The Detroit Red Wings are finally skating toward relevance again - and this time, it feels different.
After nearly a decade in the wilderness, the Red Wings are tied for first in the Atlantic Division. That’s not a misprint.
A franchise that’s missed the playoffs for nine straight seasons - the longest drought in its storied history - is now firmly in the postseason conversation. And Friday night’s 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks was another sign that this group is starting to find its stride.
What stood out in that win wasn’t just the scoreline. It was who got it done.
Veterans like Alex DeBrincat and captain Dylan Larkin did what they’re paid to do - lead. But it was also the young guns, Lucas Raymond and Marco Kasper, stepping up with big moments.
That blend of experience and emerging talent is the exact formula successful teams rely on down the stretch.
At the center of it all is Steve Yzerman. The Hall of Famer has methodically built this version of the Red Wings, and outside of Larkin - the hometown anchor who predates Yzerman’s front office return - the core is entirely his creation.
From drafting and development to savvy trades and free-agent signings, Yzerman’s fingerprints are everywhere. And now, the team he’s crafted is finally playing like a contender.
But here’s the thing: getting to this point is only half the battle. Staying here - and pushing deeper into the postseason - will require more than patience and internal development. It might be time for Yzerman to shift gears.
So far, he’s been calculated, even cautious, when it comes to making splashy moves. Yes, he’s made some solid trades - bringing in John Gibson from Anaheim and acquiring DeBrincat from Ottawa were both smart, forward-thinking deals.
And he hasn’t been afraid to spend in free agency, adding players like J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp, and Ben Chiarot.
But none of those moves screamed “win-now.” They were about raising the team’s floor - making sure Detroit wouldn’t bottom out again.
What’s still missing is a move that raises the ceiling.
And that’s what this moment calls for.
The Red Wings are in a rare position. They're not just clinging to a wild card spot - they’re in the thick of the race for the top of the conference.
That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a team is ready to take the next step.
And if Yzerman truly believes this group is ready, then the time to push some chips in is now.
There’s precedent for this in Detroit sports. Look at the Lions - they’ve made bold, timely moves to elevate their roster and have reaped the rewards.
The Tigers, on the other hand, have taken a more conservative approach, often prioritizing quantity over quality. That strategy backfired in spectacular fashion, especially at the MLB Trade Deadline, when a flurry of underwhelming moves failed to address real needs.
The result? A collapse that cost them the division.
And now, they’re in a standoff with their best player, Tarik Skubal, over a long-term deal. That’s not the blueprint the Red Wings can afford to follow.
This isn’t about mortgaging the future for a rental. Yzerman has said he’s open to moving future assets - but only for the right player, someone who fits the team’s timeline and sticks around beyond a few months.
Well, that kind of player is out there. And with the Wings showing they can hang with the best in the East, the conditions are finally right.
Whether it’s one big move or a couple of strategic additions, the message needs to be clear: this team is for real, and it’s ready to win now. Standing pat wouldn’t just be a missed opportunity - it could risk undoing the momentum that’s been building all season.
Players know when a front office believes in them. They also know when it hesitates.
This is a team that’s earned belief. It’s earned investment. And if the Red Wings want to end this decade-long playoff drought with more than just a first-round appearance, it’s time to act like a team that’s ready to make noise.
The window is cracked open. Now it’s on Yzerman to kick it wide.