Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Detroit Red Wings are a contradiction.
They’re rebuilding, yet they’re loaded with veteran players. They’ve improved over the last few years, but are due for regression.
At least, this has been the narrative in the lead-up to the season. Outsiders do not see the Red Wings as a playoff contender.
But if you ask any of the Red Wings players, they’re ready to break through. Playoffs are within reach. They have the talent and depth to take a step forward this year and finally return to the postseason.
So which is it? Today, we’ll take a look at Detroit’s lineup, a few key factors, and some scoring projections to see what this team is all about.
2024-25 Red Wings Depth Chart
Here’s a look at Detroit’s NHL depth chart now that the preseason is over and roles are firmed up:
| LW | C | RW |
| Alex DeBrincat | Dylan Larkin | Lucas Raymond |
| Patrick Kane | J.T. Compher | Vladimir Tarasenko |
| Michael Rasmussen | Andrew Copp | Christian Fischer |
| Jonatan Berggren | Joe Veleno | Tyler Motte |
| LD | RD | G |
| Ben Chiarot | Moritz Seider | Ville Husso |
| Simon Edvinsson | Jeff Petry | Cam Talbot |
| Olli Määttä | Erik Gustafsson | Alex Lyon |
| Albert Johansson |
| Position | PP1 | PP2 |
| Quarterback | Moritz Seider | Erik Gustafsson |
| Left Flank | Alex DeBrincat | Jonatan Berggren |
| Right Flank | Patrick Kane | Vladimir Tarasenko |
| Bumper | Dylan Larkin | Joe Veleno |
| Net Front/Side of Net | Lucas Raymond | J.T. Compher |
| Position | PK1 | PK2 | PK3 |
| Forward 1 | Dylan Larkin | Andrew Copp | Joe Veleno |
| Forward 2 | J.T. Compher | Michael Rasmussen | Tyler Motte |
| Defense 1 | Ben Chiarot | Simon Edvinsson | |
| Defense 2 | Moritz Seider | Jeff Petry |
Given the fact that the Red Wings scored 275 goals last season, there is some concern that they won’t be able to reproduce that type of output. I’m not overly concerned about that. The increased emphasis on team defense may result in a few less goals scored, but it won’t be a significant drop off.
David Perron, Daniel Sprong, Robby Fabbri, Jake Walman, and Shayne Gostisbehere are gone. On the offensive side of the puck, that’s 75 goals that need to be made up.
Replacing those goals will be done by committee. First, there’s Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Motte, and Erik Gustafsson – Detroit’s summer additions.
The Red Wings will also get full seasons from Patrick Kane, Simon Edvinsson, and Jonatan Berggren. This part of the equation can’t be emphasized enough. It’s not just the three additions above replacing Detroit’s departed players – it’s also these returning players in the lineup most nights, not just some of the season.
- Dylan Larkin – 35
- Alex DeBrincat – 31
- Lucas Raymond – 29
Assists
- Dylan Larkin – 43
- Lucas Raymond – 43
- Moritz Seider – 42
Points
- Dylan Larkin – 78
- Lucas Raymond – 72
- Alex DeBrincat – 70
Stay tuned for scoring projections for the entire Red Wings roster.
Final Word
This team has the talent to reach the postseason. But so do 11-12 other teams in the Eastern Conference.
It’s ultimately on the Red Wings to execute – better team defense, continued scoring, timely saves in net. The pieces of the puzzle are all there, though.
The Red Wings should absolutely go into the season with a chip on their shoulder. They just missed the 2024 playoffs and several NHL analysts are expecting major regression. It’s time to prove the doubters wrong.
Data courtesy of NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick.
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