When 2025 began, the Detroit Red Wings were just one week into the Todd McLellan era, marking the first time the franchise made a midseason coaching change since the 1985–86 campaign. Almost immediately, the move sparked a surge in play, with the Wings climbing into one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference heading into the World Cup of Hockey break in mid-February.
That momentum, however, did not last. A disastrous loss in the final game before the tournament, followed by a familiar and brutal stretch from late February into early March (not the first time — please let it be the last), ultimately doomed Detroit’s playoff hopes. The Red Wings finished the 2024–25 season five points short of the Eastern Conference playoff cutoff.
Low Expectations and a Noisy Offseason
Vibes around the team entering the offseason were low. On-ice additions heading into 2025–26 did little to inspire confidence — though the trade for John Gibson from Anaheim stood out as a significant move.
Instead, much of the attention centered on off-ice moments: the unveiling of the franchise’s Centennial logo, the return of “Hockeytown” at center ice, the debut of a new alternate uniform, and — finally — the long-awaited announcement that Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 will be retired and raised to the rafters at Little Caesars Arena on Monday, January 12, before the Red Wings face the Carolina Hurricanes.
Still, optimism was quickly tested. A 5–1 home loss to the Montreal Canadiens on opening night in October made it feel like another long season might be ahead. McLellan’s postgame comments — followed by pointed messages in subsequent practices — made it clear that this version of the Red Wings was determined to avoid that fate.
A Surprising First Half
Fast forward nearly three months, and Detroit is preparing to play Game 41 of the 2025–26 season on New Year’s Eve against the Winnipeg Jets — the official halfway point of the schedule.
Few saw this coming.
The Red Wings enter the night leading the Atlantic Division with a 23–14–3 record (49 points), capped by an impressive 10–3–1 December. A Christmas miracle, if there ever was one.
Why It’s Working
Several factors have fueled Detroit’s resurgence:
- Todd McLellan’s fiery, no-nonsense leadership, setting a tone this team has desperately needed
- Strong offensive production from Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Lucas Raymond
- Larkin and DeBrincat became the first Red Wings duo to score 20 goals before Christmas since Steve Yzerman and Paul MacLean in 1988
- Continued defensive growth from Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, with Seider emerging as a legitimate Norris Trophy candidate
- Timely contributions from veterans like Andrew Copp and James van Riemsdyk
- Clutch goaltending at key moments from John Gibson and Cam Talbot
- The emergence of rookies Emmitt Finnie and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, showcasing real organizational depth — just look at what the Grand Rapids Griffins are doing in the AHL
So… Are They Back?
This start has been impressive — and personally, it’s been a joy to experience. The question being asked both in Detroit and around the league is simple: are the Red Wings actually back?
There’s still half a season to play, and hurdles remain — the Olympic break, the trade deadline, and that dreaded late-February to mid-March stretch that has haunted this team in recent years.
Can Detroit sustain the momentum, push through adversity, and finally end the playoff drought?
We’ll see.
But damn it — we sure hope so.
