Red Wings Reeling, But There's Still a Pulse - And a Path Forward
It’s been a rough stretch in Hockeytown. The Detroit Red Wings are limping into the Olympic break, and the timing couldn’t be better. Between a cold spell on the ice, injuries on the blue line, and a trade deadline looming just seven games away, the Red Wings are in need of a reset - physically, mentally, and strategically.
Let’s break down what’s really going on in Detroit right now, where the issues lie, and where there’s still reason for optimism.
Truth: The Olympic Break Couldn’t Come Soon Enough
The Red Wings have looked like a team running on fumes. Over the last two weeks, they’ve managed just two wins - one against the struggling Winnipeg Jets and another in overtime against Ottawa.
Beyond that? It’s been a lot of missed opportunities and inconsistent play.
Some of it might be chalked up to a flu bug that’s made its way through the locker room. Some of it is likely a lack of execution in key moments - situational hockey where the Red Wings have come up short. Either way, this team needs a breather.
The defense has been stretched thin, especially with Simon Edvinsson sidelined. That’s forced Moritz Seider to take on an even heavier workload, logging nearly half the game in recent outings.
He’s been a warrior - no surprise there - but the toll is showing. And now, he’s off to Italy for Olympic duty, where he’ll likely face top-line minutes against the best in the world.
Edvinsson is expected back after the break, and that can’t come soon enough.
Up front, the offense has cooled off dramatically since the end of December. Outside of Alex DeBrincat - who just hit the 30-goal mark and continues to look like Detroit’s most dynamic forward - the Red Wings haven’t been getting consistent scoring from their top six. That’s a problem, especially for a team trying to stay in the playoff mix.
And here’s the kicker: DeBrincat isn’t even heading to Milan. That’s how valuable he’s been - and how much Detroit will need him fresh and firing after the break.
Lie: The Red Wings Need a Top-Six Forward Right Now
Look, every team would love to add another top-six guy before the deadline. But for Detroit, that’s not where the biggest hole is.
Marco Kasper’s resurgence has been a bright spot. He’s brought energy, physicality (he leads the team in hits), and flashes of the offensive upside that made him such a promising rookie last season. When he’s skating alongside James van Riemsdyk - who’s enjoying a bit of a renaissance himself - and Emmitt Finnie, the top line has shown real potential.
Sure, Patrick Kane and Andrew Copp have cooled off since their December tear, but breaking up the Kane-DeBrincat pairing doesn’t make much sense. Their chemistry is one of the few consistent weapons Detroit has right now. And while the second-line center spot remains a question mark, it’s not the fire the Red Wings need to put out first.
That distinction belongs to the blue line.
The Real Need: A Reliable Top-Four Defenseman
With Edvinsson out, Detroit’s defensive depth has been exposed. Rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka is showing promise, especially when he's allowed to play to his strengths as an offensive-minded blueliner. But he’s still learning how to manage a full 60 minutes on the defensive side.
Right now, the Red Wings are leaning heavily on Seider - and while he’s been up to the task, it’s not sustainable. They need another top-four defenseman, someone who can eat minutes, play responsibly, and eventually pair with Sandin-Pellikka as he matures.
The issue isn’t just short-term. Even looking ahead two or three years, Detroit doesn’t have a clear answer on the left side behind Edvinsson. Their prospect pool doesn’t offer a quick fix, and the trade deadline could be their best shot to address it.
Truth: Re-Signing Ben Chiarot Was the Right Move
Ben Chiarot isn’t flashy. He’s not the guy who’s going to quarterback your power play or rack up points. But he’s been exactly what Detroit needs on the back end: steady, physical, and experienced.
He’s having his best season as a Red Wing, and the timing couldn’t be better. With the cap going up and the team pushing for the playoffs, locking in a veteran presence like Chiarot makes sense. He’s one of only two defensemen over the age of 25 who was playing every night before Edvinsson’s injury, and his leadership has mattered - especially for a defense corps led by young guns.
Chiarot’s contract might look like an overpay on paper - he’s being paid like a third- or fourth-defenseman when he’s realistically a fifth. But what he brings to the room, to the ice, and to a guy like Seider can’t be measured just in dollars. He’s the guy who gets into the dirty areas, who stands up for his teammates, who brings the kind of edge this team sometimes lacks.
And let’s be honest: there are worse ways to spend that money. (Looking at you, Jeff Petry.)
Final Thoughts
This Red Wings team is at a crossroads. The Olympic break offers a much-needed pause, a chance to regroup and reset before the final playoff push.
The offense needs to find its rhythm again. The defense needs reinforcements.
And the front office has some decisions to make before March 6.
But there’s still belief in this group. DeBrincat is scoring.
Kasper is coming alive. Seider is holding the line.
And Chiarot is giving them everything he’s got.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together - and doing it before the clock runs out.