2024-25 Detroit Red Wings
2023-24 Season
The Red Wings, after a few seasons of failing to be playoff contenders, turned things around in 2023-24. The team finished with a 41-32-9 record. The team improved from the previous year by six wins. They were not eliminated from playoff contention until the final game of the season. Face of the franchise Dylan Larkin led the Wings with 33 goals. Meanwhile, Alex Lyon stepped up in goal and led the team with 21 wins.
2023-24 Off-season
Following narrowly missing the playoffs, the Red Wings entered the off-season seeking to improve the roster. However, the Wings did lose two key pieces from the team. Forward David Perron, who served as an alternate captain for the team, left in free agency. In addition, defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere, who led the team with with 46 assists, also left via free agency.
Despite the subtractions, there were some additions for the team. Tyler Motte joined the team on a one-year contract. In a bigger move, the Red Wings signed two-time Stanley Cup Champion Vladimir Tarasenko. Motte brings a forechecking presence to the lineup. Tarasenko, meanwhile, brings a reliable offensive presence. His near 40-goal seasons may be a thing of the past, but the Russian Tank is coming off back-to-back 50-point seasons. While neither Motte or Tarasenko can compensate for the defensive loss of Gostisbehere, they will be assets in the offensive zone.
Projected Lineup
Forwards
DeBrincat-Larkin-Raymond
Tarasenko-Compher-Kane
Rasmussen-Copp-Berggren
Motte-Veleno-Fischer
Top Six
This is a great top six. Each of the first two lines have a solidified centre with playmakers on the wing. Lucas Raymond had his breakout season last year with 31 goals and 72 points. His first two seasons showed he was an offensive threat, but he found another level last year. Alex DeBrincat, coming off an All-Star first season in Detroit, will look to build off that success. Dylan Larkin continues to show he is the face of the franchise in the Motor City.
On the second line, Patrick Kane returns after a successful first season with the Red Wings. This was a great keep for the Red Wings. Kane really helped move the needle last season. The second line is made of former Stanley Cup Champions. Kane is a three-time champion, Tarasenko a two-time champion, and J.T. Compher won Lord Stanley in 2021. Furthermore, these are still productive forwards who bring talent as well as experience.
Bottom Six
Andrew Copp and newcomber Motte should be the glue that holds the bottom-six together. Both are strong forecheckers and who can play on both ends of the ice. Michael Rasmussen is an interesting player to watch. In five seasons, he has only played in 70+ games twice. When in the lineup, he can be an effective player. The bottom six is certainly full of question marks, but as said before, Copp and Motte should help the bottom six take shape and find their groove.
Defence
Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-Petry
Maatta-Gustafsson
Top Four
Despite the loss of Gostisbehere, there is still veteran talent on the top four. Ben Chiarot enters his third season with the Wings coming off a 20-point season last year. Moritz Seider will look to continue his strong start to his career. Seider has yet to miss a regular season game. Furthermore, he has consistently recorded 40+ points in his young career.
On the second pairing, Simon Edvinsson will take on a full-time role in the NHL for the first time. The 2021 draft pick profiles as someone who can play both ends of the ice effectively but has the most upside as an offensive-defenceman. Edvinsson will be paired with veteran Jeff Petry. Petry enters the season five goals away from 100. Petry has been an effective defenceman in his career. The 15-year veteran will serve as a mentor to Edvinsson. In addition, Petry’s defesnsive capabilities will be a nice compliment to Edvinsson’s offensive upside. This has the potential to be an effective pairing for the Red Wings.
Bottom Pair
Veterans will take the bottom pair for the Red Wings. Olli Maatta and Erik Gustafsson will serve as a reliable pairing for the team. Both are strong defenders who can chip in on offence. Furthermore, Maatta provides a championship pedigree inside the locker room. The bottom pair will round out what has the potential to have a strong impact on the team.
Goalies
Alex Lyon
Once again, three goalies will factor into the equation for the Red Wings this season. 11-year veteran Cam Talbot joins his eighth NHL team looking to make an impact. Alex Lyon, who was the backup last season but still led the team in wins, will look to replicate his career highs from the 2022-23 season. Ville Husso, meanwhile, will look to rebound following injuries during the second half of last season. The 29-year old was traded for and extended to be the guy in Detroit. Despite not being able to play during the Red Wings push for the playoffs last year, Husso believes the challenges he faced make him a better goalie.
“I love the game, so I just want to get out there and enjoy playing again,” Husso said. “Watching these last couple home games and how crazy the building was and seeing fans, how into it they are, and I’m not able to help the team, I think that was on my head.”
Players to Watch
Patrick Kane
It is said Father Time is undefeated, but Kane has not appeared to succumb to the adage. His Hart Trophy days are in the past, but the future Hall of Famer is still scoring 20 goals a season. Furthermore, he scored 20 goals last year despite only playing in 50 games. With playmakers around him, Kane may find himself flirting with another 30-goal season. For the Red Wings, that would be a dream come to.
Vladimir Tarasenko
The Red Wings will need someone to replace the production lost when David Perron left. Tarasenko is the obvious candidate to do that. Tarasenko scored 23 goals in 76 games last year. One could argue he will have a better supporting cast this year with Kane and J.T. Compher. This may lead to an uptick in points, whether they be goals or assists.
Simon Edvinsson
We could use this spot for Dylan Larkin or Lucas Raymond, but the truth is, Edvinsson really feels like dark horse candidate to have a breakout season. We have talked about his offensive upside. Something that needs to be kept in mind is the additional playmakers Edvinsson will be in the ice with. Players like Raymond, Larkin, Kane, etc. will give Edvinsson an opportunity to highly contribute. Edvinsson could serve a role with the team like Brian Rafalski did. A reliable defenceman who is able to contribute on offence.
In addition, Edvinsson should be considered a sleeper pick for the Calder Trophy for the league’s top rookie. Having only played in 25 NHL games, he still qualifies as a rookie.
Predictions for the 2024-25 Red Wings
The Red Wings were an unexpected playoff contender last season. That is not going to be the case this season. The Wings will enter the season as prime playoff contenders. While the team has lost some key pieces, they have also added and retained as well. Young players will get an opportunity to make an impact with higher playing time.
The biggest X-factor for this team is the goaltending. Can Husso get healthy and be effective? If not, is Talbot the answer? Can Lyon replicate and build on last season? The rest of the roster is in great ship. It comes down to the goaltending. If the Wings are strong between the pipes, the team should expected to be right in the mix for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If not, it will be a tall order for the team. In addition, it may require some action at the trade deadline.
The bottom line is, the Red Wings are here to play. They are ready to take the next step and compete for the next Stanley Cup in franchise history. Fun times have returned in Hockeytown.
Main Photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
