The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the more successful franchises in the history of the NHL. They have 11 Stanley Cups, and 19 division championships, appeared in the playoffs an incredible 64 times, and led the league in points 18 times.
However, some of that success has been due to their minor league affiliates in the American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL. Several prospects have made it through the system and made it to Detroit throughout the years. This season, all three teams are doing something special.
This season, expectations were high across the board for all three. Detroit had reloaded and signed free agents to help them compete with elite teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Grand Rapids Griffins named a new head coach, Dan Watson, who came with plenty of promise and a successful resume. Toledo was also prepared for a big season as they also announced a new coach, Pat Mikesch, who replaced Watson behind the bench.
Plenty of changes for all three teams within the organization as the Red Wings thought those changes were necessary to get back on track. Of the three, Toledo has enjoyed the most success over the years, yet came up empty in the Kelly Cup final.
The Griffins and Red Wings were going through the motions and knew work had to be done. The work has been done and it has paid off so far this season.
This is how each of the three look so far this season:
Detroit Red Wings
With more than half of the Red Wings roster for the 2023-24 season being new due to free agency, Detroit thought they finally had the roster to compete for a playoff spot and they were not wrong. The Red Wings are 34-28-6 for 74 points, good for 5th in the Atlantic Division.
They are one win shy of their entire win total from last season and are in the playoff hunt, something the management wanted to see late in the season. They have a better points percentage (.552 to .488) compared to last season yet they are barely outscoring their opponents 230-229.
Second-year head coach Derek Lalonde is getting the revamped roster to buy into his systems as the team marches toward the end of the season.
With the playoffs still a possibility, will star forward Lucas Raymond continue his hot play? His 57 points lead Detroit and they look to turn things around and grab that important playoff spot.