Spring Cleaning – Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings entered the 2025-26 season expecting to finally end one of the NHL’s longest playoff droughts. Instead, a promising campaign collapsed during the final months, leaving Detroit outside the postseason for a 10th consecutive year. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Red Wings’ lack of secondary scoring, another damaging late-season fade, and the mounting pressure on General Manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan to make significant changes this offseason.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:00:00] The Detroit Red Wings are officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 11, extending their postseason drought to 10 consecutive seasons. Neil and Vic discuss the expectations surrounding Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan after a relatively quiet offseason highlighted by the additions of John Gibson and James van Riemsdyk.
[00:00:30] Detroit appeared firmly positioned for the playoffs on January 25 with a 32-16-5 record, first place in the Atlantic Division, and a 10-point cushion over the playoff cutline. John Gibson proved to be a successful acquisition, providing the stable goaltending the Red Wings had been missing.
[00:01:00] The conversation turns to Detroit’s lack of offensive depth. Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider once again carried most of the scoring burden, while the supporting cast failed to provide enough consistent production.
[00:01:30] Marco Kasper’s regression becomes one example of Detroit’s secondary-scoring problems. After recording 37 points the previous season, Kasper falls below 20 points in 2025-26, leaving the Red Wings overly dependent on the same small group of established players.
[00:02:00] Neil praises Gibson for solving Detroit’s goaltending concerns and credits James van Riemsdyk for contributing effectively in a limited veteran role. However, neither addition was enough to overcome the club’s lack of depth throughout the lineup.
[00:02:30] Neil and Vic examine Detroit’s repeated late-season collapses. Over the past five years, the Red Wings have consistently struggled during March and April, failing to produce the final push necessary to secure a playoff berth.
[00:03:00] The pressure surrounding the organization reaches a new level. Detroit’s passionate fan base has still never seen a playoff game at Little Caesars Arena, while Steve Yzerman’s return to the franchise has yet to produce a postseason appearance.
[00:03:15] Neil questions whether major changes may be coming within the organization. Dylan Larkin’s leadership is discussed, along with the futures of Todd McLellan and Steve Yzerman after another season in which the Red Wings failed to finish strong.
[00:03:45] Detroit’s acquisition of Justin Faulk from St. Louis appeared to signal that the organization believed it was ready to compete. Instead, the Red Wings continued leaving valuable points on the table and eventually fell out of the playoff race.
[00:04:00] Looking ahead, Detroit enters the offseason with approximately $11.1 million in projected salary cap space but only six selections in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Red Wings no longer own their first- or third-round picks after surrendering them in the Faulk trade.
[00:04:30] The panel reviews Detroit’s unrestricted free agents, including Patrick Kane, David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic, and backup goaltender Cam Talbot. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson headlines the restricted free agent group.
[00:05:00] Neil explains why the offseason presents a difficult challenge for Steve Yzerman. Detroit has cap flexibility, but limited premium draft capital and few obvious internal solutions capable of immediately improving its secondary scoring.
[00:05:30] The episode concludes with uncertainty surrounding the direction of the franchise. Yzerman has traditionally avoided high-risk moves, but after one of the NHL’s most disappointing collapses, Neil believes the Red Wings may finally be forced to make significant changes.
