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Are the Detroit Red Wings Playoff Dark Horses in 2023-24?

By Richard Jelinek

RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 11: Joe Veleno #90 of the Detroit Red Wings eyes the puck at face off during the third period of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on April 11, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 11: Joe Veleno #90 of the Detroit Red Wings eyes the puck at face off during the third period of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on April 11, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images) /
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Last season, the Detroit Red Wings narrowly missed the playoffs after a remarkable first half of the season. Reloading and focused, general manager Steve Yzerman has given this Red Wings team new life and a chance at a playoff spot. However, how do the Atlantic Division transactions affect the Red Wings chances?

 Detroit Red Wings Have a Chance at the Playoffs

Detroit had the chance to make the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2017 season. While that did not occur, it gave Detroit a realistic look of what a playoff race would look like late into the season. The red Wings made additions to the roster but these changes did not factor in the way the organization would have hoped. The season ended as the Red Wings compiled a record of 36-37-10 for 80 points and seventh place in the Atlantic Division. They also missed out on a wild card spot, finishing 12 points behind the eventual wild card winners, the Florida Panthers.The organization had to do something to give this team a fighting chance later in the season.

Among the moves this off-season was Yzerman acquiring potential 40-goal scorer, Alex DeBrincat, from the division rival Ottawa Senators, also in the hunt for a playoff spot. This move gave Detroit a legit goal scorer, something they had not had in many years. This move also takes away scoring from the Senators, who did not make any significant moves this off-season to improve their chances at the postseason. The Boston Bruins lost both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retirement. The Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers did not make any major moves either, sticking to the same roster as last season. The Toronto Maple Leafs did make several moves, including signing Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, and John Klingberg as they are built for more success in the postseason.

With the Red Wings additions, plus the lack of moves by other teams above them in the Atlantic Division, do not guarantee them a playoff spot, this does give Detroit a fighting chance at one. They have improved enough to grab a playoff spot, or even a wild card spot. This could be the season Detroit sneaks up on teams and grabs one of those spots for a chance at Lord Stanley.

They do look good on paper but we cannot rule out an injury, trade, or another team in the Atlantic Division making a major move. One of the reasons could be a factor come playoff time is their goaltending, which seems more reliable with the tandem of Ville Husso and James Reimer. Is this tandem better than last season with Husso, Magnus Hellberg, and Alex Nedeljkovic? Will HUsso regain his form from early last season to carry this team all season? Husso will  likely be the number one, playing close to the 55-60 game mark.

We also have to look at the rumor that has come out recently that the Detroit Red Wings and free agent Patrick Kane may be in talks. Kane specifically mentioned Detroit as a team he would like to sign with after he fully recovers from hip surgery, which he had on June 1st and calls for a four-six month recovery time. If signed, Kane would likely be reunited with former Chicago Blackhawks teammate DeBrincat, who scored 41 goals twice while playing on Kane’s line (2018-19 and 2021-22). While the roster seems crowded now, the addition of Kane could be the missing piece that sends Detroit to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

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