Red Wings Rant Podcast

I said Detroit would beat Calgary and lose to Vancouver and Edmonton. The Red Wings did the exact opposite. Mike called four points. Apparently, I don’t know puck.
 

On Season 7, Episode 414 of Red Wings Rant, we happily eat those words after a 2–1–0 week and a 2–1–1 Western road trip. Michal Postava wins his first NHL start, Moritz Seider takes on Edmonton’s star power, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård delivers 11 hits, the most by a Red Wing since the NHL began tracking the stat in 2005–06.

We break down Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton using Natural Stat Trick’s season-v...

Detroit erased a 3–0 deficit in Seattle, and Alex DeBrincat’s last-minute 300th career goal forced overtime. The Wings still fell 4–3 in the shootout. Was this a point earned or another opportunity missed?

On Season7, Episode413 of Red Wings Rant, we break down the comeback, every Detroit player’s HockeyStatCards Game Score, and Natural Stat Trick’s season-versus-last-week numbers: Corsi, Fenwick, expected goals, chance quality, and PDO.

Then we dig into The Athletic’s report that Dylan Larkin would accept a trade to ten U.S. teams—with Montreal currently off the list. We revisit John Buccigross’s s...

Alex DeBrincat is staying in Detroit. His seven-year, $91 million extension gives the Red Wings a much-needed vote of confidence—but can they turn that commitment into wins?

On Red Wings Rant Episode 412, we break down DeBrincat’s $13 million annual cap hit, why he chose to stay through the turmoil, and what Shawn Horcoff’s first major move means for Detroit’s direction.

DeBrincat, Emmitt Finnie and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård have become Detroit’s bright spot, with their line driving all four Red Wings goals against New Jersey. But losses to Seattle, Montreal and the Devils have left D...

Dylan Larkin returned to boos—and finished as first star. His goal and assist helped the Detroit Red Wings beat the Ottawa Senators 5–3 for their first win of the season. How much changes with Larkin back?

On Red Wings Rant Episode 411, we compare Detroit’s ugly 0–2 start with the Ottawa win using Evolving Hockey’s even-strength analytics. Lucas Raymond’s expected-goal share jumped from 13.2% and 22.5% to 61.6%. His minutes finally produced more offense and allowed fewer dangerous chances.

But the team-wide numbers tell a more complicated story: better finishing helped Detroit win, even without a surge in expected...

The 2026-27 season begins October 2, and the Detroit Red Wings have nowhere left to hide.

Detroit submitted its 23-man roster with Simon Edvinsson still unsigned, Dylan Larkin working his way back from an upper-body injury and outside projections pointing toward another step backward. We break down the opening roster, why the Edvinsson stalemate is so frustrating and how Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider and a healthy Larkin can keep this team competitive from night to night.

But the real story is the young core.

Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Emmitt F...

Apologies for the broken audio.

Dylan Larkin finally addressed the media, but the biggest question remains unanswered: Is his trade request still active?

Larkin confirmed that he asked to be traded, said he does not regret the decision and accepted losing the captaincy as a consequence. But when asked whether the request still stands or what pushed him to make it, Larkin made it clear that he was not ready to provide those answers.

So why did the Red Wings believe this press conference was necessary? Did Detroit expect Larkin to provide closure...

Training camp is underway, the prospects are back on the ice and the Detroit Red Wings finally have a general manager. Sort of.

Detroit named Shawn Horcoff interim General Manager after spending two months searching for Steve Yzerman’s replacement. Horcoff has full authority over roster decisions, the salary cap and hockey operations personnel, but the interim label remains while Chris Ilitch continues the search on his own timeline.

Did Detroit choose Horcoff because he is the right leader for the organization, or did the search leave the Red Wings with the executive who was al...

Elliotte Friedman says the Red Wings are open to a nontraditional GM who can present a specific plan and that resources will be available. Carlos Monarrez’s anonymous sources paint a more explosive picture: Chris Ilitch allegedly hesitated on major signings, Steve Yzerman struggled to speak ownership’s analytical language, and Little Caesars Arena is now “chaotic.”

How much of that should we believe?

We examine four possibilities: Monarrez’s sourcing is thin; Ilitch reasonably demanded a better argument for spending his money; Yzerman built a front office that failed to evolve; or ownership never trusted it...

The biggest update on the Detroit Red Wings’ GM search is that there still isn’t one.

The Tigers traded generational ace Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, the Red Wings remain early in their search for Steve Yzerman’s replacement—with major decisions involving Dylan Larkin, Simon Edvinsson and Alex DeBrincat still waiting.

In this episode of Red Wings Rant, Mike and Matt discuss:

We count down 15 candidates to become Detroit’s next general manager or head of hockey operations. This is not a prediction of who Chris Ilitch is most likely to hire. It’s a ranking of who could create the clearest break from the previous regime and deliver a faster, more modern turnaround.

The candidates include:

Kris Draper, Shawn Horcoff, Ryan Martin, Tom Fitzgerald, Brendan Shanahan, Marc Bergevin, Josh Flynn, Brandon Pridham, Jim Nill, Scott White, Sam Ventura, Evan Gold, Brett Peterson, Tim Barnes and Darren Yorke.

