DETROIT – Hey, Hey Hockeytown! — We’re officially back!
The Red Wings kick off their 2025-2026 season tonight, Oct. 9, 2025, facing off against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena at 7 p.m.
Could this be the year Detroit finally returns to the playoffs? Here’s what to watch for on the ice:
Rising Rookies
Red Wings fans eager to see a youth movement got their wish this season.
The Wings are giving three prospects a chance after they outperformed many of the veteran players during the preseason:
Axel Sandin-Pellikka: The 20-year-old was the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Known as an offensive defenceman — his puck skills and playmaking make him a credible scoring threat.
Emmitt Finnie: Finnie was a preseason standout, earning a spot on the opening night roster despite some struggles late in camp. The forward was a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. While his exact role is still being defined, he showed promise playing on the top line alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond during preseason.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard stood out as the most impressive rookie during training camp and preseason. The 20-year-old forward, selected 15th overall in the 2024 draft, tied for the team lead with four preseason goals and seven points.
Coaching and Leadership
With Todd McLellan behind the bench for his first full season, the Red Wings hope to build on last year’s momentum.
McLellan took over in Dec. 2024 and led the team to a 26-18-4 record, including their first 4-0 road trip since 1996 and two seven-game winning streaks.
If the team can improve by just five or six points, it could be the difference between making the playoffs or missing out for a 10th year.
Alternate Captains
After rotating alternate captains last season, the team has named Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond as permanent alternates alongside captain Dylan Larkin.
Both Seider and Raymond are cornerstone players, and coach McLellan wanted clear leadership roles this season.
“When I got here last year, we had six or seven rotating alternates, and I didn’t even know who wore them on any given night,” McLellan said. “We’re Original Six. There was always a clear definition of who would wear the A’s.”
Offseason Moves
The Red Wings made several key moves in the 2025 offseason to strengthen the roster:
John Gibson: The goalie was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Petr Mrazek and draft picks. Gibson brings veteran goaltending experience and will rotate with Cam Talbot in net.
James van Riemsdyk: The winger was signed as a free agent to add net-front presence and power play support.
Mason Appleton: Signed to provide depth and toughness to the bottom-six forward group.
The team also traded Vladimir Tarasenko and waived veteran defensemen Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson.
100 Years of Hockeytown
To celebrate 100 years of hockey history, the Centennial jersey will be worn during more than a dozen home games in the 2025-26 season, featuring designs that pay tribute to every era of the team.
The Detroit Cougars tribute features the “Cougar D” logo, which has been brought back as a secondary emblem for the Centennial uniform.
The jersey’s number font draws inspiration from the Cougars’ famous “Barber Pole” uniforms worn during the 1927-28 season.
The Detroit Falcons tribute includes striping along the hem, sleeves, and socks inspired by the Detroit Falcons’ uniforms from 1930 to 1932.
A special Centennial patch will appear on all regular-season home and away jerseys.
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