The Detroit Red Wings are focused on improving their standing in the NHL as they aim for a competitive season in 2025-26, hoping to break a nine-year streak outside of the playoffs and the NHL Draft Lottery. The team ended its recent offseason with some significant moves; most notably, they secured goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks during the 2025 NHL Draft, allowing them to part ways with veteran Petr Mrazek along with some future draft picks.
Despite entering free agency with aspirations for impactful additions, the Red Wings found themselves limited as many targeted players did not become available. Instead, they concentrated on strengthening their depth by signing James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, and Jacob Bernard-Docker during the free agency period.
As the offseason progresses, the prospect of further trades seems less likely, and the team’s actions may have reached their conclusion. With the upcoming training camp looming, analysts suggest that Detroit should have prioritized adding a top-six forward as a critical move this offseason.
While addressing the need for a top-four defenseman is also essential, the focus on acquiring a significant offensive player may be more pressing. Despite boasting a potent offense in 2023-24, the Red Wings experienced a notable decline in goal-scoring last season, with only four players managing to score more than 20 goals.
There are internal expectations for improvements, particularly from players like Lucas Raymond, who could potentially hit 90 points after a solid 80-point season, and Marco Kasper who is on track for 20-25 goals. Key players like Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin are also expected to deliver substantial contributions in scoring.
However, beyond these top performers, the team’s scoring depth remains questionable. With Patrick Kane’s scoring ability waning, combined with the struggles of J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp, offensive output could be an area of concern. The recent acquisitions, such as van Riemsdyk and Jonatan Berggren, may bolster bottom-six production, but adding another top-six forward could be pivotal in enhancing the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
As the Red Wings continue to evaluate their roster, optimistically, fans and analysts alike hope for a proactive approach that could reinvigorate their playoff aspirations.