Detroit Red Wings face these 3 worst-case scenarios in this upcoming season
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings have attempted to fortify the team's crease and playoff hopes with John Gibson; however, we will see the culmination of Steve Yzerman's efforts take place in Little Caesars Arena this season, with the hopes these three scenarios don't occur.
The Detroit Red Wings have high hopes of a trip to the playoffs after a disappointing last season. The year they finished 6th in the Atlantic Division, and Todd McLellan took the reins near the end.
The team has made conservative moves during the postseason in order to shore up parts of the team surgically.
The Red Wings need to improve not only goaltending, but 5v5 scoring, of which they ranked 27th in the NHL in 2024-25. With only 1.74 5v5 goals per game, it's unacceptable.
The Red Wings need to worry about these three scenarios, in which Todd McLellan needs to find solutions for all variables.
John Gibson Doesn't Deliver On Promises
The Red Wings didn't make any major moves other than John Gibson this offseason. They missed on top-six forwards and defenseman Aaron Ekblad. GM Steve Yzerman needs to see Gibson perform like his past self, which we saw his elite goaltending produce consecutive SV% of .920, .924, .926, and .924.
If he performs underneath .900 SV%, the results could be devastating for Yzerman and the team.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka stays in Grand Rapids Longer than Hoped
Axel Sandin-Pellikka isn't a finished product by far. However, it's accepted that he'll have to spend a minor amount of time in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He's the kind of puck-moving defenseman the Red Wings need. But if he ends up staying in Grand Rapids longer than half the year, it could spell disappointment for the fans and the team.
One of the Big Three Succumbs To A Long-term Injury
The Red Wings are increasingly reliant on a small group of stars who are able to produce points efficiently and consistently. Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, or Dylan Larkin's absence would be a disaster to the team's hopes of a playoff run in 2026.
The Red Wings aren't built with the kind of depth that teams like the Florida Panthers or Edmonton Oilers have, and that is to their peril.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 24 | 174 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings face these 3 worst-case scenarios in this upcoming season Do you think the Detroit Red Wings can escape any of these three scenarios in 2025-26? | ||
| Yes | 89 | 51.1 % |
| No | 85 | 48.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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