Detroit Red Wings fantasy projections for 2026-27

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff ranks the top five Detroit Red Wings players for standard leagues and provides skater points and goalie wins projections for the 2026-27 season.

1. Alex DeBrincat, F

NHL.com fantasy rank: 48

DeBrincat tied his NHL career high with 41 goals (tied for 11th in NHL) last season, the third time he’s reached that total (also in 2018-19, 2021-22). DeBrincat led Detroit with a career-high 85 points last season and also had a career-best 44 assists. He was one of five NHL players last season with at least 40 goals, 80 points and 280 shots on goal (287); the others were Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini and Jason Robertson. DeBrincat’s frequent linemate Patrick Kane left the Red Wings to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks, but DeBrincat has proven to be a consistent stand-alone fantasy option through the years and is worth prioritizing in the first four rounds of standard redraft leagues.

NHL.com point projection: 79

2. Moritz Seider, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 52

Seider had NHL career highs in goals (10), assists (50), points (60) and power-play points (28) last season. The 25-year-old is the only defenseman in the NHL to have at least 140 points (148), 500 hits (551) and 500 blocked shots (573) during the past three seasons combined (dating to 2023-24). Seider ranks fifth among defensemen in the fantasy keeper rankings and is one of two Detroit defensemen 25 or younger in the top 100 of that list (other: Simon Edvinsson). Seider is a fringe top 10 fantasy defenseman in redraft leagues and one of the best category coverage targets in the NHL.

NHL.com point projection: 65

3. Dylan Larkin, F

NHL.com fantasy rank: 67

Larkin requested a trade after last season, which became public knowledge June 4, but remains on Detroit’s roster. He’s coming off an NHL career high in goals (34; second on team) and had his fifth straight season with at least 30 goals, fifth straight season with at least 210 shots on goal (229) and fourth straight season with at least 24 power-play points. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Larkin is tied for fifth in the NHL in power-play goals (57). Even with the uncertainty of Larkin’s situation, he’s a potential fantasy draft bargain who should be attainable in the middle rounds of most drafts.

NHL.com point projection: 78

4. Lucas Raymond, F

NHL.com fantasy rank: 76

Over the past three seasons combined, Raymond has the second-most points (228 in 244 games) among players who are age 24 or younger, behind Tim Stutzle (232 in 237 games). During that same span (since the start of the 2023-24), Raymond leads the Red Wings in assists (145), points, multipoint games (65) and power-play points (80). Raymond, who played mostly on the top line with Larkin last season, is among the top 25 in NHL.com’s fantasy keeper and dynasty league rankings, which are the best 25-and-younger options for long-term formats.

NHL.com point projection: 77

5. John Gibson, G

NHL.com fantasy rank: 205

Even though the Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 10th straight season, Gibson stayed healthy and was a consistent fantasy option in his first season with Detroit; he played his most games in a season (57) since 2018-19 (58 with Anaheim Ducks) and ranked 10th in quality starts (27; starts with greater than .900 save percentage). Gibson, 33, was 29-22-4 last season, finishing tied for ninth among goalies in wins and tied for third in shutouts (four). Although Gibson’s fantasy appeal could be impacted by a Larkin trade, he’s another potential fantasy draft bargain from Detroit and likely will be attainable in the final rounds of drafts or off the waiver wire.

NHL.com win projection: 26

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Other DET players on preseason draft lists:

Deep sleepers: Viktor Arvidsson, F (point projection: 42); Daniil Tarasov, G (win projection: 14)

Potential draft bargain: Justin Faulk, D (point projection: 38)

Breakout candidates: Emmitt Finnie, F (point projection: 41); Simon Edvinsson, D (point projection: 32)

Category coverage players: Marco Kasper, F (point projection: 45); Andrew Copp, F (point projection: 40)

Players to watch in keeper/dynasty leagues: Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D; Trey Augustine, G