Exploring benchmarks the Red Wings must hit if they want to be a Stanley Cup contender next season

The Detroit Red Wings are coming off another year without the playoffs, bringing their current drought to nine years after finishing with a 39-35-8 record. They finished far behind the pack in several areas with their 22nd-best offence averaging 2.87 goals per game and their 21st-best defence allowing 3.16 goals against per game.

They made several moves in the offseason like adding a former all-star goaltender in John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks as well as veteran presence in James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton. It begs the question of if it will be enough to get the Wings over the hump with the broader question being what numbers do they need to hit to solidify themselves as Stanley Cup contenders? After looking back at the last 25 Stanley Cup Champions, we found common themes that teams will look to replicate. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Over the past 25 seasons, 17 Stanley Cup champions ranked in the top ten for goals per game, while 20 of them finished in the top ten for fewest goals against per game. Reaching top-ten status in both categories is relatively rare as only 13 of the last 25 champions managed that feat. The Red Wings are far behind in both categories but there is data to support that both areas aren't always necessary to win. 

The LA Kings proved in 2012 and 2014 that a weak offense doesn't prevent championship success. They ranked 29th and 26th in goals scored during those seasons but still managed to lift the Stanley Cup. The 2015 Chicago Blackhawks followed a similar path, winning the Cup with only the 17th-best offense. Defense has also been overcome in certain cases. Carolina captured the title in 2006 despite having the 19th-ranked defense, while Sidney Crosby’s Penguins won in both 2009 and 2017 even though they finished 17th in goals against average.

When the Red Wings captured the Stanley Cup in 2008, they boasted the league’s top defense, allowing just 2.18 goals per game, along with the third-best offense at 3.07 goals per game. This balanced approach echoed their success in 2002, when they won the Cup with the second-highest scoring offense (3.06 goals per game) and the third-strongest defense (2.28 goals against per game). Looking ahead, Detroit’s best strategy would be to reestablish a strong defensive identity, which is something they’re well-positioned to do under a defensively focused coach like Todd McLellan.

To match the performance of most Stanley Cup champions from the past 25 years, Detroit would need to average about 3.08 goals per game, which typically ranks among the top nine teams in the league. On defense, they would need to hold opponents to around 2.61 goals per game, a standard that usually places a team in the top seven. 

With the addition of goaltender John Gibson and McLellan’s proven system that elevated both the Kings and the Sharks during his earlier coaching years, the Red Wings have a realistic path to reaching those benchmarks while letting the offence come later on. If Detroit can manage to bump these numbers and averages in the right direction, we could be talking about the Red Wings having a chance to go on a deep run, rather than a fringe playoff team.

Could Axel Sandin-Pellikka Make Red Wings Main Roster? Red Wings fans anxiously await the arrival of high-end prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka on the main roster

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!