DETROIT RED WINGS

Last season: 41-32-9, missed playoffs for a franchise-record eighth straight season.

COACH: Derek Lalonde (76-69-19 in two seasons).

SEASON OPENING: October 10 vs. Pittsburgh.

DEPARTURES: C Robby Fabbri, D Shayne Gostisbehere, LW David Perron, G James Reimer, RW Daniel Sprong, D Jake Walman.

ADDITIONS: RW Vladimir Tarasenko, D Erik Gustafsson, G Cam Talbot, C Tyler Motte, RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.

GOALS: Talbot (27-20-6, 2.5 goals against average, .913 save percentage), Ville Husso (9-5-2, 3.55, .892).

BetMGM STANLEY CUP odds: 40-1.

What to expect

The Red Wings could finally break through and end the franchise’s longest playoff drought after losing a tiebreaker for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot last season. They bolstered an above-average offense by signing Tarasenko to a two-year, $9.5 million deal after he helped Florida win the Stanley Cup, and Patrick Kane to a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million. holding on to dollars. Captain Dylan Larkin has a chance to become Detroit’s first player to score more than 30 goals in four consecutive seasons since Hall of Famer Henrik Zetterberg from 2006-09.

Strengths and weaknesses

The Good: With an average of 3.35 goals and finishing ninth in the league last season, the team shows they can score enough goals to win. The Red Wings should be among the top 10 teams on the power play for the second year in a row. Detroit is deep front and back, giving Lalonde plenty of lineup options.

The not-so-good: Giving up 3.33 goals per game, a total more than seven NHL teams last year, negates the team’s ability to consistently win. With all due respect to Larkin and Kane, Detroit is missing a superstar that most competing teams have on their roster. Husso had a shortened season due to injury, which raised concerns about a franchise counting on him.

Players to watch

The Red Wings have made big investments in defenseman Moritz Seider ($60 million, seven years) and forward Lucas Raymond ($64.6 million, eight years) and desperately need both to become stars very soon become.

Husso’s health is a big key. When the Red Wings have him on the ice, he increases their chances of winning with a record of 34-13-7.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Associated Press