3 Way Too Early Predictions for The Red Wings After Elimination From the 2025 Playoffs

The Red Wings have once again finished out of the playoffs, for the ninth time since Dylan Larkin's rookie season.

Finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference is not where a storied institution like the Red Wings wants to be. Imagine a team when the team was full of legendary talent and cup-winners. Their most recent win was in 2008.

Finishing with a record of 39-35-8 and 86 points, the team will have to make some changes during the postseason, which might hurt.

That might involve moving on from coaching staff and free agents, but it's a growing pain that needs to happen while the rebuild is ongoing. They already have a core of good talent to grow and build around with Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, and Marco Kasper. We might yet see more prospects trickle in, and veterans leave the organization.

UFAs in the organization may not return, and Alex Lyon may be the first casualty of many as they secured their backup spot with Petr Mrazek during the trade deadline.

Jeff Petry and William Lagesson are two Red Wings defensemen who might find themselves out of work. Lagesson has only played seven games for the Wings, while Petry is 37 and could be pushed out of a spot with the rebuild moving ahead.

While Craig Smith and Tyler Motte could return to the Red Wings lineup, if GM Steve Yzerman can upgrade the bottom six, it's hard to imagine he wouldn't.

The only UFA the team should explore keeping at this point is Patrick Kane, who has found a new home in Hockeytown and played his 1300th NHL game with the Red Wings.

The Red Wings need serious upgrades to the lineup if they want to make the playoffs, and that means spending some serious capital during free agency.

Yzerman will have to act urgently as this is his sixth year as GM of the Red Wings, and they have made it to the playoffs any year during his tenure.

Whiile he has arguably built the team for long-term success, he has failed to provide a competitive option while the prospects simmer in Grand Rapids.

With over $20 million in cap space, Yzerman should aim high for the best players available to upgrade the lineup, especially in the top-six and blue line.