Detroit Red Wings have fresh faces in effort to end franchise-record 8-year postseason drought
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) deflects the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley
DETROIT RED WINGS
Last season: 41-32-9, missed playoffs for franchise-record eighth straight season.
COACH: Derek Lalonde (76-69-19 in two seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 10 vs. Pittsburgh.
DEPARTURES: C Robby Fabbri, D Shayne Gostisbehere, LW David Perron, G James Reimer, RW Daniel Sprong, D Jake Walman.
ADDITIONS: RW Vladimir Tarasenko, D Erik Gustafsson, G Cam Talbot, C Tyler Motte, RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.
GOALIES: Talbot (27-20-6, 2.5 goals-against average, .913 save percentage), Ville Husso (9-5-2, 3.55, .892).
BetMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 40-1.
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jeff Petry (46), right, and defenseman Simon Edvinsson (77) celebrate Petry's goal on the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley
What to expect
The Red Wings might finally break through and end the franchise's longest playoff drought after losing a tiebreaker for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season. They bolstered an above-average offense by signing Tarasenko to a $9.5 million, two-year deal after he helped Florida win the Stanley Cup and retaining Patrick Kane with a one-year contract worth up to $6.5 million. Captain Dylan Larkin has a chance to be Detroit's first player to score 30-plus goals in four straight seasons since Hall of Famer Henrik Zetterberg did it from 2006-09.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Averaging 3.35 goals, ranking ninth in the league last season, shows the team can score enough to win. The Red Wings should be a top-10 team on the power play for the second straight season. Detroit is deep up front and on the back end, giving Lalonde a lot of lineup options.
The not-so-good: Giving up 3.33 goals a game, a total ahead of just seven NHL teams last year, negates the team's ability to win on a consistent basis. With all due respect to Larkin and Kane, Detroit lacks a superstar that most contending teams have on the roster. Husso had an injury-shortened season, causing concerns for a franchise counting on him.
Players to watch
The Red Wings made big investments in defenseman Moritz Seider ($60 million, seven years) and forward Lucas Raymond ($64.6 million, eight years) and desperately needs them both to become stars very soon.
Husso's health is a big key. When the Red Wings have him on the ice, he increases their chances of winning with a 34-13-7 record.
