Red Wings Finally Generating Playoff and Trade Deadline Buzz

The Detroit Red Wings are generating serious buzz heading into this season’s trade deadline, and it’s about time. For the first time in years, it feels like GM Steve Yzerman is in a strong position and his “Yzerplan”, which many didn’t understand, is coming into fruition.

During the NHL’s Olympic break for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, Detroit finds itself firmly in the playoff conversation. The Red Wings entered the break tied for second in the Atlantic Division and sitting comfortably ahead of several non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference.

Much of that excitement starts with Lucas Raymond. The 23-year-old is leading Detroit in scoring with 60 points through 56 games, pacing the team in assists and power-play production. Now serving as an alternate captain, Raymond’s consistency has been a driving force behind the Wings’ surge — and his strong Olympic showing for Sweden has only amplified his profile. As per the NHL’s PR account, Raymond joined a trio of Team Sweden Olympic medalists with his three-point performance on Saturday.

Beyond Raymond, the Red Wings have plenty of Olympic representation from Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider. Larkin and Raymond played in that 4 Nations Faceoff Tournament last year. That was huge for their big-game experience. As for Seider, his Olympic debut was a huge success. Jake Tye of The Hockey News writes:

“Seider’s presence was felt throughout the night as the 24-year-old blueliner logged a team-high 26:18 of ice time and was deployed in every situation. He quarterbacked Germany’s top power play unit, saw regular even strength shifts, and was available for penalty killing duties, though Germany’s disciplined play meant he was not needed shorthanded.”