What Happened to Detroit Red Wings (NHL Team)?
The Detroit Red Wings are an Original Six NHL franchise with a storied history, including 11 Stanley Cup championships. After a prolonged period of success that included a 25-season playoff streak, the team entered a rebuilding phase, enduring a playoff drought that has extended for nine consecutive seasons as of 2025. Under General Manager Steve Yzerman, the team is actively working to return to contention, with the 2025-2026 season seeing them in a tight race for a playoff spot, despite recent injuries to key players.
Quick Answer
The Detroit Red Wings are currently in a fierce battle for a playoff spot in the 2025-2026 NHL season, aiming to end a nine-season playoff drought. General Manager Steve Yzerman has been orchestrating a rebuild since 2019, focusing on drafting and developing young talent while making strategic acquisitions like goaltender John Gibson in 2025. As of March 25, 2026, the team is just one point out of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with captain Dylan Larkin's return from injury being a critical factor in their late-season push.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Franchise Founded as Detroit Cougars
The Detroit Red Wings franchise was established, initially known as the Detroit Cougars.
Renamed Detroit Red Wings
After a brief period as the Detroit Falcons, the team adopted the iconic name Detroit Red Wings.
First Stanley Cup Victory
The Red Wings secured their first Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 'Production Line' Dynasty
Led by legends like Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, and Sid Abel, the Red Wings dominated the early 1950s, winning four Stanley Cups in six seasons.
25-Season Playoff Streak
The Red Wings embarked on one of the longest playoff streaks in professional sports history, making the postseason for 25 consecutive seasons.
Last Stanley Cup Championship
The Red Wings won their most recent Stanley Cup, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Nicklas Lidstrom becoming the first European-trained captain to hoist the Cup.
Move to Little Caesars Arena
The Red Wings moved into their new state-of-the-art home, Little Caesars Arena, after playing at Joe Louis Arena for 38 years.
Steve Yzerman Hired as General Manager
Former Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman returned to the franchise as General Manager, initiating a long-term rebuilding plan.
Eighth Consecutive Playoff Miss
The Red Wings were eliminated from playoff contention for the eighth straight season via tiebreaker on the final day of the 2023-24 regular season.
Todd McLellan Replaces Derek Lalonde as Head Coach
Following a struggling start to the 2024-25 season, head coach Derek Lalonde was fired and replaced by Todd McLellan.
Ninth Consecutive Playoff Miss
The Red Wings were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the ninth straight season, extending their longest playoff drought in franchise history.
Acquisition of Goaltender John Gibson
The Red Wings acquired veteran goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks, a move aimed at bolstering their goaltending situation.
Captain Dylan Larkin Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Team captain Dylan Larkin sustained a lower-body injury against the Florida Panthers, sidelining him for seven games during a crucial playoff push.
Larkin Game-Time Decision Amidst Playoff Race
As of today, March 25, 2026, captain Dylan Larkin is a game-time decision for the Red Wings' upcoming game against the Ottawa Senators, as the team fights for a playoff spot, sitting one point out of a wild card position.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Detroit Red Wings, one of the NHL's 'Original Six' franchises, boast a rich history with 11 Stanley Cup championships, the most of any U.S.-based NHL team. Following a remarkable era of sustained success that included 25 consecutive playoff appearances from 1990-91 to 2015-16 and four Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008), the team entered a period of decline. This decline led to a significant rebuilding phase, marked by a playoff drought that began after the 2015-2016 season and has continued for nine consecutive seasons, extending to ten if they miss the playoffs in 2025-26.
A key turning point in the franchise's modern history was the hiring of former Red Wings captain and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman as General Manager on April 19, 2019. Yzerman, who had previously built a Stanley Cup contender with the Tampa Bay Lightning, was tasked with revitalizing the Red Wings through a patient, draft-and-develop approach, often referred to as the 'Yzerplan.' His tenure has seen the acquisition and development of promising young players like Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson, and Marco Kasper.
Despite the focus on rebuilding, the Red Wings have faced challenges in translating prospect development into consistent NHL success. The 2023-2024 season saw them finish with a 41-32-9 record, their first non-losing season since 2015-16, but they were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day via tiebreaker. The 2024-2025 season continued the playoff drought, with the team finishing 39-35-8 and head coach Derek Lalonde being replaced by Todd McLellan on December 26, 2024.
CURRENT STATUS as of 2026-03-25: The Detroit Red Wings are in a critical stretch of their 2025-2026 season, actively fighting to secure a playoff berth and end their prolonged drought. As of March 25, 2026, the team holds a record of 38-24-8 (84 points), placing them 5th in the Atlantic Division. They are currently one point behind the New York Islanders for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot. A significant development has been the recent lower-body injury to captain Dylan Larkin, who missed seven games but is considered a game-time decision for their upcoming game on March 26, 2026. The team also made a notable acquisition in July 2025, bringing in veteran goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks to address a long-standing need in net. The Red Wings' performance in the remaining 12 games of the season will determine if the 'Yzerplan' finally yields a playoff appearance.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Detroit Red Wings (NHL Team) made different choices?