3 questions facing Detroit Red Wings

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the Detroit Red Wings.

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1. Will they make the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

The Red Wings have not qualified for the playoffs for seven straight seasons, their longest drought since 1970-77. In their 97 seasons in the NHL, they've never had an eight-season playoff drought.

It's going to be tough to make the playoffs this season, even though they have made several additions: forwards Alex DeBrincat, J.T. Compher, Daniel Sprong, Klim Kostin and Christian Fischer; defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Justin Holl; and goalie James Reimer.

Detroit finished 12 points out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference last season. The Atlantic Division looks extremely competitive.

Asked about competing for a playoff spot, general manager Steve Yzerman said, "Well, I would say, I think we're a better team today with Alex DeBrincat in the lineup. I hope all the changes we've made, additions we've made to the roster, make us a more competitive team."

2. Will DeBrincat score 40 goals again?

Detroit finished 24th in goals (237) last season and hasn't had a 40-goal scorer since Marian Hossa in 2008-09. DeBrincat, the centerpiece of an effort to improve the offense, scored 27 goals last season for the Ottawa Senators and reached 41 twice for the Chicago Blackhawks, in 2018-19 and 2021-22.

DeBrincat played with an elite setup man, Patrick Kane, in Chicago. He won't have anyone quite like that in Detroit. But he could play on the top line with left wing Lucas Raymond and center Dylan Larkin, and he could camp out in his usual spot on the left hash marks on the first power-play unit.

"I'm definitely confident in my abilities," DeBrincat said. "I think this team's a good fit for me, and obviously hopefully we can get back in the playoffs. Obviously that's everyone's goal, and hopefully it's sooner than later, and we've just got to keep growing as a team and I think just put in the work to get back there."

3. Is the goaltending good enough?

The Red Wings ranked 22nd in goals against (3.35 per game) last season. They allowed the 11th fewest shots against (30.4 per game) but were tied for 23rd in save percentage (.890).

Ville Husso was inconsistent and finished with a 26-22-7 with a 3.11 goals-against average, .896 save percentage and four shutouts. His backups struggled. Alex Nedeljkovic went 5-7-2 with a 3.53 GAA and .895 save percentage. Magnus Hellberg went 4-8-1 with a 3.29 GAA and .885 save percentage.

Husso will return this season with a new partner, James Reimer, a 35-year-old veteran who went 12-21-8 with a 3.48 goals-against average and .890 save percentage for the San Jose Sharks last season.

"Seems like a great guy," Reimer said of Husso. "Looking forward to pushing each other and trying to give this team the best puck-stopping as possible."