Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Red Wings have a lot to worry about. The Atlantic Division continues to improve, and two teams in particular pose a major threat to Detroit's playoff hopes.
Thomas Hickey of NHL Network has ranked two defensive groups from a pair of Red Wings' divisional rivals in the top five of the league. The reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers come in at No. 2, and the upstart Montreal Canadiens are listed at No. 5. Both defensive cores figure to be a lot to handle for the Red Wings this upcoming season.
What are your thoughts on @Thomas_Hickey14's defensive rankings? pic.twitter.com/ULV3stJyYU
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 3, 2025
Panthers reloading for more after back-to-back titles
After back-to-back Stanley Cup victories, the Florida Panthers are going for more. The Panthers have brought back the vast majority of their impact players from their past two title runs, which includes No. 1 defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
When healthy, Ekblad has been a bonafide top-pairing defenseman with great offensive upside. This past season, he scored three goals and collected 30 assists for 33 points in 50 regular season games. He also scored four goals and dished out nine assists for 13 points in 19 playoff games.
Along with Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, Niko Mikkola, Seth Jones, and Dmitry Kulikov make up a Florida defensive group that boasts plenty of experienced veteran players. Nothing comes easy against this group, which makes them a nightmare to play against. Red Wings fans are right to worry about facing the Panthers this season.
Canadiens get more dangerous with the addition of Noah Dobson
The Montreal Canadiens were a playoff team a season ago. They've spent the offseason getting better, as the Habs took took a big step forward earlier this summer with the addition of star defenseman Noah Dobson. The 25-year-old blueliner has potted double-digit goals in four straight seasons, and is one season removed from a 70-point campaign in 2023-24.
He joins a Montreal blue line that already features Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson. Hutson is the reigning Calder Trophy winner, as he dished out 60 assists and added six goals for a total of 66 points in his rookie campaign last season. Hutson is an exceptional skater and puck-handler whose offensive production has elite potential.
Other impact defensive players for the Canadiens include Jayden Struble, Kaiden Guhle, and Arber Xhekaj. Montreal also added some depth with the addition of Zack Bolduc. Overall, Montreal is building their D core very effectively, and it's not surprising to see them receive strong recognition from NHL Network.
Detroit's D core is solid, but is it enough?
Led by Moritz Seider, the Red Wings' defensive group is good, but is it great? The combination of Seider and Simon Edvinsson can be special, but players like Ben Chairot and Justin Holl have proved to be inconsistent.
Albert Johansson can take a big step forward this season, and Steve Yzerman brought in Jacob Bernard-Docker to help provide more depth. While it isn't the flashiest move, it shouldn't be slept on.
Red Wings fans were hoping that Yzerman would bring in a more impact defenseman this offseason. An elite offensive-minded defenseman would do wonders to the Red Wings in 2025-26.
But unless any more moves are made, the Red Wings are rolling with a similar defensive group as last season. It's worth mentioning that Axel Sandin-Pellikka is on the way, and he is among the most exciting young talents in the league. Perhaps Yzerman wants to keep some room on Detroit's D core for him.
Only time will tell if it's enough, but as it stands, Detroit's D core isn't near the top of the Atlantic Division teams.
More from Octopus Thrower