The Detroit Red Wings are officially in the thick of it - and not just as a feel-good story. As the NHL pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Detroit sits tied for second in the Atlantic Division and comfortably ahead of the playoff cut line in the East. For the first time in years, there’s a real sense that GM Steve Yzerman’s long-term vision - the so-called “Yzerplan” - is starting to pay off in tangible ways.
This isn’t smoke and mirrors. The Red Wings have earned their spot in the playoff conversation with a mix of young star power, Olympic-caliber talent, and a roster that’s clicking at the right time.
Lucas Raymond: Leading the Charge
Let’s start with Lucas Raymond, because he’s been the heartbeat of this team all season. The 23-year-old winger has not only led Detroit in scoring with 60 points in 56 games, but he’s done it with a level of consistency and maturity that’s turned heads across the league. Now wearing an “A” on his sweater as an alternate captain, Raymond has elevated his game in every facet - especially on the power play, where he’s become a go-to weapon.
And if you needed more proof that Raymond is stepping into stardom, look no further than his Olympic performance for Team Sweden. He notched a three-point game on Saturday, joining an elite group of Swedish medalists in the process. He’s not just producing - he’s producing on the biggest stages.
Olympic Spotlight: Larkin and Seider Shine
Raymond isn’t the only Wing making waves on the international stage. Captain Dylan Larkin and defenseman Moritz Seider are also representing Detroit in Olympic competition, and both have made strong impressions.
Larkin, who along with Raymond played in last year’s 4 Nations Faceoff, continues to bring veteran leadership and big-game experience to a team that’s learning how to win. But it’s Seider’s Olympic debut for Germany that’s really turned heads.
Logging a team-high 26:18 of ice time, Seider was everywhere - quarterbacking the top power play unit, anchoring the blue line at even strength, and standing ready for penalty kill duties (though Germany’s discipline kept that to a minimum). That kind of workload tells you everything you need to know about how much trust he’s earned from his coaches - and how valuable he is to both his national team and the Red Wings.
The Yzerplan Takes Shape
Detroit’s resurgence isn’t just about the stars already in the lineup. It’s also about how the organization has developed its young talent and set the table for long-term success.
Top prospects are trending in the right direction, and coach Todd McLellan has found ways to maximize their impact. The chemistry is there, the systems are working, and the belief in the room is palpable.
Yzerman deserves credit for sticking to his blueprint, even when the results weren’t immediate. Now, with the team in a legitimate playoff position, the question becomes: how aggressive will he be at the trade deadline?
Eyes on the Deadline: Is a Big Move Coming?
With the deadline looming, there’s real buzz around Detroit potentially making a move - and not just a minor tweak. The Red Wings have been linked to possible additions at center, with names like Vincent Trocheck floating around, and there’s also speculation that Yzerman could look to bolster the blue line.
This isn’t about mortgaging the future. It’s about recognizing the moment. The Red Wings have a chance to make noise this spring, and for a fan base that’s waited a long time for meaningful hockey in April and beyond, that opportunity means everything.
Final Stretch: A New Era in Detroit?
With Olympic momentum, strong internal development, and a front office that’s shown it knows how to build a contender, Detroit is entering the final stretch of the season with something it hasn’t had in years: belief. Not just in the process, but in the product on the ice.
The Red Wings are no longer just rebuilding - they’re rising. And if the trade deadline brings the right reinforcements, this could be the year Detroit officially announces its return to the NHL’s playoff stage.