Summer Coolers – Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings enter 2026-27 with more uncertainty than momentum. Todd McLellan is heading into another season behind the bench, but Detroit still does not have a general manager, captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, and the franchise now owns the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 10 seasons. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Red Wings have enough talent to avoid sliding backward, why their late-season collapses remain such a major concern, and how unusual it is for an Original Six organization to be searching externally for a new GM this late in the summer.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] Todd McLellan prepares for another season in Detroit, but the biggest story surrounding the Red Wings is happening off the ice. The organization still does not have a general manager, while captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade.

[00:00:25] Neil questions whether Larkin and his agent are waiting to see who Detroit hires as GM before determining what happens next.

[00:00:45] The timing is especially concerning. Detroit is already deep into the summer, yet significant organizational decisions remain unresolved heading toward training camp.

[00:01:00] Larkin’s future becomes the biggest immediate issue. He has asked to be traded and reportedly provided the organization with a short list of teams he would accept.

[00:01:20] Steve Yzerman was reportedly unhappy with the request while he was still serving as GM, but the situation remains unresolved. The question is whether the Michigan native ultimately returns to the only NHL franchise he has known.

[00:01:40] Detroit finishes sixth in the Atlantic Division with 92 points and 16th overall, extending its playoff drought to 10 consecutive seasons.

[00:02:00] The Red Wings have also failed to win a playoff series since defeating Anaheim in the opening round in 2013.

[00:02:20] Detroit’s major statistical categories remain underwhelming. The offense ranks 22nd, the defense is tied for 19th, the power play finishes 12th, and the penalty kill sits 23rd.

[00:02:40] The only notable trade addition is bottom-six forward Keegan Kolesar, acquired from Vegas for two draft picks.

[00:03:00] Patrick Kane departs for the Chicago Blackhawks, while Detroit adds Victor Arvidsson from Boston. Vic still sees many of the same problems that have prevented the Red Wings from breaking through.

[00:03:20] Alex DeBrincat continues to provide strong offensive production, but there does not appear to be enough surrounding talent to significantly change Detroit’s trajectory.

[00:03:40] One recurring issue is Detroit’s inability to finish seasons strongly. The Red Wings have repeatedly put themselves into playoff contention before struggling badly during March and losing momentum when it matters most.

[00:04:00] Neil believes Detroit essentially spent the summer treading water and could actually move backward in the standings.

[00:04:20] He does not see the Red Wings ending the drought in what would be their 11th consecutive season without playoff hockey.

[00:04:40] The uncertainty surrounding Larkin makes the situation even more difficult because he is not only Detroit’s captain but arguably one of its most important players.

[00:05:00] Detroit will be hoping Marco Kasper takes another significant step and can provide more offensive support alongside DeBrincat and the rest of the forward group.

[00:05:20] The discussion turns back to Detroit’s search for a new general manager, with the organization hiring an outside firm to assist in identifying candidates.

[00:05:40] Neil finds that approach surprising for an Original Six franchise with such deep hockey roots and decades of organizational experience under the Ilitch family.

[00:06:00] He believes Detroit should already have enough experienced hockey people around the organization to help identify the right GM without relying heavily on an external search firm.

[00:06:20] Neil specifically mentions longtime organizational figures who could assist, along with the possibility that Steve Yzerman could still provide input if his relationship with ownership remains intact.

[00:06:40] The fact that Detroit could reach late August without a general manager strikes Neil as particularly unusual given how much work still needs to be completed before the season.

[00:07:00] Vic believes the roster is weak enough that Detroit could even drift toward the NHL Draft Lottery conversation if things go badly.

[00:07:20] Neil pushes back slightly on the idea that Detroit will become a true bottom-feeder because the Red Wings still possess several high-end players capable of keeping the team competitive.

[00:07:40] The larger concern is the mood surrounding the franchise. Neil sees a frustrated and increasingly angry fan base that was already unhappy even when franchise legend Steve Yzerman was running the team.

[00:08:00] Neil does not expect Little Caesars Arena to be an especially happy environment if Detroit struggles again this season.

[00:08:20] John Gibson provided solid goaltending after arriving from Anaheim, while Moritz Seider remains one of the NHL’s top defensemen and an important cornerstone for the franchise.

[00:08:40] Even with those pieces, Neil and Vic agree that Detroit does not have enough collectively when compared with the stronger teams in the Atlantic Division and across the NHL.

[00:09:00] Neil closes by saying he would personally like to see Detroit return to the playoff mix because of his own history with the organization, but he simply cannot envision that happening with the roster and uncertainty currently surrounding the club.