The Detroit Red Wings Yzerplan has run its course, but not for the right reasons

Alex DeBrincat celebrates a goal at Little Caesars Arena. Image Credits: Rick Osentoski, USA Today

2023-24: 41-32-9, 5th in Atlantic Division, 9th in Eastern Conference, 17th in league

The Detroit Red Wings reached a peak in the Yzerman era, and jobs are on the line in Detroit. Derek Lalonde has been coaching the team for 2 seasons, with no playoffs, and a lot of young talent. The Atlantic Division is a tough one, but that isn't an excuse anymore with a weakening Lightning team that is past its Cup winning days, and a Capitals team that was the worst playoff team in over 30 years. They had no reason this past season to not have a 1st Round date with the Rangers, and with the obvious weaknesses on New York, there's no reason they couldn't have stolen a game or 2.

The Red Wings got by this year by having a high-flying offense that had 12 guys with 30+ points this year, but James Reimer and Alex Lyon are not the goalies you need to get to the playoffs. Ville Husso was also a disappointment, having come from St. Louis as a free agent after a great season that saw him nearly steal Jordan Binnington's starting job. He has yet to post a .900 save percentage in Detroit after having a .919 in his last year in St. Louis.

Yzerman did understand the need to improve goaltending, which he did by acquiring Cam Talbot from the LA Kings. But their center depth is lacking, with only Dylan Larkin as a good centerman. Andrew Copp is a glorified 3rd line center, and and their young guys for the rebuild aren't so young anymore. Their lack of high ticket free agents is also not convincing as many people as before that these Red Wings are ready for the playoffs.

My predictions for this season are that they will actually regress for the 1st time since 2020. They will finish 35-31-16, 5th in the Atlantic Division, 10th in the Eastern Conference, and 21st in the league. They were absolutely brutal when they were playing with a lead, as they managed to gain a 4-0 lead over the Sharks once this year and lose that lead in the same period. They also blew a 4-goal lead against the Flyers before recovering in the shootout. Their inability to hold leads is going to cost them a lot in the loser point category, as it will be the main reason they miss the playoffs for a 9th season in a row.