In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Detroit Red Wings—a franchise inching toward contention but still battling to break through.

It’s been nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth in Hockeytown. The last time the Red Wings won a playoff series? Back in 2013.

Now, under Steve Yzerman's front office leadership, Detroit hopes that one major offseason swing—a trade for John Gibson—can stabilize their goaltending and finally push them over the edge.

Will it be enough?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Red Wings: A decade of frustration

[00:36] Power play high, penalty kill worst in the league

[01:00] John Gibson acquisition: a franchise-altering gamble?

[02:00] Goaltending swap: Gibson for Mrazek

[02:45] Other offseason additions: JVR, Appleton, Hamonic

[03:50] Prospect pool preview: Danielson, Mazur, Cossa

[04:30] Offensive core: DeBrincat, Larkin, Raymond, Kane

[05:15] Is there enough depth if someone goes down?

[06:00] Playoff competition: Too many contenders, too few spots

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

John Gibson is the swing piece. If he returns to form, Detroit may finally have the goaltending they’ve lacked for years. If not, the playoff drought could hit a full decade.

Power play success masked penalty kill disaster. Detroit ranked 4th in PP% last year—but dead last (32nd) in PK%, and had just 2 shorthanded goals.

Yzerman’s offseason was conservative. Outside of the Gibson trade, additions like James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, and Travis Hamonic won’t move the needle significantly.

Detroit's window is tightening. With the East getting deeper (Montreal, Ottawa, Columbus, Buffalo all fighting), the margin for error is razor thin.

Offensive leaders like Dylan Larkin, DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane must stay healthy—this team can’t afford to lose top-end scoring.

FINAL VERDICT:

Detroit made one major move this offseason—and if John Gibson plays like the All-Star he once was, it could be a franchise-defining deal. But with penalty-kill woes, aging secondary scoring, and intense wild card competition, the Red Wings remain a bubble team in a crowded East.

Is year 10 of the rebuild the one that finally breaks the curse—or does the streak stretch into double digits?

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