The Daily: Red Wings Place Four in EA Sports Top 100; Kiiskinen Scores

EA Sports’ 2025 ranking of player abilities is another indicator of why pundits are convinced the Detroit Red Wings are no better than a longshot to qualify for the 2025-26 NHL playoffs.

The team’s depth is a question mark.

Detroit shows only four players ranked among the league’s top 100: Dylan Larkin (52nd), Lucas Raymond (53rd), Alex DeBrincat (71st) and Moritz Seider (75th). The highest ranked Red Wings player after Seider is Patrick Kane at 137th. Then, Detroit has no one until Cam Talbot at 189th.

Raymond and Larkin were actually tied, both players earning a rating of 89. Larkin is rated as boasting better acceleration (92-90) and speed (90-89), but Raymond is judged to be the sharper passer (92-91). DeBrincat and Seider both own a rating of 88.

McDavid headlines the Top 10 Overall in #NHL26. 🥇
But who do you really think deserves the #2 spot?
See more Ratings: https://t.co/1ZOOUJeVAz pic.twitter.com/qKTUx5d55K

— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 28, 2025

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Detroit prospect defenseman Nikita Tyurin is competing for a spot on Spartak’s KHL roster, even though the odds are against him.

Former Detroit prospect Igor Grigorenko received an IIHF suspension for doping, even though he is retired as a player.

Grand Rapids Griffins roster boasts a defenseman from Thailand. The NHL has never had a player born in Thailand.

Red Wings Extra

Detroit Jesse Kiskinen, 20, scored another goal in a preseason Finnish league game against Vaxjo. He’s playing his second season for HPK. He will be playing in North America next season, perhaps pushing for a spot on Detroit’s roster. He put up 44 points in 46 games last season.

Jesse Kiiskinen with a snipe🚨 today in preseason against Växjö #LGRW

🎥@Pallokerho pic.twitter.com/2TOMJQz2CT

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 28, 2025

Hockey Now Network

Montreal: The Habs have added interest in college hockey this fall: draft pick Maxon Vig, a defenseman, is heading to Bemidji State, and goalie Alex Cournoyer will play at Cornell.  Center L.J. Mooney is Minnesota-bound. Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia; Garnet Hathaway teams with a brewery to create a beer (Engine 19 IPA) for charity. Some of the proceeds will go to supporting first responders. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explains why Team Canada will always have special admiration for Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh Penguins.