Well, here we are. The 2025-26 regular season has come to an end. It feels like clockwork at this point. Despite a hot start, despite compelling seasons from young players, the team fell apart in March and missed the playoffs. Again and again and again, the team finds a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
At least this time around, a major change should be in the works.
General manager Steve Yzerman cannot enter next season with the same game plan as this season. There comes a time where the roster needs to undergo a fundamental change. This, in turn, means shedding old salaries, bidding players farewell and redefining this team's culture.
Roster turnover is to be expected every year, but this year in particular carries a cast of characters that need to go. These five players have played their last games in the Winged Wheel:
1. Travis Hamonic played himself out of the roster
The first name on this list is kind of a throwaway. It's clear Hamonic played himself out of a roster spot with just two points in 26 games, but, besides that, the signing left many frustrated. Hamonic has among the worst defensive metrics in the NHL across the previous three seasons. Signing him to a contract, no matter how small, signaled a lack of trust in Detroit's defensive core. Fortunately, the team didn't need to rely on him for very long.
Hamonic quickly found himself outplayed by Jacob Bernard-Docker, who supplanted his spot on the starting lineup and earned a contract extension. Thus, Hamonic found himself on the outside of the roster looking in. The 35-year-old hadn't played a game since February, only to play in the season finale. The Red Wings, coincidentally, were routed 8-1 the moment Hamonic got back in the lineup.
It would be a shock to see him on the Red Wings next season, much less in a consistent spot anywhere in the NHL.
2. David Perron has lost a step
As much as Perron was a fan favorite in his first go-around with the Red Wings, it's clear he isn't the player he was all those years ago. In 16 games with the Red Wings since acquiring him, Perron managed just three goals. Despite his tenacity, at 37 years of age, it's clear he isn't as fast as he once was. Still, it's hard to understand what the Red Wings expected out of him.
Did Yzerman bring Perron in for leadership? Scoring? Both? It's hard to say. What he didn't provide in scoring he made up for in relentlessness. There's a chance he finds a spot on another roster, but, as of right now, the Red Wings just don't have room for another middle-six winger. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard will likely take over the rule of the physical, gritty forward with a penchant for scoring.
Whether he retires or finds a home somewhere else, Perron will always be appreciated for his time in Detroit.
3. Cam Talbot is clearing the way for Cossa
It's entirely possible that Talbot finds another one-year deal somewhere in the NHL. Having said that, it's not likely he'll find that in Detroit. The Red Wings have to graduate Sebastian Cossa sooner or later, and, with Talbot in the way, a transition to the NHL isn't possible. Talbot performed perfectly fine for what he is -- a 38-year-old with a .883 save percentage. Unfortunately, that kind of production just won't cut it with the Red Wings moving forward.
Talbot did what was asked of him during his time in Detroit. Whenever he was asked to do more, he came up short. Of all the players that should receive blame this season, Talbot is not one of them.
4. J.T. Compher looks disinterested
Midway through the season, head coach Todd McLellan remarked that many players on the roster were "jerseys". One of them, by all accounts, was J.T. Compher. This is Compher's worst campaign to date in his time in Detroit. Once a 48-point forward, Compher looks like he couldn't care less about what's happening on the ice. In 82 games this season, Compher managed a brutal 11 goals, 16 assists and 28 points.
He seemed completely disinterested during press conferences, too, often replying with throwaway comments like "it is what it is". By all accounts, his putrid production and lack of interest should put him on the outs in Detroit. Unfortunately, his contract, which runs him at $5.1M per season, goes through the 2027-28 season.
If the Red Wings have had enough of Compher, they'll likely have to add assets to move on from him.
5. Michael Rasmussen is checked out
No player has infuriated the fanbase quite like Michael Rasmussen this season. The former first-rounder turned out his absolute worst campaign to date, sporting a putrid six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 64 games. It's his lowest production since his injury-shortened 2020-21 season, where he scored 12 points in 40 games. This type of production, coupled with his lack of effort all season, is unacceptable for a team on the playoff hunt.
Rasmussen signed a contract extension last season and still has two years left on his deal. When cross-referencing his play with head coach Todd McLellan's comments, one can assume that Rasmussen is one of the "jerseys" McLellan referred to earlier this season. Barring an incredible offseason regimen, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Red Wings move on from Rasmussen.
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