Detroit Red Wings’ season preview: Will the Yzerplan deliver in 2023?

The Detroit Red Wings may not be out west and the storylines have changed.

The Western Conference does not hold the storylines as it once did when the Detroit Red Wings since they moved to the East. The rivalries with Chicago, Colorado, and St Louis no longer have the same hatred and emotion as it once had. The West also reminds me of the late nights as a child listening to the radio while the Red Wings made the Western Canada and California trip. I do not miss the West outside of not getting to see the Vegas Golden Knights and Seatle Kraken more often.

If you are a super fan or just getting into the game, there will be must-watch television. Only being able to see the Detroit Red Wings play against Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard a total of four times each is not enough.

The Detroit Red Wings did not compete well last season with the Central Division. They earned a measly thirteen points in sixteen contests. The offense never clicks and limited netting just a small fraction over two goals a game. Ultimately, they need to split with the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars. With players like Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskinen, Joe Pavelski and Nathan McKinnon, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and Devon Toews for the Stars and Avalanche, respectively will prove that even splitting will be no easy task.

The Red Wings need to sweep the obtain three of four points from Arizona, Chicago, St. Louis, and Winnipeg. While each one of those teams has rising star power, I think the turnover on the Red Wings roster makes them more competitive and will be able to do so. I think it is reasonable that the Wild and Predators will split with the Red Wings again.

The Pacific Division was a bright spot for the Detroit Red Wings in 2022-2023. They earned two-thirds of their possible points and can repeat. the only teams the Red Wings did not split with were the Kings and the Kraken. The Kings have a strong back end and maybe the best center depth in the league.

This will prove difficult for the Wings to earn a split. The Kraken has created an identity of four “second lines”. The Kraken also has the budding young star, Matty Beniers, whose ability to be a game-breaker will be more evident this season, making it a task for the Red Wings to even the season series.

San Jose and Anaheim are still a few steps behind in comparison to the Yzerman in Detroit. San Jose needs to see if it can part from any more hefty contracts. Maybe Logan Couture ends up in Boston, or Marc Vlasic is retained for 50% of his contact. With or without these moves, the Sharks lack the ability to keep up with the Red Wings’ speed and depth. The Ducks with also struggle with the Red Wings. While the Ducks have young, skilled players, they do not have the experience to compete with the Wings.

Players like David Perron, Andrew Copp, and JT Compher should create terrible matchups for the young team with their hard play and grit. The Calgary Flames should have a bounce-back year but are going to need to find a new identity. The Red Wings will sweep them again. Vancouver will see a similar fate again. It would be nice to see Lucas Raymond take a big step while playing against countryman Elias Pettersson.

The two teams that will make it most difficult for the Detroit Red Wings this season will be the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights. While Moritz Seider has proven he is one player who can steadily defend Conner McDavid and fellow German Leon Draisaitl, a healthy Oilers squad will be difficult to contain. The Oilers are also motivated to win the cup in a similar fashion to the Leafs. McDavid and Draisaitl need to prove that they can coexist and win a cup. I think the Wings will split.

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights round out the preview. If there is a good sign in Motown, is that the Knights won the cup with a massive defense core that the Red Wings are starting to emulate. It will be a show to see how these teams compare when they meet at the end of January. Jack Eichel was an x-factor for Vegas last season and will be even more comfortable with his team. I think that in order for the Wings to split, they need to contain Eichel and not get pushed around by Will Carrier, Nicholas Roy, and Keegan Kolesar. If they can handle their attack, they can split.

The Detroit Red Wings play thirty-two games against the West. If they can improve on their fifteen victories from last year to 18-20 wins, playoffs will be a lock.