After a tough start to the NHL season, the Detroit Red Wings have fought their way back into playoff contention with an impressive run of wins. Since hiring veteran coach Todd McLellan on December 26 to replace Derek Lalonde, the Red Wings have gone 8-2-0. They are now only three points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
While this recent success is commendable, it’s important not to get too carried away with expectations. The road ahead for Detroit is tough, and it’s uncertain if they can maintain this momentum. They will face several strong teams in their next 12 games, many of which are also competing for playoff spots.
These include the Tampa Bay Lightning (whom they will play three times), Dallas, Philadelphia, Montreal, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle, and Minnesota.
Out of these 12 games, only a few opponents, like the Flyers and Kraken, might be considered more beatable, but most of the teams are talented and hungry for playoff spots. Detroit will also be playing seven of these 12 games on the road, where they’ve had a less-than-ideal 9-8-2 record this season.
This challenging stretch means the Red Wings need to stay focused, and general manager Steve Yzerman must act quickly to improve the team before the NHL trade deadline on March 7.
With around $9.15 million in salary cap space, Yzerman has the resources to address some of the team’s weaknesses, especially on defense, which is not one of the strongest units in the league.
One possible move could be acquiring a veteran defenseman. Montreal’s David Savard could be a good target, though the Canadiens are also vying for a playoff spot, so Savard may not be available. Another option is San Jose’s Mario Ferraro, whose $3.25 million salary runs through the 2025-26 season. While Ferraro is not a pure rental, he could provide an upgrade to the Red Wings’ defense and bring solid play for around 20 minutes a night.
The Red Wings must take full advantage of their current hot streak to make the playoffs for the first time in nine years. They cannot afford to stop now, and Yzerman will need to make smart decisions to ensure the team finishes strong.
Detroit’s next set of games will determine whether they are legitimate playoff contenders or just a team stuck in the “mushy middle” – not bad enough for a top draft pick but not good enough to make the postseason.
If the Red Wings fail to keep their momentum and miss the playoffs, it could lead to significant changes in the offseason. A playoff spot is within reach, but failing to secure it would reflect poorly on Yzerman’s strategy.
The way Detroit responds to this critical stretch of games will be key in shaping the team’s future. The pressure is on, and the next few weeks will be crucial in deciding the Red Wings’ direction, both in the short term and long term.
