin’s trade request and the team’s inability to sign Simon Edvinsson in a timely fashion by playing the best hockey that the players can play, and coaching the best hockey that the coaches can coach:
Coach Todd McLellan is keeping it as simple and direct as he can, and the Wings have responded in kind.
“We have a good practice, we get ready for the game, and if you’re in a Red Wing jersey, then you’re playing,” McLellan said. “That’s the only way we can deal with it. Everybody has to have their hands on the wheel.”
Forward Andrew Copp believes there are enough hockey-centric matters to concentrate on a daily basis, that keep players’ attentions focused.
“I can’t really worry about if Simon’s going to be here Friday or not, and everyone in here just needs to kind of like focus,” Copp said. “There’s enough to focus on with each individual game, your own line, special teams, the systems, being prepared yourself and as a team to play.”
2. Kulfan also posted a set of player biographies, and we’re going to accentuate the positive here:
Moritz Seider
▶ Age: 25
▶ Height: 6-4
▶ Weight: 211
▶ 2025-26 stats: 82 games, 10 goals, 50 assists, 60 points.
▶ Analysis: Probably the next Wings’ captain, Seider was fifth in the Norris Trophy voting last season and will eventually be a finalist given his upward trajectory year to year. His durability since entering the NHL is astounding.
Lucas Raymond
▶ Age: 24
▶Height: 5-11
▶ Weight: 188
▶ 2025-26 stats: 80 games, 25 goals, 51 assists, 76 points
▶ Analysis: The Wings are hopeful and optimistic Raymond will shoot the puck more and increase that goal total. He has the ability to do that. He’s maturing into one of the best, well-rounded offensive players in the NHL.
3. Finally, independent journalist Brad Galli filed two reports from “The Brad Galli Show’s” YouTube channel, including this take on Dylan Larkin’s situation as the uncertainty around it permeates the Red Wings’ home opener tonight vs. the New York Rangers…
And an exclusive interview with Nate Danielson: