When July 1st hits, the Detroit Red Wings will have a good number of players entering the final season of their respective contracts. For some of these players, you’re probably thinking, “Thank goodness we only have to deal with them for one more year.” This is assuming they won’t get moved first.
As for others, chances are, you’re gonna want them back. Some may be older, but productive, while others are restricted free agents almost guaranteed to land a new deal. So, if you need a rundown for who may not be with the team past the 2025-26 season, keep reading.
Vladimir Tarasenko
I’ve talked a lot about Vladimir Tarasenko, and there’s a chance he doesn’t even see the final year of his contract through. Even if he did, Tarasenko isn’t returning to Hockeytown unless he exceeds 50 points and 20 goals. And even then, there are no guarantees.
Austin Watson
He’s organizational depth who can fare well in an enforcer role, if that’s even still a thing these days. Players like Watson don’t stick around long, so it won’t surprise me when he’s wearing another uniform after his contract expires.
Carter Mazur
If he stays healthy, he’s one to watch on the lower lines. That said, expect Carter Mazur back with the Wings regardless of what happens in 2025-26. Well, unless he doesn’t look like he belongs on NHL ice. Then he may end up somewhere else.
Ben Chiarot
Ben Chiarot was one of the few blueliners who earned his spot for 2025-26, and he can be a vocal leader on the blue line. Chiarot, regardless of how well he plays, may not be back for 2026-27 and beyond, given his age. But if he plays a solid game, the Wings may keep him around on a year-to-year basis.
Justin Holl
Justin Holl is a player the Red Wings should seriously consider buying out. But if they don’t do that, and if they don’t trade Holl, he’s receiving no more than 15 minutes of ice time per game. Or, that’ll be the case if he doesn’t dramatically improve this season.
Erik Gustafsson
Erik Gustafsson did himself no favors in 2024-25 to even warrant coming back this year. If Steve Yzerman doesn’t move him, it wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up as a part-time blueliner with third-pairing minutes.
Simon Edvinsson
A solid rookie season should evolve into a 40-50-point campaign in 2025-26. But even if Edvinsson’s play held steady or stagnated, the 2026 restricted free agent will return on at least a bridge deal.
Petr Mrazek
Petr Mrazek’s heading into the campaign as the backup netminder should the Red Wings not upgrade the position this summer. He’s in his age-33 season, so there’s a chance we’ve seen the last of Mrazek once April 2026 rolls around.
Cam Talbot
Regardless of how well Cam Talbot plays, 2025-26 may be his swan song. He’s going into his age-38 season and, last year, showed he’s not the player he was. That said, he’s still viable for another year if the Red Wings can’t find anyone else.
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