Who can establish a legitimate contention window? Who...

The Steve Yzerman era as Red Wings general manager is over — kind of.

The Detroit Red Wings announced a major hockey operations leadership transition, with Yzerman moving out of the GM role and into a senior advisor position while the organization begins a search for a new head of hockey operations.

So… what now?

Is this the beginning of a real organizational reset?
Is this a move designed to speed up the Dylan Larkin trade?
Could it actually convince Larkin, Patrick Kane, or Alex DeBrincat to stay?
Or is this just...

The Red Wings Rant free agency episode is getting a second chance after our internet destroyed the first recording — and somehow, the NHL gave us an even better conversation.

Free agency opened. The Red Wings didn’t meaningfully change their trajectory. Dylan Larkin still wants out. Steve Yzerman says he’ll do what’s in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings.

But what does “best interest” actually mean?

Is it what helps the team today?

Is it what protects the front office from criticism?

Or is it what gives t...

Tomorrow is the NHL Draft, and somehow the Detroit Red Wings head into it without a first-round pick while the rest of the league reshapes the NHL.

Since our last episode we've seen one of the wildest trade weeks in recent memory.

• Brady Tkachuk joins his brother in Florida.
• Washington adds Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou.
• Ottawa lands William Eklund.
• Buffalo flips Bowen Byram into the 4th overall pick.
• Calgary pays a massive price for Simon Nemec.
• Colorado, Toronto and several others continue adding NHL talent.

Meanwhile...

The Dylan...

For years we've asked the question:

If the Detroit Red Wings were going to copy another contender, which team should it be?

Back when the Hurricanes were making deep playoff runs, we argued Carolina was the blueprint. Now Rod Brind'Amour and the Hurricanes have finally won the Stanley Cup.

So how close are the Red Wings to becoming Carolina?

And after Vegas reached another Stanley Cup Final, how close are the Red Wings to becoming Vegas?

In this episode we compare Detroit's roster, scoring depth, even-strength production, power play...

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The biggest Detroit Red Wings story in years may have just dropped.

According to Elliotte Friedman, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade out of Detroit. While details remain limited, multiple reports suggest frustration with Detroit's inability to end its playoff drought and growing tension between Larkin and Steve Yzerman may have contributed to the situation.

If true, this changes everything.

In this emergency Red Wings Rant episode, we break down:

* What Friedman actually reported

* Why Larkin may have reac...

The Detroit Red Wings offseason is officially here, and after missing the playoffs again, the pressure is building on Steve Yzerman to make real changes.

In this episode of Red Wings Rant, we catch up on the latest around Detroit, dive into the NHL rumor mill, and look at how a rising salary cap and a thin free agent class could create a wild trade market this summer.

We discuss potential Red Wings targets including Elias Pettersson, Mason McTavish, Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Jason Robertson, Alex Tuch, Bobby McMann, Mason Marchment an...

The Detroit Red Wings are officially at a crossroads.

After a 10th straight season without playoffs and another late-season collapse, Steve Yzerman finally said what everyone has been thinking: this team needs to change.

But here’s the real question…
Will he actually do it?

In this episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down insights from Max Bultman’s latest reporting on:

The Detroit Red Wings season didn’t end with a whimper… it ended with an 8-1 collapse against the Florida Panthers.

And honestly? It felt fitting.

In this quick season wrap episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down:

Is this team finally ready to take a step for...

The season is over.

And if you’re still holding onto hope, let me ask you this:

What else do you need to see?

The Detroit Red Wings just lost again—this time blowing a late lead with 17 seconds left against the Columbus Blue Jackets before losing in a shootout.

Three straight losses.
Multiple late-game collapses.
Points handed directly to the teams you’re chasing.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are taking care of business—beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 and tightening their grip on the final playoff...

The calendar flipped to March… and so did the Detroit Red Wings season.

For the fourth straight year, the Red Wings fell apart when it mattered most. What once looked like a playoff team — built on health, momentum, and elite goaltending — completely unraveled.

This episode of Red Wings Rant breaks down:

The illusion of early-season success driven by health and hot goaltending

The drop-off from elite to “just good” in net with John Gibson and Cam Talbot

Back-to-back embarrassments vs. the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins

A major disc...

The Detroit Red Wings are running out of time… and answers.

After spending most of the season near the top of the Eastern Conference, the Wings have now dropped to 10th place following brutal back-to-back losses to the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators.

Against Boston, it felt like a win stolen.
Jeremy Swayman stood on his head, stopping everything and completely flipping the game.

But against Ottawa? That’s where things get concerning.

The Senators came in:

The Detroit Red Wings are still fighting for their playoff lives — and somehow, they’re still standing.

After a brutal stretch that saw Detroit sliding down the standings, the Wings managed to steal a point against the Dallas Stars in a game they had no business staying in early. A rare mistake from Jake Oettinger opened the door… and Detroit walked right through it.

