The Detroit Red Wings are at risk of missing the playoffs after a late-season slump. What could happen if their post-season drought lasts another year?
The Detroit Red Wings entered this season expected to be a playoff contender for the first time since 2015-16. Instead, they're struggling in the chase for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with seven games to play.
March was truly madness for the Wings, winning just three of 14 games. That's sparked speculation that changes could be afoot if they miss the playoffs.
The biggest move could be behind the bench. Detroit Hockey Now's Bob Duff reported a source claiming GM Steve Yzerman could replace coach Derek Lalonde if the Wings fail to qualify for the post-season. Former St. Louis Blues bench boss Craig Berube was believed to be at the top of his wish list.
Yzerman must also re-sign defenseman Moritz Seider and winger Lucas Raymond. Both players are completing their entry-level contracts.
The Hockey News Detroit's Sam Stockton said this season better served the Red Wings to focus on the long term rather than this year's playoffs because of the raises coming to Seider and Raymond. That partially explains their quiet trade deadline.
Sportsnet's Luke Fox doesn't expect Yzerman to lowball Seider. Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22, the 22-year-old German is the Wings' top defenseman. Fox predicts he'll get an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.6 million.
Raymond, on the other hand, could end up with a shorter contract. Fox pointed out that Yzerman signed winger Alex DeBrincat to a four-year deal last summer with an annual cap hit of $7.875 million. Raymond, 22, currently leads the Wings with 61 points.
The Athletic's Max Bultman believes Yzerman must also address the Red Wings' shaky goaltending and poor defensive play. They've given up the sixth-most shots against per game (32.5) with the ninth-highest goals-against per game (3.31) But THN Detroit's Connor Earegood said before the deadline that acquiring a goaltender is more of a luxury than a necessity while keeping the focus on the long term.
Bultman also felt the Wings' scorers have struggled when they need goals that don't come off the rush or with plenty of space in the offensive zone.
Some of those issues could be addressed via off-season trades or free-agent signings. They have a projected cap space of $28.1 million with 14 active roster players under contract next season, according to PuckPedia. That could mean parting ways with pending UFAs Patrick Kane, David Perron, Shayne Gostisbehere, Daniel Sprong and James Reimer.