Red Wings currently succeeding while these specific 3 players are failing to live up to expectations
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The Detroit Red Wings are off to a hot start with an 8-4-0 record this season, slotting them at second place in the NHL's Atlantic Division, but with multiple floaters who have yet to contribute to the team's early success, they could be in a much better place if they turned it around.
Not every player this season has flourished similar to Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane or newly added forward Emmitt Finnie this year; some have had quite the slow start to the 2025-26 NHL season.
Now, it is quite early on, but these three players are currently focal points of criticism in the lineup due to a lack of production.
Three Detroit Red Wings off to a rocky start this season
#1: Marco Kasper
Despite a strong showing during Detroit's win over Los Angeles recently, the 21-year-old forward had just three points all season heading into the Red Wings' matchup against the Kings on Friday.
With an 8.8 on-ice shooting percentage, Kasper is not looking like himself early on this season, despite having skillful linemates in Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond. Perhaps the 2C role is too much responsibility for the young forward.
With recent reports suggesting an AHL assignment may benefit his game, Michael Rasmussen has earned himself a career-low ice time per game with an average of just 11:43.
In 11 games so far this season, the 26-year-old forward has three points, including one goal, and a minus-3 rating.
Outside of his point production, the towering 6-foot-6 222lb forward has shied away from physical play.
#3: John Gibson
Acquired by the Red Wings in a large trade this summer, Steve Yzerman believed that he had finally found his number-one goaltender.
All for Cam Talbot to still remain the reigning man in Detroit, due to some shaky performances from John Gibson early on.
The 32-year-old has let in four or more goals in all of his starts, including five on Halloween when he faced his old team, the Anaheim Ducks.
While it is still early on in the season, just passing the first month of October, the Red Wings need everybody to buy into Todd McLellan's current win-now mentality if they hope to break their nine-year playoff drought.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 2 | 652 ANSWERS Red Wings currently succeeding while these specific 3 players are failing to live up to expectations Do you think the Detroit Red Wings will snap their nine-year playoff drought this season? | ||
| Yes | 428 | 65.6 % |
| Maybe | 161 | 24.7 % |
| No | 63 | 9.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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