Then came a must-win game against the Calgary Flames — and while it wasn’t perfect, the Wings got the job done.

But let’s be real:
This season is coming do...

The Detroit Red Wings were two minutes away from building momentum.

Instead, they blew a late 3-2 lead to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers and lost 4-3 after allowing two goals in just a couple minutes.

A missed clear by Simon Edvinsson and a weak defensive sequence involving Justin Faulk turned a potential win into another brutal March collapse.

Now the Red Wings are fighting to hold onto a wild card spot.

Detroit currently holds the first wild card position by just one point over the Boston Bruins, who...

The Detroit Red Wings finally made their move at the NHL trade deadline.

Steve Yzerman adds two key pieces for the playoff push — bringing back veteran winger David Perron and acquiring top-four defenseman Justin Faulk.

Detroit sent:

• A conditional 4th-round pick for Perron
• A 1st-round pick, 3rd-round pick and Justin Holl to St. Louis for Faulk

Perron returns to Detroit after previously playing with the Red Wings from 2022-2024, where he was one of the team’s most respected locker-room leaders and a key offensive contributor. The 37-year-old winger should help Det...

The Detroit Red Wings have done everything asked of them this season.

They’ve responded to adversity.
They’ve improved their penalty kill.
They’ve stayed in the playoff race all year long.

Now with the NHL trade deadline approaching, the pressure shifts to Steve Yzerman.

Inspired by the latest analysis from Max Bultman, this episode of Red Wings Rant dives into why Detroit’s front office needs to act before the deadline.

The Red Wings blew a 3-1 third-period lead to the Vegas Golden Knights, losing 4-3 in ov...

The Olympic break is over. The NHL trade freeze is lifted. And the Detroit Red Wings are back to work.

In this episode of Red Wings Rant, we reset the table on everything:

February 26 – at Ottawa Senators
February 28 – at Carolina Hurricanes

Why starting with a win matt...

The NHL is on Olympic break — and the Detroit Red Wings are sitting third in the Atlantic Division.

But what does that actually mean?

According to Max Bultman’s latest mailbag, the Eastern Conference cut line may land closer to 99 points this year — not the 91–92 we’ve seen recently. That makes the simple “.500 hockey gets you in” narrative a little too comfortable.

In this episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down:

The Red Wings head into the Olympic break with their goals still in sight — and their biggest questions unresolved.

Detroit closed the pre-break stretch by proving two very different things. First, they showed their ceiling by shutting out Colorado, becoming the first team all season to hold the Avalanche scoreless while limiting them to their lowest high-danger chance output of the year. Then, just days later, a 4–1 loss to Utah — with the lone goal coming on the power play — reminded everyone where this team remains vulnerable.

We break down why the Colorado win mattered so much, ho...

Simon Edvinsson is out through the Olympic break — and the Red Wings just got a real test.

Detroit followed up an 8-1-1 stretch with a tight, frustrating 3–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, a team built to choke off offense and win on the margins. The result wasn’t panic-worthy — but it was revealing.

We break down what Edvinsson’s injury actually changes, why the Kings were able to make Detroit look sloppy without dominating play, and how two defensive lapses ultimately decided the game. We also dig into why breaking up the Albert...

The Red Wings are winning, developing internally, and staring straight at a trade market that’s getting more expensive by the day.

We start with a quick results check, including Detroit’s win over San Jose, the OT win against Ottawa, and tonight’s game vs. Toronto (updated after puck drop). Marco Kasper’s breakout performance against the Sharks is a key part of that conversation, raising an important question as the deadline approaches: how much help does Detroit truly need from outside versus growth from within?

From there, we pivot to the t...

The Detroit Red Wings remain firmly in the Atlantic Division race — and this week proved why.

Detroit delivered two massive statement wins, blanking the red-hot Montreal Canadiens 4–0 on the road and gutting out an overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes, another Eastern Conference heavyweight. Those weren’t flukes — they were games where the Wings showed structure, composure, and the ability to shut teams down.

Detroit’s 3–0 loss to the Boston Bruins looks ugly on the surface, but context matters. This was the second night of a back-to-back after an emo...

The Red Wings are still winning — but the path hasn’t been clean.

In this extended episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down a critical stretch that includes back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh, a controversial but important win over Ottawa, and what those games reveal about where Detroit actually stands.

The Wings were thoroughly out-chanced against the Penguins at five-on-five, posting just a 38.4% expected-goals share. Against Ottawa, they flipped the script on the scoreboard — despite MoneyPuck giving them only a 27% chance to win — by capitalizing on mistakes, special teams, and timely goaltending.

That contrast...

The Red Wings are rolling — and Moritz Seider is driving the bus.

In this short pre-game episode before puck drop against the Stars, we break down Detroit’s back-to-back wins over the Washington Capitals, capped by Seider’s overtime game-winner and another dominant weekend from Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond.

The Wings are now first in the Atlantic by points and points percentage, tied for third-most regulation wins in the Eastern Conference, and — most importantly — winning games the right way<...