The Detroit Red Wings had a promising season but faltered in March and April, missing the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year. Despite strong performance earlier, they struggled to secure crucial points at the end of the season.
Key points
Red Wings had a promising start to the season
Struggled in March and April
Missed playoffs for 10th consecutive year
Strong goaltending early in the season
Failed to secure crucial points late in the season
For about five months, the Wings were among the better teams in the NHL. They rubbed elbows with them in the standings, looked the part on the ice — the goaltending, for sure — and appeared ready to finally make a long-awaited playoff appearance.
Then March and April appeared on the calendar and for the fourth consecutive year, and it happened again. Another subpar month, a difficulty earning desperately needed poitns for the standings, and the inevitable crash down the standings.
The result? The Wings are out of the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.
"For about 65 games there wasn't a second I didn't think this team was going to be a playoff team," defenseman Ben Chiarot said. "Then we got into the last six or seven weeks and things started to go sideways on us and we pissed it away. We really did. We had a team to get it done, get into the playoffs, and that's just the starting point."
The Wings finished with 92 points, the most they've earned since their 93-point season in 2015-16 — the last time the Wings made the playoffs. They won 41 games, matching their total from two years ago and in 2015-16. There were some outstanding individual performances.
But the way they bottomed out, this playoff miss in particular might be difficult to forget.
"From where we were, and are, it's not acceptable. We're embarrassed with the spot where we are," forward Alex DeBrincat said. "All of us are frustrated and frankly, embarrassed is a good word for it. It's kind of tough to do what we did."
General manager Steve Yzerman likely will be busy this offseason reconfiguring this roster. There's a need for a center slotted behind captain , to shuffle the bottom-six forwards, and to make decisions on whether to return several veteran forwards, .
Q&A
What were the Detroit Red Wings' final grades for the 2025-26 season?
The final grades for the Detroit Red Wings' 2025-26 season reflect a strong start but a disappointing finish, ultimately leading to their playoff absence.
Why did the Red Wings miss the playoffs again in 2026?
The Red Wings missed the playoffs due to a poor performance in March and April, where they struggled to earn vital points.
How many consecutive seasons have the Red Wings missed the playoffs?
The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons.
What factors contributed to the Red Wings' strong start in the 2025-26 season?
The Red Wings' strong start was attributed to solid goaltending and competitive play, positioning them well in the NHL standings for several months.
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With the end of the season, here is one reporter's assessment on each player based on performance and expectations, listed in alphabetical order.
Goaltenders
▶John Gibson — 29-22-4, 2.72 GAA, .901 SVS. Contract: One year remaining, $6.4 million annual average value. Analysis: The start of the season wasn't good. From Thanksgiving to about the Olympic break, Gibson was among the best goalies in the NHL. The end was a bit less than that, but Gibson wasn't the reason the Wings slumped. Goaltending wasn't a position of weakness. Grade: A-minus
▶Cam Talbot — 12-9-6, 3.19 GAA, .883 SVS. Contract: Unrestricted free agent Analysis: Wasn't used much the second half as Gibson was in a zone, and the inactivity appeared to affect Talbot. With Sebastian Cossa expected to arrive in the NHL next season, Talbot is likely to leave via free agency. Grade: C-plus
Defensemen
▶Jacob Bernard-Docker — 63 games, one goal, four assists, five points. Contract: Two years remaining, $1.6 million AAV. Analysis: When used in a third-pairing role, in controlled minutes, Bernard-Docker proved to be a shrewd free-agent acquisition. He kills penalties, plays with some bite, and knows his limitations. Grade: C-plus
▶Ben Chiarot — 82 games, five goals, 10 assists, 15 points. Contract: Three years remaining, $3.85 million AAV. Analysis: Old-school defensive defenseman who supplies a needed physical edge, Chiarot and Justin Faulk never found ideal chemistry after Faulk arrived at the trade deadline, but that should change next season. Respected leader in the locker room. Grade: B-minus
