5 Detroit Red Wings players and personnel detrimental to retool roster after another playoff miss ft. Steve Yzerman

The Detroit Red Wings ended the 2024-25 season following a roller coaster ride of a year. The team entered with expectations of taking the next step and contending for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

But before the third month of the season was done, the club had a new coach as it struggled to climb out of the Atlantic Division cellar.

While Todd McLellan did his best to turn things around, it wasn’t enough to get the Red Wings back into playoff contention. As the club looks to contend in 2025-26, five team members stand in the way as obstacles to the club’s retool.

#5 Justin Holl/Ben Chiarot

Justin Holl's contract could be a major issue this season - Source: Imagn

The Detroit Red Wings have one of the most talented young defensemen in the league in Moritz Seider. The team also has a solid pipeline of blue line prospects with Albert Johansson cracking the big club and up-and-coming names like William Wallinder and Axel Sandin Pellikka.

But beyond them, veterans like Justin Holl and Ben Chiarto weigh the team down. Between Holl and Chiarot’s contracts, the Red Wings have $8.15 million tied in cap space.

That situation limits what the Wings can do to sign serviceable free agents to bolster the back end this summer. Plus, their modified no-trade clauses will make it difficult to move Holl or Chiarot at the deadline, if there are takers.

The good news is that both are UFAs after next season.

#4 The goaltending core

The Detroit Red Wings have two goalies under contract for next season. Petr Mrazek and Cam Talbot, while decent veteran netminders are not the top-line goalies a team like the Red Wings needs to thrive in a competitive Atlantic Division.

Alex Lyon, this season’s backup, is a UFA and needs a contract. The problem is that if the Wings wanted to bring in another goaltender, they would have to figure out what to do with one of Talbot or Mrazek. So, it seems the Red Wings are stuck with this tandem for next season.

Like Holl and Chiarot, Mrazek and Talbot are on the books for one more season.

#3 J.T. Compher

Compher's production continues to decline following a career high - Source: Imagn

When the Detroit Red Wings brought J.T. Compher in during the summer of 2023, they were hoping to get the consummate playoff performer that helped the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup in 2022.

In his first season in Detroit, Compher put up a career-high with 19 goals. But this season, however, Compher has regressed to his career averages, scoring 11 goals and putting up 34 points.

That’s the second year in a row that Compher’s numbers have declined after posting a high of 52 in 2022-23. With a $5.1 million cap hit on the books till 2028, Compher’s declining production could eventually become a stumbling block for the Red Wings as they look to sign free agents who could help the team make it back to the postseason.

#2 Todd McLellan

Todd McLellan is an old-school coach who’s had success in the past. Unfortunately, that success does not include a Stanley Cup. Nevertheless, he was successful at turning a team that was clearly not performing under Derek Lalonde.

The problem was that the new coach bump didn’t last very long as the Red Wings faded down the stretch.

A full training camp and season could solve that issue in this upcoming campaign. But if it doesn’t, the Red Wings management group could face questions about hiring McLellan instead of bringing in a coach with Stanley Cup experience.

#1 Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman's performance as Detroit Red Wings' GM has been called into question - Source: Imagn

Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has faced scrutiny for his so-called “Yzerplan.” His efforts to rebuild the Red Wings into a playoff contender have failed to yield results.

Yzerman is a proven winner as he was the architect behind the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup runs. But that success has not carried over to Detroit.

So, the big question is how much longer the Detroit Red Wings organization will wait for results before moving on from Yzerman. While there’s no indication the organization is prepared to do that, the team must take the next step this season.

If the Red Wings have another disappointing season, yet another shakeup may be on the horizon in the team’s front office.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan