{"id":571263,"date":"2026-05-10T04:06:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T04:06:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/571263\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T04:06:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T04:06:35","slug":"three-biggest-needs-of-the-red-wings-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/571263\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Biggest Needs of the Red Wings’ Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not a secret that the Red Wings aren\u2019t exactly sitting pretty in the Atlantic Division at the moment. The five teams that finished above Detroit all have reasonable expectations to be back in the playoff mix next season. Below them, the Panthers should be getting a good bill of health this time around, and the Maple Leafs got bailed out with the first overall pick in this year\u2019s entry draft.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s going to be an uphill battle for this team regardless of the moves they make. Frankly, even a huge splash this off-season might not be enough to propel them into the postseason, much less make a run. However, what happens with the rest of the NHL is secondary at the moment; there are some internal needs that need to be tackled this offseason before we can even talk playoffs again.<\/p>\n

Refine the Team Brass<\/p>\n

\"TakeawaysRed Wings coach Todd McLellan (center) with Marco Kasper (left) and Michael Rasmussen (right) | Photo: Mike Mulholland\/GettyImages<\/p>\n

I believe I speak in the majority here when I say Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan are not the biggest problems with the Red Wings organization. At the very least, any big decisions about them shouldn\u2019t be coming during this offseason specifically. But that doesn\u2019t mean the staff around them should be safe. <\/p>\n

Alex Tanguay and his penalty kill finished dead last during the 2024-25 season and only nine spots better this season. The power play was also noticeably worse down the stretch this season, dipping to 12th. I think looking for a replacement in the special teams department would be worth trying.<\/p>\n

After that, I\u2019d take a long glance at this team\u2019s pro-scouting yet again. Bringing in Mason Appleton was another miss, Travis Hamonic was a disaster, and James Van Riemsdyk was adequate at best. Not to mention the logjam of bad contracts this team has crowding the bottom six. It\u2019s been an issue for years, and with Yzerman claiming the team needs better players, the players that let them down are a result of poor scouting.<\/p>\n

Finally, I do wonder about bringing in a new sports psychologist. I know that seems like focusing on a minor detail amidst major issues, but the consistent March collapses and poor performances down the stretch seem mental, at least to some extent.<\/p>\n

Make Decisions about the Youth<\/p>\n

\"\"Former first-round pick, Nate Danielson | Photo via Detroit Hockey Now<\/p>\n

While I\u2019m sure Detroit would love to take the time to see what their picks end up as, it\u2019s an easy way to tank their value if they don\u2019t live up to their pedigree. With so many prospects ready to make the team and more on the way, Yzerman and company need to make some choices about who is going to stay.<\/p>\n

Nate Danielson is the biggest one. If he\u2019s going to play center next season, he\u2019s likely going to be on the fourth line behind Andrew Copp, Marco Kasper, and Dylan Larkin. At that point, he may be better used as a trade asset. If he\u2019s on the wing, it\u2019s going to be hard for him to beat out Michael Brandsegg-Nygard for a top-nine spot.<\/p>\n

With Sebastian Cossa having another poor end to the season and losing the starting spot in the playoffs with Grand Rapids, he may also be another trade piece on the market. Really, any of Detroit\u2019s goalie prospects should be at least made available due to the sheer bulk of them.<\/p>\n

Then the list of other prospects who may never get an NHL look comes into question. Lombardi, Wallinder, Mazur, Becher, Buium, and Johansson all seem to be too low on the depth chart to be seriously considered for this team. If the coaching staff sees it the same way, looking to recoup assets for them is probably the best course of action.<\/p>\n

Trim the Fat<\/p>\n

\"NHLJ.T. Compher (right) skating against Dylan Strome (left) | AP Photo\/Duane Burleson<\/p>\n

This team could use some addition by subtraction. I\u2019ve written about it before, but Detroit has too many players they would be better off without. Clearing roster spots also makes those aforementioned choices about the youth a lot easier, giving them chances to crack the roster.<\/p>\n

A handful of this team\u2019s lackluster bottom-six players will be gone next year, naturally. Both David Perron and James Van Riemsdyk are veterans who are unlikely to come back. While that is a start, it certainly doesn\u2019t cut deep enough.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d also seriously look into cutting at least one, possibly two other players from this bottom six. Ideally, Michael Rasmussen, due to how long he\u2019s been on the team, and J.T. Compher, due to the cap hit. But frankly, even Mason Appleton is someone I would be seriously looking to move off of.<\/p>\n

More to Read<\/p>\n

\"LucasRed Wings forward Lucas Raymond | AP Photo\/Paul Sancya<\/p>\n

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