▶Simon Edvinsson — 72 games, nine goals, 16 assists, 25 points. Contract: Restricted free agent. Analysis: Edvinsson and Moritz Seider have the potential to man the top defensive pairing for over the next decade. Edvinsson played over two knee injuries which impacted him, but he took another step in his development The future remains bright. Grade: B-plus
▶Justin Faulk — (St. Louis, Detroit) 78 games, 16 goals, 24 assists, 40 points. Contract: One year remaining, $6.5 million AAV. Analysis: With five goals and eight points in 17 games with the Wings, Faulk showed glimpses of the offensive skills the team envisioned when acquiring him. An elite skater with a great shot, Faulk and Chiarot should make a capable second pairing. Grade: B
▶Albert Johansson — 82 games, three goals, eight assists, 11 points. Contract: One year remaining, $1.125 million. Analysis:. Johansson played every game but struggled to find consistency at either end of the rink. He has a good shot but doesn't use it enough. Needs to show progress next season, as several prospects could be on their way. Grade: C
▶Travis Hamonic — 26 games, no goals, two assists, two points. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Analysis: Hamonic was signed as veteran insurance and basically wasn't needed with the defense mainly healthy all season. He didn't play well enough to push for a spot in the lineup. Hamonic likely will not be re-signed. Grade: C-minus
▶Axel Sandin-Pellikka — 68 games, seven goals, 14 assists, 21 points. Contract: Two years remaining, $918,333 AAV. Analysis: Sandin-Pellikka showed the offensive ability, but he struggled defensively and was sent to Grand Rapids for a time after the trade deadline. There's a lot of room for growth next season, especially on the defensive end. Grade: C
▶Moritz Seider — 82 games, 10 goals, 50 assists, 60 points. Contract: Five years left, $8.55 million AAV. Analysis: Seider was one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Whether offense or defense, statistically Seider was among the best, while again playing all 82 games (Seider has never missed a game in his career). Seider also took on more of a leadership role. Grade: A
Forwards
▶Mason Appleton — 65 games, six goals, eight assists, 14 points. Contract: One year remaining, $2.9 million AAV. Analysis: Appleton was more effective the first half of the season. Injuries may have been a factor, but Appleton was more of a spark early as the Wings' bottom-six forwards continue to be an area that needs to get better. Grade: C
▶Michael Brandsegg-Nygard — 14 games, no goals, one assist, one points. Contract: Two years remaining, $942,500 AAV. Analysis:. Was a 20-goal scorer in Grand Rapids but didn't show similar offense in two stints with the Wings. Has an NHL shot and knows how to get into position to unleash it. Grade: Incomplete
▶J.T. Compher — 82 games, 11 goals, 17 assists, 28 points.Contract: Two years left, $5.1 million AAV. Analysis: Except for a brief stretch with Dylan Larkin unavailable in March, Compher again failed to be the impactful player the Wings envisioned when they signed him three seasons ago. Grade: C-minus
▶Andrew Copp — 79 games, nine goals, 34 assists, 43 points. Contract: One year remaining, $5.625 million AAV. Analysis: Copp's 43 points were his best with the Wings, and he was effective centering Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. Copp is likely best utilized, though, in the bottom-six, probably in a defensive role. Grade: B-minus
▶Nate Danielson — 28 games, two goals, five assists, seven points. Contract: Two years remaining, $886,666 AAV. Analysis: The game seemed to get fast for Danielson, and he was eventually sent back to Grand Rapids. One concern in both Detroit and with the Griffins was Danielson's inability to create more offense. Grade: B-minus
▶Alex DeBrincat — 82 games, 41 goals, 44 assists, 85 points. Contract: One year left, $7.875 million AAV. Analysis: DeBrincat was the Wings' best forward this season. He reached 41 goals for the third time in his career, but it was his play without the puck that was eye-opening. DeBrincat has become more of a complete player, and his competitiveness stands out. Grade: A
▶Emmitt Finnie — 82 games, 13 goals, 17 assists, 30 points. Contract: Two years remaining, $821,667 AAV. Analysis: Nobody, absolutely no one, had this former seventh-round draft pick making the opening night roster and then playing all 82 games and making such an impact. Finnie uses his speed and tenacity to complement any line. The Olympic break gave Finnie an opportunity to re-charge and finish well. Grade: A
