2025-26
Record: 41-31-10, 92 points, 6th in Atlantic Division
Playoffs: Missed Stanley Cup Playoffs
Key Losses
F – Patrick Kane (CHI), F – James van Riemsdyk (Free Agency), F – David Perron (Free Agency), G – Cam Talbot (Free Agency), GM – Steve Yzerman (Transitioned to Senior Advisor)
Key Additions
F – Viktor Arvidsson (Signed via FA), G – Daniil Tarasov (Signed via FA), D – Jacob Bryson (Signed via FA), F – Keegan Kolesar (Trade w/ VGK), GM – (Hired)
2026-27 Preview
Can The Wings Finally Make the Playoffs?
Tell me if you’ve heard this before.
In April 2019, Steve Yzerman became general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, and in that time their playoff drought extended to 10 seasons. In the 7 seasons overseeing the team, he has had mixed results. Garnering finishes between 5th and 7th place in the Atlantic Division (and the one year in the Central due to COVID-19). Yzerman is in desperate need of a playoff appearance, or after 8 years with the only team he ever played for, Yzerman could be out of the job.
If you’ve heard this before, it’s because I wrote this in last year’s team preview for the Detroit Red Wings.
Yzerman’s tenure as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings officially came to an end on Wednesday, July 15, when the organization announced that he would transition from his roles as Executive Vice President and General Manager to Senior Advisor to Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch.
Yzerman would remain in the General Manager role in the interim until a new successor would be named.
Handling the Larkin Situation
One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Red Wings this offseason has been captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request. Seeking a fresh start, Larkin reportedly informed the organization that he would be willing to waive his no-move clause only for a select group of teams. Initially, his preferred destinations were the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights, with the Dallas Stars later being added to the list.
Former Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman had acknowledged Larkin’s request but had stopped short of indicating that a trade was imminent. Instead, Yzerman had stated that he expected the captain to report to training camp and continue fulfilling the five years remaining on his contract unless a deal that benefits the organization can be reached.
Larkin’s limited list of preferred destinations complicates matters considerably. The four teams he is reportedly willing to join are established Stanley Cup contenders, many of which have limited salary-cap flexibility and may be reluctant to part with key roster players. That significantly narrows the pool of realistic trade scenarios and could make it difficult for Detroit to receive fair value in return.
Beyond the on-ice implications, the situation also creates uncertainty within the Red Wings’ locker room. Anytime a team captain publicly seeks a trade, questions naturally arise about the organization’s direction and the morale of the players who remain.
Whether Larkin is ultimately moved or begins the season in Detroit, his future will remain one of the NHL’s most closely watched storylines heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Emmitt Finnie — Dylan Larkin — Lucas Raymond
Alex DeBrincat — Andrew Copp — Viktor Arvidsson
Carter Mazur — Marco Kasper — Mason Appleton
Michael Rasmussen — J.T. Compher — Keegan Kolesar
Defense
Simon Edvinsson — Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot — Justin Faulk
Albert Johansson — Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Goalies
John Gibson
Daniil Tarasov