The Detroit Red Wings have stunned the hockey world and fans alike by surging to the top of the Atlantic Division coming out of the three-day Christmas break. With a 22-13-3 record and an impressive 8-2-0 mark in their last ten games before their Dec. 27 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Red Wings have defied preseason expectations and established themselves as genuine contenders for the first time under the guidance of general manager Steve Yzerman.
Their recent stretch of success has energized fans and reignited hopes for a playoff run, making Detroit one of the league’s most compelling stories as the calendar turns to 2026.
Detroit’s resurgence has been fueled by a dynamic offense and improved defensive play. The Red Wings are averaging 3.11 goals per game, ranking them 13th in league scoring. Their shot generation is 29.5 shots per game, showcasing a more aggressive attack than in previous seasons. Defensively, they’ve allowed 3.16 goals per game and 27.4 shots against per contest, reflecting a tighter structure but still leaving a ton of room for improvement.
Special teams have played a pivotal role in Detroit’s success. The Red Wings' power play operates at a solid 24.8 percent, converting critical chances and keeping them in close games. The penalty kill, however, remains a concern at 80.4 percent, placing it 18th overall, exposing vulnerabilities against opponents.
While the Red Wings’ offensive output, paired with the resurgence of veteran goaltender John Gibson, has powered their climb up the standings, but some defensive lapses persist. The team’s goals-against average, while improved, is still susceptible to breakdowns, especially in transition.
The penalty kill struggles (at times) have led to costly goals in tight contests, underscoring the need for greater discipline and tactical refinement. Detroit’s blue-line depth and defensive-zone coverage will need to be addressed for sustained success, particularly as playoff intensity ramps up. Recently, I mentioned four defensemen the Detroit Red Wings should target ahead of the deadline, which will also aid their current troubles.
3 forwards the Detroit Red Wings need to add ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline
With the NHL Trade Deadline approaching, GM Steve Yzerman faces a pivotal opportunity to strengthen the roster for the first time in his tenure. The Red Wings’ offensive core is formidable, but adding another proven forward could provide the much-needed scoring depth ahead of a potential playoff push.
Ryan O'Reilly - Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators currently sit fifth in the Central Division in the Western Conference, and trail the third-place Minnesota Wild by a mere 14 points. And don't forget, the Wild recently made a blockbuster deal for Quinn Hughes, which should further solidify themselves in the top three down the stretch.
Ryan O’Reilly, currently centring Nashville’s top line, is posting 11 goals and 21 assists through 36 games. O'Reilly is a versatile center who performs on the power play and penalty kill. He'd be a nice upgrade in Detroit's lineup and would ideally slot in between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane.
This would allow head coach Todd McLellan to deploy a third line of Andrew Copp, with John Leonard and either Michael Rasmussen or James van Riemsdyk. O'Reilly plays a physical brand of hockey that would be welcomed by Detroit Red Wings fans alike.
Analytically, he boasts a 53.0 (xGF) in expected goals for and a Corsi For Percentage (CF%) of 56.0. That complements his reliable point-per-60 output, which is 2.38. O’Reilly is signed through 2026 at a $4.5 million AAV, so he'd be slightly more than a rental for the Red Wings, and that should also be attractive to Yzerman.
Tyler Bertuzzi - Chicago Blackhawks
He's not the stalwart two-way forward O'Rielly is, but former Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi wouldn't just be a familiar face but also bring a blend of sandpaper and scoring touch to Detroit's top-nine.
Bertuzzi, 30, has tallied 16 goals and 10 assists in his first 33 games for Chicago this season, maintaining a 42.3 goals-for percentage, paired with a Relative Expected Goals For of 3.9. His gritty style and net-front presence are complemented by a Corsi For Percentage of 48 on a bad team currently without star Connor Bedard.
Bertuzzi is in year two of a four-year, $5.5 million AAV, making him more than a rental option for the Red Wings. Bertuzzi doesn't help solve Detroit's penalty kill issues, but he would further enhance the power play and add much-needed depth to the lineup. Bertuzzi once scored 30 goals for the Red Wings, and amassed 88 goals and 202 points in 305 games over parts of seven years with Detroit.
Nazem Kadri - Calgary Flames
This one is a bit outside the box, but adding the ultra-pest, Nazem Kadri, would certainly solidify Detroit's playoff hopes. His style of play is built for the postseason, and he'd more than strengthen the middle of Detroit's lineup in all facets of the game.
He would slot in perfectly behind Dylan Larkin in Detroit's lineup. Kadri, a London, Ontario native, is enjoying a productive year on a lonely Calgary team.
Kadri, anchoring Calgary’s top line, has notched eight goals and 31 points in 37 games this season. He's produced an impressive 53.3 Corsi For Percentage while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice per night.
His physicality and clutch playoff pedigree would be invaluable for Detroit’s young core. Kadri’s contract runs through 2029 at a $7 million AAV, which is a significant commitment. Although Yzerman seems only interested in adding impact players with term, it begs the question: Would he be willing to commit to such a deal? Kadri does bring proven leadership and versatility.