▶Patrick Kane — 67 games, 16 goals, 41 assists, 57 points. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Analysis: When the Wings were struggling in March and April, Kane was one of the few forwards providing needed offense. Kane's chemistry with DeBrincat continues to be game-changing. If Kane agrees to another bonus-laden, short-term deal, the Wings would likely be agreeable. Grade: B
▶Marco Kasper — 81 games, nine goals, 10 assists, 19 points. Contract: One year remaining, $886,666 AAV. Analysis: It was a mystifying fall from Kasper, who was an impactful rookie but struggled mightily as a sophomore. Nobody can criticize the work ethic — Kasper never waned that way — but he was less noticeable. Grade: D
▶Dylan Larkin — 74 games, 34 goals, 33 assists, 67 points. Contract: Five years remaining, $8.7 million AAV. Analysis: . The 34 goals were a career-high and Larkin continued to drive this team in many ways. But a lower-body injury suffered March 6 affected him when he returned. Larkin struggled offensively at even strength, though taking on every important defensive assignment each game. Grade: A-minus
▶Carter Mazur — Eight games, no goals, no assists, no points. Contract: RFA. Analysis:. Mazur had another injury-marred season in Grand Rapids before being recalled to the Wings. There will likely be an opportunity to crack the lineup in 2026-27 — but he has to stay healthy. Grade: Incomplete
▶David Perron — (Ottawa, Detroit) 65 games, 13 goals, 15 assists, 28 points. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Analysis: Perron had three goals in 16 games with the Wings, rushing from from hernia surgery. Acquired at the trade deadline, Perron didn't have the impact the Wings hoped. It'll be interesting to see whether there's interest in bringing him back. Grade: Incomplete
▶Michael Rasmussen — 64 games, six goals, eight assists, 14 points. Contract: Two years remaining, $3.2 million AAV. Analysis: Injuries shortened his season, but Rasmussen struggled to make the physical, grinding impact of the last few seasons. After four consecutive double-digit goal seasons, Rasmussen didn't reach that this season. Grade: C-minus
▶Lucas Raymond — 80 games, 25 goals, 51 assists, 76 points. Contract: Six years remaining, $8.075 million AAV. Analysis: On a team that was starving for offense, Raymond was a consistent presence. He could still use his shot more, but his ability to set up teammates was impressive. Raymond's production slowed in March/April (16 points in 24 games), which hurt. Grade: A-minus
▶Dominik Shine — 18 games, three goals, no assists, three points. Contract: Two years remaining, $875,000 AAV. Analysis: Career minor leaguer finally got an extended look in the NHL and supplied the Wings with energy and grit late in the season. The Griffins' captain, Shine will lead Grand Rapids into the AHL playoffs. Grade: C
▶James van Riemsdyk — 72 games, 15 goals, 16 assists, 31 points. Contract: UFA. Analysis: Was an important factor as the Wings were rolling in the first half of the season, but struggled as the schedule wore on. Had one goal in his final 28 games. It's unlikely he'll return next season. Grade: C
Coaching staff
▶Todd McLellan/assistant coaches: A hockey team that accumulates 92 points has had a good season. That's difficult to do. But the way this season ended for the Wings, McLellan, his staff, and the players, all receive some of the blame. There was better structure, discipline and mental and physical toughness, for the most part, than there had been previous seasons. The Wings didn't lose two consecutive games in regulation from late November to mid-March, something that kept them in the playoff picture. The penalty kill improved slightly, but the power play dipped. Grade: B-minus
Front office
▶ General manager Steve Yzerman: Again, a 92-point season isn't something to brush off or minimize. You've won more games than you lost. But for the Wings, and an increasingly annoyed fan base, missing the playoffs for a 10th straight time will be the largest takeout from this season. Along with how they missed, the March struggles continuing yet again. Yzerman solved the goaltending woes, acquiring Gibson. At the trade deadline, getting Faulk solidified the defense. Extending Kane and acquiring van Riemsdyk helped the offensive attack, most of the season. But the bottom-six forwards still aren't good enough and there's a void at second-line center. There's still work to do. Grade: B-minus
