Detroit, MI
Detroit Red Wings 2025-26 grades feature some A’s, some D’s
Watch Steve Yzerman, Todd McLellan thoughts on 2025-26 Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and coach Todd McLellan on April 23, 2026 in Detroit.
There was a little moment of levity at the end of the press conference held by general manager Steve Yzerman and coach Todd McLellan to discuss the 2025-26 Detroit Red Wings.
They had just wrapped up about 45 minutes of answering reporters’ questions on Thursday, April 23 when a last, lighthearted one was lobbed at McLellan. He’d been fidgeting with his notebook, and was asked if reporters could see it. “You won’t be able to read it,” McLellan said, smiling.
“It’s not worth looking at,” Yzerman said, laughing. “I’ve seen it all year.”
Ultimately, the notes on this season’s squad could be summed up by three words: iot good enough. That’s as a group. Individually, some players fared well in their final grades – Alex DeBrincat, for one, aced things with the way he competed and produced.
Here, then, are the final grades for the men who finished the season with the Red Wings.
F Mason Appleton: D
Stats: 6 goals, 8 assists, minus-4 rating in 65 games.
Contract: $2.9 million average annual value through 2026-27.
Buzz: Was supposed bring an edge and a bit of scoring, but made next to no impact in the second half, with just three points from the start of January.
D Jacob Bernard-Docker: C
Stats: 1 goal, 4 assists, even rating in 63 games.
Contract: $1.6 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Serviceable third-pairing defenseman.
D Ben Chiarot: B
Stats: 5 goals, 10 assists, minus-9 in 82 games.
Contract: $3.85 million AAV through 2028-29.
The buzz: Generally gives a hard effort, and plays with an edge.
F J.T. Compher: D
Stats: 11 goals, 17 assists, minus-13 in 82 games.
Contract: $5.1 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Not good enough to play in the top six, doesn’t contribute enough in the bottom six.
F Andrew Copp: C+
Stats: 9 goals, 34 assists, plus-3 in 79 games.
Contract: $5.625 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Found a role centering the second line but needs to be more consistent.
F Alex DeBrincat: A
Stats: 41 goals, 44 assists, plus-8 in 82 games.
Contract: $7.875 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Shows up every shift, always plays competitive hockey and the most consistent scoring threat on the team.
D Simon Edvinsson: B+
Stats: 9 goals, 16 assists, plus-12 in 72 games.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Buzz: Big and rangy and works hard, but really needs to work on taking fewer penalties, because he had some doozies.
D Justin Faulk: B
Stats: 5 goals, 3 assists, minus-5 in 17 games with Wings.
Contract: $6.5 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Came in at the trade deadline and immediately improved the top-four defense corps at both ends of the ice.
F Emmitt Finnie: B+
Stats: 13 goals, 17 assists, minus-10 in 82 games.
Contract: $821,667 AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: The rookie overall did well, though there were times during the season the former seventh-round pick faded. Much more suited to playing on a third line than on the first.
G John Gibson: A-
Stats: 29-22-4 with a 2.72 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in 57 games.
Contract: $6.4 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Let’s be clear – since he found his groove at Thanksgiving, Gibson was the reason the Wings looked like they were going to make the playoffs. He bailed out his teammates time and again, only slipping a bit towards the end.
D Travis Hamonic: D
Stats: 2 assists, minus-11 in 26 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: Spent most of his time as a healthy scratch.
D Albert Johansson: C+
Stats: 3 goals, 8 assists, minus-18 in 82 games.
Contract: $1.125 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Could be harder against opponents considering he does not see top matchups.
F Patrick Kane: B+
Stats: 16 goals, 41 assists, minus-1 in 67 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: The 37-year-old was the team’s second-leading scorer with 25 points the last 26 games (behind DeBrincat’s 28). A clutch performer whose biggest issue is staying healthy, but at around $3 million, he’s well worth the investment.
F Marco Kasper: C-
Stats: 9 goals, 10 assists, minus-20 in 81 games.
Contract: $886,666 AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: There was a slight uptick in his second-half play, but all in all, a disappointing sophomore season from a player the Wings hope can develop into a solid two-way center.
F Dylan Larkin: B+
Stats: 34 goals, 33 assists, plus-3 in 74 games.
Contract: $8.7 million AAV through 2030-31.
