The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the more consistent stories in the Atlantic Division this season, riding a strong blend of youth, experience, and chemistry to stay in the thick of the race with the Canadiens and Lightning. But as any team chasing a division title knows, the road isn't always smooth - and right now, Detroit just hit a speed bump.
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson, a key piece on the blue line, will remain out of the lineup through the Olympic break. That keeps him sidelined at least through February 26, meaning he’ll miss a string of games against the Kings (Jan.
27), Capitals (Jan. 29), Avalanche (Jan. 31 and Feb. 2), and the Utah Mammoth (Feb.
4). For a team that’s been building momentum, that’s a tough blow.
Edvinsson’s Absence: A Big Hole to Fill
Let’s be clear - losing Edvinsson isn’t just about missing a guy on the back end. It’s about losing a player who’s been logging over 22 minutes a night and carrying a +6 plus/minus, tied for fifth-best on the roster.
That’s not easily replaced. He’s been a stabilizing force, a two-way presence who can eat big minutes and play in all situations.
Think about what happened to the Rangers when Adam Fox went down earlier this season - their defense never quite found its footing, and it played a role in their midseason slide. The Red Wings will be hoping to avoid a similar fate.
Who Steps Up?
With Edvinsson out, the Red Wings are already experimenting with their pairings. Jacob Bernard-Docker has been the first to get a look alongside Moritz Seider on the top unit.
Bernard-Docker, who arrived in Detroit this past offseason after splitting time between Ottawa and Buffalo, has quietly put together a solid campaign. In 37 games, he’s posted a +9 rating while averaging just under 15 minutes a night.
Now, he’s being asked to do more - and that’s where things get interesting. Can he handle top-pairing minutes against the best competition night in and night out? That’s the challenge ahead.
Another internal option is Ben Chiarot. A left-shot veteran with 13 years in the league, Chiarot has mostly been skating on the third pair with Axel Sandin Pellikka.
His first year in Detroit was rough - a -31 rating will do that - but he’s bounced back this season with four goals, seven assists, and a +1 rating in just over 21 minutes per game. He’s got the experience and the physicality, but whether he can handle a top-pair role at this stage of his career is a fair question.
Don’t be surprised if head coach Todd McLellan tries a few different combinations over the next couple of weeks. The Red Wings have a bit of breathing room in the standings, and that gives them the luxury to experiment - at least for now.
The Trade Deadline Looms
Of course, if Edvinsson’s recovery doesn’t go as planned, the Red Wings may not have the option to wait and see. With the trade deadline set for March 6, GM Steve Yzerman could be forced to dip into the market for defensive help.
If that happens, there are some intriguing names out there. Simon Benoit (Toronto), Logan Stanley (Winnipeg), and Brett Kulak (Pittsburgh) all fit the bill as left-shot defensemen who could slide into a middle or bottom-pairing role - or even higher, depending on fit.
None are flashy, but that’s not what Detroit needs. They need reliability.
Someone who can hold the line while Edvinsson works his way back.
A Test of Depth and Resilience
The good news? Detroit’s built themselves a cushion in the Atlantic.
They’re not chasing - they’re holding ground. That gives McLellan and his staff some flexibility in how they handle this stretch.
But make no mistake, this is a critical test for a team with postseason aspirations.
Losing a top defenseman midseason is never ideal. But if the Red Wings can weather this stretch, it’ll say a lot about their depth, their coaching, and their readiness to make a serious run come spring.