After getting 17 games of national exposure, Detroit Red Wings fans have every reason to feel optimistic. Unfortunately, not everyone shares in that optimism, including one respected hockey analytics outlet.
JFreshHockey recently shared their point projections on X, And yeah, the Red Wings are looking pretty bad there, with a projected 84 points. That's seventh place in the Atlantic Division, ahead of only the Montreal Canadiens, projected to end the year with 82.
They got the Boston Bruins on a rebound, with a projected 88-point finish. But get this: They also got the Bruins slated to finish sixth in the Atlantic and one of just three teams in the division set to miss the playoffs.
So, with this projection, it means the Red Wings would take over the dishonor of owning the longest current playoff drought in hockey if it comes true. Because they got the Buffalo Sabres slated to end their 14-year skid with 94 points.
This points prediction is the last thing Detroit Red Wings fans need to see happen
Listen, there are a lot of things that don't need to happen for the Wings this season. One of them would involve the Sabres earning a playoff berth while the Wings miss for the 10th straight year.
It doesn't mean they need to give up on the Yzerplan, but a contingent of fans will be saying, "That's enough. He was a great player for us, and a solid executive down in Tampa. But he was terrible in our front office."
Especially after the kind of offseason the Sabres had. One that saw them get progressively worse when they sent JJ Peterka to Utah for a middle-six forward (at best) and a middle-pairing defenseman.
Sure, some Wings fans will insist that the organization "stays the course." And why not, considering their prospects pool and how many will make the jump to the NHL in a few years tops? But the Sabres earning a trip to the playoffs would put a bad taste in everyone's mouths.
Red Wings also can't afford to regress in Year 2 under Todd McLellan
Are the Red Wings a playoff team? They'll.need to play better hockey after the Olympic break and hope a few teams collapse after it if they plan on playing in late April.
But they're not bad enough to regress. Not with Lucas Raymond slated to take another step alongside Marco Kasper and defenseman Simon Edvinsson. Not with what should be viable play in the net.
So, let's hope JFreshHockey's projection doesn't manifest. If it does, half the fanbase will be at its breaking point if it hasn't already reached it. We'll see if the Wings have it in them to contend this season.