The Detroit Red Wings have regression candidates on their roster heading into the 2024-25 season. This is not specific to Detroit, mind you. Even teams such as the Edmonton Oilers have regression candidates on their team. However, there does seem to exist a narrative of overall regression surrounding head coach Derek Lalonde’s team this summer.
The Red Wings added talent this offseason, bringing in Vladimir Tarasenko and Cam Talbot. Additionally, Detroit kept Patrick Kane from testing NHL Free Agency. However, it’s hard to gauge how much better this team is from the end of 2023-24.
Lalonde addressed this narrative on Monday morning and reaffirmed his belief in his team. “A little bit of the narrative is a potential regression. We don’t see that as coaches, and we certainly don’t look at it like that that … We’re better on day 1 this year than we were day 1 last year, player for player,” the Red Wings head coach said, via 97.1 The Ticket’s Will Burchfield.
Derek Lalonde, Red Wings may face tough Atlantic Division battles
The Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker in 2024. This summer was about reshaping the roster as best they can so they are able to make the leap into postseason hockey. In saying this, Detroit is likely to face tough competition in their own division…