The Detroit Red Wings are going to be "that team" in 2025-26. A team that, if you ask for an NHL insider's or expert's take on them, you will get a different opinion every time. While insiders like Elliotte Friedman aren't so hot on the Wings this season, those at The Athletic have a different opinion.
The outlet's NHL staff of Jesse Granger, Shayna Goldman, Sean Gentille, James Mirtle, and Mark Lazerus, among others, made projections like who will win the Stanley Cup, who's finishing in second, who will surprise, who will disappoint, and who could be a "dark horse Cup contender." The Wings didn't make any noise as a potential Cup contender in those predictions, but the staff favored Detroit as a "surprise playoff team."
Out of 35 responses in the poll, the Anaheim Ducks took over 51 percent of the vote, but the Wings clocked in at No. 2 with 20 percent, ahead of the New York Islanders (14.3), the Calgary Flames (8.6), and the Boston Bruins (5.7). While the Wings didn't win the poll, they were the top team listed in the Eastern Conference.
Red Wings could be a surprise playoff team, but their path may not be easy
Those same 35 responders also listed the Red Wings at No. 11 when compared to the rest of the East, with 17.1 percent saying they would earn a playoff berth. Not as much optimism, but the fact they're on the radar as a surprise means it's not totally out of the question that the Wings will end their drought.
Mark Lazerus gave some insight, saying, "You really have to feel for Detroit and Buffalo fans at this point. It’s likely going to take a serious backslide from somebody — or the leap forward from one of them that we’ve been waiting on for eons — for the Red Wings or Sabres to end their playoff droughts."
Who will "take a serious backslide?"
Each year, there is always a team projected to walk into the playoffs that will either miss out or barely get in as a wild card. Last season, there were two, as the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins surprised their fans in the worst ways and missed out.
While it would be a stretch to say the Florida Panthers will fall out of contention even with Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov shelved. The Carolina Hurricanes are in crunch time, and the Tampa Bay Lightning is bringing back almost the same team as the 2024-25 version. In Toronto, Matt Knies will take over Mitch Marner's spot in the Core Four, while the Washington Capitals will stay relevant for as long as Alex Ovechkin is in town.
The New Jersey Devils could be fringe, and if the New York Rangers climb back into the Metro Division's top three, Jersey could be on the verge of collapse. Every year, it seems like injuries hamper them down the stretch, and that could spell trouble for them.
Right now, The Athletic has them both pegged to play in the postseason, while the Canadiens make up the final seed. Montreal could still be fringe, but they are poised to build on their surprise campaign from a season ago, and they have only added young talent in Ivan Demidov and Noah Dobson.
If the Wings were to sneak in, the Devils would be that team falling out of contention. Most likely, it would come with injuries affecting them, and it would put the Wings in a fight for that final wild card spot, most likely with, per The Athletic, the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets.
But then again, maybe the Wings get it together early, go on a surprise run, and outmuscle someone like New Jersey or Montreal to sneak in and grab a wild card spot?