Something is Seriously Missing from the Red Wings, and a Few Basic Stats Show It
As the Detroit Red Wings continue their rebuilding journey, it’s clear that the team is still lacking in certain areas, despite promising flashes of growth in recent seasons. While they have a solid core of young talent, something crucial seems to be missing in their quest to return to playoff contention. A closer look at some key stats reveals just how far the team has to go before they can truly be competitive in the NHL once again.
Scoring Depth
One of the most glaring issues for the Red Wings over the past few seasons has been their lack of consistent scoring depth. While they have some exciting young forwards, like Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, their offensive output as a whole often falls short. Detroit ranks near the bottom in goals scored per game, which is a direct reflection of their inability to generate offense beyond a few key players.
For comparison, teams like the Colorado Avalanche or Florida Panthers—who are playoff mainstays—boast depth throughout their forward lines, with multiple players capable of producing offense. The Red Wings, however, tend to rely heavily on their top lines for scoring, and when those players are neutralized by opposing defenses, the team struggles to generate chances.
In the 2023 season, Detroit ranked 22nd in the league in goals per game with an average of 2.78. To make the playoffs and be a legitimate contender, they need more scoring across all four lines. They lack that second or third-line depth that can create opportunities and support the team when their stars aren’t firing on all cylinders.
Special Teams Woes
Another area where the Red Wings are falling short is in special teams—specifically the power play and penalty kill. Despite having some talented players, their power play is far from efficient. In 2023, the Red Wings finished 26th in the league on the power play, converting just 16.9% of their opportunities. In today’s NHL, where special teams can often be the difference between winning and losing, this is a major shortcoming.
Similarly, Detroit’s penalty kill needs improvement. While they aren’t among the absolute worst in the league, they still find themselves in the bottom half of teams, ranking 19th in the league at 78.3% kill efficiency. For a team that struggles to generate consistent offense at 5-on-5, giving up goals while shorthanded is an additional burden they can’t afford. To take the next step in their rebuild, the Red Wings need to become much more efficient in these crucial moments of the game.
Goaltending Inconsistency
Goaltending is always a critical factor for any team, and for Detroit, it’s been a bit of a revolving door in recent years. While Ville Husso has shown promise at times, consistency has been an issue. In 2023, Husso posted a save percentage of .896, which is far from elite. A reliable goaltender can be the backbone of a team, and while Husso’s potential is there, Detroit has yet to see the type of standout goaltending needed to push them into playoff contention.
This inconsistency in goal leads to the feeling that the team’s defensive efforts aren’t being rewarded. If the Red Wings can’t rely on their netminder to steal games, they will continue to fall short, especially in close matchups where a solid goaltender can make all the difference.
Defensive Play Needs Improvement
While Detroit has a talented young defenseman in Moritz Seider, the Red Wings’ overall defensive structure is another area where they are lagging behind. The team’s defense has been a bit porous, ranking 23rd in the league in goals allowed per game. Although they have made improvements over the past few seasons, their defensive core remains a work in progress. Their lack of depth on the blue line is evident, especially when facing high-powered offenses.
To become a more competitive team, the Red Wings need to clean up their defensive zone play. Their forwards need to be more committed to backchecking, and their defensive pairings need to be more cohesive. With more experience and perhaps a couple of veteran additions, the Red Wings could shore up their defense and become a more balanced team.
Conclusion
In the end, while the Detroit Red Wings have some exciting young players and have shown signs of improvement, basic stats reveal that there are still several glaring holes in their game. Their lack of scoring depth, inconsistent special teams, unsteady goaltending, and defensive struggles are all factors that need to be addressed if they hope to return to playoff contention. The rebuild isn’t over yet, but the Red Wings must make progress in these areas if they are to take the next step forward. Until they do, something will continue to be missing from the team, holding them back from truly competing at a high level.
