Detroit Red Wings: 2021 NHL Pacific Division Preview

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks reaches for a puck during the first period of a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Honda Center on November 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks reaches for a puck during the first period of a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Honda Center on November 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Vancouver Canucks

2021 Record: 23-29-4

Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs

Projected Cap Hit: $83,710,659

Cap Space: $0

Expected LTIR: Michael Ferland-LW/RW (Cap Hit: $3,500,000)

Expectations: Make Playoffs

Former Red Wings: Madison Bowey

vs Red Wings: Saturday Jan 16 @ Detroit 7:00 PM ET, Thursday Mar 17 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM ET

Players Joining

Jason Dickinson (Dallas)

Oliver Ekman Larsson (Arizona)

Conor Garland (Arizona)

Vasili Podkolzin (KHL)

Phil Di Giuseppe (New York Rangers)

Brad Hunt (Minnesota)

Justin Dowling (Dallas)

Jaroslav Halak (Boston)

Luke Schenn (Tampa Bay)

Tucker Poolman (Winnipeg)

Alex Chiasson (Edmonton)

Players Leaving

Kole Lind (Seattle)

Loui Eriksson (Arizona)

Antoine Roussel (Arizona)

Jay Beagle (Arizona)

Jake Virtanen (KHL)

Tyler Graovac (KHL)

Braden Holtby (Dallas)

Alexander Edler (Los Angeles)

Nate Schmidt (Winnipeg)

Travis Boyd (Arizona)

Jayce Hawryluk (SHL)

Jimmy Vesey (New Jersey)

Jonah Gadjovich (San Jose)

How will the Red Wings stack up against Vancouver?

Vancouver recently re-signed Elias Pettersson to a three-year extension with an annual cap hit of $7.35 million.  They also re-signed Quinn Hughes to a six-year extension with an annual cap hit of $7.85 million.  These two contracts pushed the Canucks dangerously close to the cap ceiling.  On paper, Vancouver looks improved compared to the team that missed the playoffs.  This year, games between Detroit and Vancouver should be exciting and face paced.  Both teams are younger and more skilled.  The season series should be a split between the two teams.