Is the Detroit Red Wings considered a playoff team ahead of the 2024-25 season?

After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2024, the goal is clear: finally make the postseason.

Detroit's roster has seen improvements. Offensively, the addition of Vladimir Tarasenko and a full season of Patrick Kane are upgrading, with their defence poised to benefit from Simon Edvinsson and a motivated Jeff Petry. Cam Talbot's arrival on the net is an upgrade, complemented by a healthy Ville Husso and Alex Lyon.

However, the competition in the Eastern Conference remains fierce. With teams like the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New Jersey Devils seemingly locked in for playoff spots, the Red Wings face an uphill battle. They compete with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff spots.

While the Detroit Red Wings are better on paper, whether they can outperform their Eastern Conference rivals remains uncertain. The odds reflect this, with the Detroit Red Wings having a 43.1% chance of making the playoffs, according to FanDuel. They remain on the fringe but are closer than they've been in years.

Source: The Hockey Writers
Are the Red Wings a Playoff Team?

Source: ESPN
NHL ranking 2023-24