Episode
Spring Cleaning – Detroit Red Wings
- Podcast
- NHL Wraparound Podcast
- Published
- Jul 19, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 332
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Spring Cleaning – Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings entered the 2025-26 season expecting to finally end one of the NHL’s longest playoff droughts. Instead, a promising campaign collapsed during the final months, leaving Detroit outside the postseason for a 10th consecutive year. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Red Wings’ lack of secondary scoring, another damaging late-season fade, and the mounting pressure on General Manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan to make significant changes this offseason. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Detroit Red Wings are officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 11, extending their postseason drought to 10 consecutive seasons. Neil and Vic discuss the expectations surrounding Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan after a relatively quiet offseason highlighted by the additions of John Gibson and James van Riemsdyk. [00:00:30] Detroit appeared firmly positioned for the playoffs on January 25 with a 32-16-5 record, first place in the Atlantic Division, and a 10-point cushion over the playoff cutline. John Gibson proved to be a successful acquisition, providing the stable goaltending the Red Wings had been missing. [00:01:00] The conversation turns to Detroit’s lack of offensive depth. Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider once again carried most of the scoring burden, while the supporting cast failed to provide enough consistent production. [00:01:30] Marco Kasper’s regression becomes one example of Detroit’s secondary-scoring problems. After recording 37 points the previous season, Kasper falls below 20 points in 2025-26, leaving the Red Wings overly dependent on the same small group of established players. [00:02:00] Neil praises Gibson for solving Detroit’s goaltending…