Buzz: Dealt with injuries down the stretch, but his work ethic never faltered. For those who don’t think he’s a No. 1 center, name 32 who are better.
F Carter Mazur: C+
Stats: No points, minus-3 in eight games.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Buzz: Brought energy, but was put in a tough position when he was asked to help a team flailing after his call-up in late March.
F David Perron: D
Stats: 3 goals, minus-9 in 16 games with the Wings.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: After undergoing sports hernia surgery in January, the trade-deadline acquisition just wasn’t able to bring the energy or scoring the Wings sought from their popular former teammate.
F Michael Rasmussen: D
Stats: 6 goals, 8 assists, minus-10 in 64 games.
Contract: $3.2 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Doesn’t bring nearly enough to the lineup. Had one point in the 28 games from Jan. 1 to the end of the season.
F Lucas Raymond: B
Stats: 25 goals, 51 assists, plus-1 in 80 games.
Contract: $8.075 million AAV through 2031-32.
Buzz: For a second straight year, he faltered coming out of an international event in February (4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, Olympics in 2026), with just 16 points the last 24 games.
D Axel Sandin-Pellikka: C
Stats: 7 goals, 14 assists, minus-20 in 68 games.
Contract: $918,333 AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Tons of talent, but the rookie’s risky maneuvers were anxiety-inducing.
D Moritz Seider: A
Stats: 10 goals, 50 assists, plus-15 in 82 games.
Contract: $8.55 million AAV through 2030-31.
The buzz: An absolute gem who delivers in all facets of the game. Had a career season, stats-wise
F Dominik Shine: C+
Stats: 3 goals, even rating in 18 games.
Contract: $875,000 AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Provided energy as a grinder.
G Cam Talbot: C
Stats: 12-9-6 with a 3.19 GAA and .883 save percentage in 34 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: Wasn’t relied on much down the stretch and faced some tough assignments.
F James van Riemsdyk: C
Stats: 15 goals, 16 assists, minus-17 in 72 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agents.
Buzz: 15 goals for $1 million (his salary in 2025-26) is quite respectable, but there was only one goal after the Olympic break. Plays big and goes to the net, like Tomas Holmstrom could attest, but he can’t be effective in that spot if teammates don’t get the puck there.
Coaching staff: B
Buzz: Todd McLellan and his staff emphasized three things from the start of camp: Be tougher to play against physically, mental toughness and game management. There were signs of improvement and resilience from players, but also signs of not being able to implement those facets when it mattered most – in March and April. McLellan and his staff has done the utmost to hold players accountable, and the failure to reach the playoffs reflects much more on players than McLellan.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
Her books: “The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings, A Curated History of Hockeytown,” and “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” and “The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Detroit Red Wings” are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
The Detroit Lions schedule is now officially available to review and examine.
While Dan Campbell’s squad is playing a fourth-place schedule, the ending stretch, which features three division games in four weeks on the road, presents the roster their biggest challenge.
Early in the season, there are opportunities to secure a handful of victories, as the opponents are coming off disappointing 2025 seasons.
Here are four reasons the Lions 2026 NFL schedule can end up being beneficial to Campbell’s squad.
Early portion of schedule is favorable
In the first five weeks, the Lions only play one team, the Buffalo Buffalo Bills, that was able to secure a playoff victory last season.
Detroit opens up against a Saints team that is still in the early phases of a new regime. Campbell should be quite familiar with the Jets and will have the Lions in prime position to take advantage of knowing how Aaron Glenn operates.
The Arizona Cardinals are not favored to win a single game on their 2026 schedule.
Bills game is early in the season
Typically, it takes NFL teams about three to four games to get fully acclimated at the start of a new season.
Buffalo will be still learning how new head coach Joe Brady likes to operate in his new role leading the team.
Facing Buffalo in Week 2 should give Detroit an opportunity to take advantage of any early season woes that are inherent when a team hires new coaches and brings in new players.
Lions have opportunity to win all games at Ford Field this season
Detroit’s first two division games take place at Ford Field. Following an early bye in Week 6, the team faces the Packers and Vikings just before the halfway mark of the season.
The game against the New England Patriots to set to take place in Germany. Detroit’s home slate features many winnable games and will provide fans the opportunity to celebrate after the conclusion of 60 minutes of action.
