The Detroit Red Wings Are Brutally Underrated

Although Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat have gotten a lot of attention this season, Lucas Raymond has been the unsung hero in Detroit. The Sweden native has tallied 45 points this season and is a huge reason why the Red Wings are in the hunt for the Atlantic Division crown. Raymond’s 45 points and 33 assists led the team through the first half of the season, a great sign of things to come from the 23-year-old. 

In addition to playing well for Detroit, Raymond was recently named to Team Sweden for the upcoming 2026 Olympics. The nod was well deserved, as the five-year NHL veteran leads all Swedish players in points and assists. His play will be a key factor for Sweden’s success in the tournament, and the experience he’ll get from the Games will no doubt help further his NHL career. 

Overall, the Red Wings aren’t in this position if not for Raymond. Given that he has plenty of years in the league ahead of him, Detroit has a superstar on their hands that is waiting to be recognized on a regular basis.

Dylan Larkin Leading The Team With Olympics On The Horizon

The Red Wings captain has been the face of the club since being drafted 15th overall in 2014, and he’s still one of the best players on the team today. Larkin’s 22 goals in 44 games this season tie for the team lead, and the veteran has scored in some highly contested games for Detroit. 

His leadership is part of what makes him so important to a team searching for an identity, given the youth movement taking place, a role he’s taken in stride. Larkin will be in the captain’s conversation for the United States when the Olympics kick off, and the country will be in good shape if he’s at the helm. Given his experience with leading Detroit for the last few years, I’d be surprised if he isn’t the top candidate for the job when it’s announced. 

Alex DeBrincat Finding Groove In Third Season With The Red Wings

One of the biggest surprises of the season for Detroit has been the play of DeBrincat, a nine-year veteran in his third year with the club. The right-winger has been the team’s top goal-scorer through 44 games in 2025-26 with 22. 10 of those tallies have come from the man-advantage, which also stands as the highest mark for the Red Wings. The veteran’s presence has been felt in more ways than one, especially with his career finding a different gear this season. 

DeBrincat’s game has become more well-rounded in the past year or so, an asset that has been on full display for Detroit. Despite not being named to Team USA alongside captain Dylan Larkin, DeBrincat’s 42 points in 2025-26 rank sixth among American skaters. While it’s no doubt a disappointing result for the Michigan native, he seems to be a man on a mission. With the Red Wings looking to keep pace in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, DeBrincat has proven himself as a key asset in their success.

End Of My Red Wings Rant

The Eastern Conference is nothing short of a bloodbath this season, but the Red Wings are holding their own as they sit atop the Atlantic Division entering play Tuesday. The club’s success can be attributed largely to the play of their superstars, all of whom seem to be contributing on different levels. 

A cohesive unit is oftentimes a successful one in hockey, and Detroit seems to have found itself in a position to make a run for the Cup. There’s a lot of hockey left to play, but with how well the club has performed this season, they could be legitimate contenders down the stretch. It would be foolish of anyone to count them out, and it seems like they know exactly what they have to do to be successful in the long run.