The Detroit Red Wings will head into the upcoming National Hockey League season with one primary aim — qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16.
The lengthy postseason drought is a damning indictment of the demise of a club that has won the Stanley Cup on 11 previous occasions.
Fans inclined towards wagering may be better served visiting online poker Michigan platforms to fuel their passion rather than backing the Red Wings this season.
Ante-post odds of 100/1 to win the NHL title highlight how far the Red Wings have fallen behind the main contenders over the past few years.
However, general manager Steve Yzerman believes the Red Wings have the ability to force their way into the playoff mix during the 2025-26 campaign.
"Our team is maybe constructed a little better than it was at this stage last year, so I'm hopeful that we take a step," Yzerman said.
"Overall, I think we're a little bit better. How many points does that translate to in the season? We're going to find out."
One of the primary reasons for Yzerman's optimism is the acquisition of netminder John Gibson, who arrived at the club in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on June 28. The 32-year-old has posted a 2.89 GAA, .910 save percentage, and 24 shutouts in 506 NHL appearances for Anaheim.
He will be the Red Wings' starting goalie ahead of Cam Talbot and should give them the foundation to mount a strong challenge for playoff qualification.
James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, and Jacob Bernard-Docker have also been signed this summer, adding much-needed depth to head coach Todd McLellan's roster.
With top-class free agents thin on the ground, Yzerman has indicated that there are opportunities for younger players to make their mark for the Red Wings this season.
They include Nate Danielson, who was selected ninth overall in the 2023 NHL draft. He will start the season with Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL, but may be called up to the NHL.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka was another first round pick in 2023 and helped Skelleftea AIK win the Swedish Hockey League championship the following year. He is rated as the Red Wings' best long-term defensive prospect and could be handed the opportunity to make his mark in the NHL this season.
Detroit still hoping to find an experienced player to partner Simon Edvinsson on the second defensive line, although Albert Johansson did show promise as a rookie.
Yzerman has admitted that strengthening the roster has proved challenging this summer, and has urged the club's current players to take advantage of the situation.
"A lot of guys we were hoping to talk to either signed — or got traded in the case of Mitch Marner — before July 1," Yzerman added. "There's not much you can do about that.
"Everyone has cap space now, so there just weren't as many high-end free agents available this year. That means we're going to have to take a step forward internally."
Projected Detroit Red Wings Lineup, 2025-26
• F1: Marco Kasper - Dylan Larkin - Lucas Raymond
• F2: Alex DeBrincat - Andrew Copp - Patrick Kane
• F3: James van Riemsdyk - JT Compher - Mason Appleton
• F4: Jonatan Berggren - Michael Rasmussen - Elmer Soderblom
• D1: Moritz Seider - Ben Chiarot
• D2: Simon Edvinsson - Albert Johansson
• D3: Justin Holl - Erik Gustafsson
• NM1: John Gibson
• NM2: Cam Talbot