In a tough Atlantic Division, if the Red Wings want to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2016, they are going to need plenty of wins in divisional matchups.
With plenty of talent to go around, here are the top three lines in the Atlantic Division that Red Wings fans should worry about this season. For reference, all projected lines are current as of this publishing on Daily Faceoff. It's important to note that these lines are speculative and subject to change between now and opening night.
1. Carter Verhaeghe, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers)
It goes without saying that the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champions are loaded. The Panthers have locked up Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Vergaeghe, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Seth Jones, Anton Lundell, and Gustav Forsling until at least 2030. That's not only a problem for the Red Wings and the Atlantic Division, but the NHL as a whole.
As it stands, Daily Faceoff has Florida's top line consisting of Carter Verhaeghe, Aleksander Barkov, and Sam Reinhart. Barkov is one of the best 200-foot players in the league, and he is among the most dangerous centers in hockey in all situations.
Reinhart has exploded to stardom since coming to South Florida, and has potted 30-plus goals in four straight seasons, including a whopping 57 in 2023-24.
Verhaeghe saw a 19-point drop from 2023-24 to 2024-25, but he's still amassed 198 points (96 goals, 102 assists) over the last three seasons. His shooting percentage of 8.3 last season was a career-low, and was well below his career average of 13.4. He still fired 241 shots on goal over 81 games, so he could be due for some positive regression this season.
Even if Florida tinkers with their lines and moves Matthew Tkachuck and/or Sam Bennett up to their top line, they will still be a major problem.
2. Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Despite seeing Steven Stamkos head to Nashville last offseason, the Lightning still paced the NHL with 3.56 goals per game in 2024-25. With playmakers such as Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, and Brayden Point manning your top line, you're going to be in good shape.
Guentzel was already an elite playmaker before coming to Tampa, and all he did in his first season with the Bolts was pot 41 goals and dish out 39 assists for 80 point in 80 games. He is more than comfortable in Tampa, and now that he has a full season under his belt, could be in line for even bigger numbers in 2025-26.
Point and Kucherov have both been lethal against the Red Wings in their careers. Point has scored 20 goals in 38 career games against the Red Wings, while Kucherov has 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points in 40 career games against Detroit.
Tampa Bay is among the most experienced teams in the NHL, and their top line gives the Red Wings a lot to worry about.
3. Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux (Ottawa Senators)
The Ottawa Senators have been a thorn in the Red Wings' side over the last few seasons. Since the start of the 2021-22 season, the Detroit has just three wins in 15 matchups against Ottawa. The Senators have had a relatively quiet offseason, and the Red Wings need to be ready to take advantage.
However, Detroit still has to worry about Ottawa's top line that features Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Claude Giroux. Stutzle and Tkachuk bring a strong, physical game to the ice that has given Detroit fits over the years.
Giroux brings a veteran presence to Ottawa's young core, and while he hasn't been lighting up the score sheet over his three years with the Senators, he's still a durable forward who could easily reach the 60-point mark.
Don't be surprised if Ottawa opts to utilize Fabian Zetterlund in their top line at some point as well. The Senators traded for Zetterlund in March, and earlier this summer, signed him to a three-year contract with an AAV of $4.275 million.
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