Lions road schedule is not daunting outside of division games
Detroit will face their fair share of challenges against division rivals. But when the team packs up their bags and heads on the road, they are favored in the majority of road games.
The Bills game is the most challenging on paper, as the Lions are also scheduled to face the Falcons, Cardinals, Panthers and Dolphins away from Ford Field.
For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel.
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Detroit Pistons forced Game 7 with a 115-94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 in Cleveland on Friday.
Pistons forced Game 7 with a 115-94 win over the Cavaliers in Game 6 in Cleveland on Friday.
Detroit — After staving off elimination Friday night at Rocket Arena, the Detroit Pistons will face the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night, with the series tied 3-3. If the Pistons win Game 7, they will reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2008 and will compete against the New York Knicks.
In preparation, the Pistons released their final injury report for the series, which lists Kevin Huerter, Caris LeVert, and Duncan Robinson as questionable for Game 7. LeVert (right heel contusion) and Robinson (lower back soreness) were listed as questionable ahead of the Pistons’ 115-94 Game 6 victory but played vital roles in the win.
Robinson returned to the lineup after missing Game 5 Wednesday night, finishing with 14 points while shooting 4-of-7 from behind the arc in 20 minutes. However, he returned from the injury by coming off the bench for the first time this season. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff chose to keep Daniss Jenkins in the starting lineup to assess Robinson’s condition.
Huerter has been listed as questionable for the third time since his return for a left adductor strain that forced him to miss seven consecutive games. He sustained the injury during the Pistons’ first-round series against the Orlando Magic. He played for three minutes in his comeback on Wednesday night but left the game shortly thereafter. Despite being available, Huerter did not play in Game 6.
However, the most significant reveal from the Pistons’ injury report was the noticeable absence of Jalen Duren. The All-Star center rolled his left ankle midway through the third quarter of Game 6 after colliding with Cavaliers guard James Harden.
Bickerstaff substituted Duren immediately for Paul Reed. He made a couple of trips to the locker room, but returned at the start of the fourth quarter. As a result, Duren had his most impactful game of the series, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds and two blocks.
NBA Playoffs, second round: No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 4 Cavaliers
Series tied 3-3
Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101
Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97
Game 3: Cavaliers 116, Pistons 109
Game 4: Cavaliers 112, Pistons 103
Game 5: Cavaliers 117, Pistons 113 (OT)
Game 6: Pistons 115, Cavaliers 94
Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, 8 p.m. (Amazon Prime)
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
Every year, the NFL schedule bring upon something new for the Detroit Lions. This year, it’s a trip to Germany, a rare “Sunday Night Football” game at Carolina, and an early bye week. Oh wait, scratch that last one. It happens all that time.
Another constant on the Lions’ schedule is their divisional opponents. Like every other team, Detroit’s six divisional games make up over a third of their entire schedule. That means Detroit’s record within the NFC North will likely be crucial toward their regular season success. And with all three of their road divisional games crammed into the final four weeks of the season, how Detroit fares in those contests will almost certainly decide where they land in the postseason picture.
Last year, Detroit was swept by both the Vikings and Packers, and even though they ended up sweeping the division-winning Chicago Bears, it wasn’t enough to punch their ticket to the playoffs. So today’s Question of the Day is:
How many division wins will the Lions pick up on their 2026 schedule?
My answer: I’m going with three.
First off, let’s get this straight. There is no universe where getting swept by the Vikings again in 2026 is acceptable. I understand their defense is a very tough matchup for an offense-heavy team like the Lions, but Minnesota’s roster just doesn’t compare to the rest of the division right now—especially with the questions at quarterback. Because the Vikings still always play the Lions tough, I’ll give them a split of the series.
And I’m going to be boring with the other two teams, too. I expect a split with each series. I think Ben Johnson will have a chip on his shoulder after getting swept by Dan Campbell last year and find a way to win one of those games. And while I’m really tempted to predict a sweep of the Packers, I’m just having a hard time seeing it given how well they tend to play against Detroit. The Lions will have the benefit of the bye week going into their first matchup, but a Week 18 game in Lambeau will be tough, even if the Lions managed to beat them in that exact scenario during the 2022 season.
How many division wins do you think the Lions pick up this year? Vote in the poll below and share your reasoning in the comment section.
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