2026 Season Preview: Detroit Red Wings
The Yzerplan has failed, Dylan Larkin wants out, and Detroit has far more questions than answers ahead of a critical season.
It’s been ten years since the Detroit Red Wings last made the playoffs, and going on 14 years since they last won a round. With their last Stanley Cup coming in 2008, the failure of the Yzerplan has cost the Red Wings critical time that has amounted to their own version of the “Dark Ages.” Whoever is taking over next needs to ensure that there is a viable plan moving forward to put the past behind them and get this team competing again sooner rather than later.
2025-26 Outcome
Regular Season Results: 41-31-10
The Red Wings were in a near identical situation as the Columbus Blue Jackets down the stretch of the regular season. In the mix for one of the final playoff spots in the East, the Red Wings went 2-6-2 to close out the campaign, losing critical games that cost them the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
For as frustrating that similar experience was for Columbus, the pressure is only amplified in Detroit. An Original Six team with a storied history of championships, the Red Wings playoff drought extends now to a full decade, and has forced Steve Yzerman to take a step back as they now look for a new general manager.
Who’s In and Who’s Out
Patrick Kane ultimately decided to return to Chicago. Aside from that, the Red Wings lost David Perron and Cam Talbot—38 and 39 years old, respectively—who remain unrestricted free agents. In an effort to replace them, the Red Wings went out and signed Viktor Arvidsson, who is coming off a hot year in Boston to a two-year deal. Additionally, they acquired Keegan Kolesar from Vegas for draft capital, signed depth defenseman Jacob Bryson, and added netminder Danill Tarasov to help replenish their goaltending depth with Talbot hitting free agency and Sebastina Cossa being dealt to Utah.
