Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: Red Wings Drought Continues; ASP Coming Over
The Montreal Canadiens have not officially earned a playoff spot, but they have done enough to make sure the Detroit Red Wings are officially out of the postseason for the ninth consecutive season.
The Habs lost to Toronto 1-0 in overtime, but by earning one point they made it impossible for Detroit to catch them. The Red Wings, with 81 points, could reach 87 points by winning their final three games (Dallas, New Jersey and Toronto). Montreal is now at 88 points.
Elimination means speculation about changes has already started. The Red Wings likely will attempt to re-sign Patrick Kane, but other potential free agents such as Alex Lyon and Jeff Petry probably won’t be re-signed because Detroit will be adding more younger players next season. GM Steve Yzerman’s first four first-round picks (Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper) are on the roster this season, and Axel Sandin Pellikka projects to be on the squad in 2025-26. Nate Danielson could also be ready.
Sandin Pellikka, with his Swedish team knocked out, will come to North America in the next few days to play possibly for the Red Wings and/or Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Red Wings’ most pressing offseason needs will be a proven scorer and veteran defenseman to play with Moritz Seider.
Red Wings in Case You Missed It
Former Detroit player Sergei Fedorov is unimpressed with where the Red Wings are in their development.
Detroit’s premium defensive prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka will be in Detroit “sooner rather than later.”
Five moves Detroit should have made earlier, including hiring coach Todd McLellan. To subscribe to paywall stories, click here.
Red Wings Extra
Detroit’s last home game is Monday against the Dallas Stars. As of this morning, Detroit (pre NHL draft lottery) would pick 12th in this summer’s NHL draft. That would mean they have no chance at winning the draft lottery. Only the bottom 11 teams qualify to win the lottery. Tankathon’s mock draft has Detroit selecting Lynden Lakovic, a 6-foot-4 Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) forward who scored 27 goals this season.
Hockey Now Network
Florida: Panthers are still in the running for home ice in the postseason. FHN has the details. Florida Panthers.
Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby is considering playing for Canada at the World Championships. Pittsburgh Penguins.
San Jose: Sharks clinch best NHL draft lottery odds. Is that something they should celebrate? San Jose Sharks.Â
Oh shucks, maybe super scout Draper has another son he can draft instead of someone who might actually help.😂
Quite a few players need to go, but it needs to start with Little Caesar moving on from Mr. Yzerman and his “Yzerplan”.
Its hard to get excited about the state of Hockey and then the Wings really have nothing but wishing and hoping coming to save them from more of the same.