Todd McLellan’s blunt season-ending criticism highlights crucial off-season for Red Wings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Red Wings closed out a disappointing season on a sour note, and coach Todd McLellan made sure his frustration was heard.
Following a lopsided 8-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in the season finale, McLellan openly criticized his roster while pointing to the stark contrast between the two teams.
“I’ll tell you that both teams came in with nothing on the line, and you can see their championship pedigree, so I’m going to compliment the Panthers,” McLellan said post-game. “It runs throughout the organization. They came to play, and it meant something to them.”
The defeat capped off a troubling collapse for Detroit after collecting 69 points through their first 53 games; the Red Wings failed to qualify for the playoffs. They became the first team to do so since the Montreal Canadiens during the 1969-1970 season. The skid extended Detroit’s post-season drought to 10 years, now the longest in the league, after the Buffalo Sabres snapped their lengthy drought with an Atlantic Division crown.
With pressure mounting from an increasingly impatient fan base, the organization now turns to what is shaping up to be a pivotal off-season. Several veteran players could be on their way out, including David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, and Travis Hamonic, all of whom are pending unrestricted free agents and not expected to return.
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More pressing, however, are key contract decisions regarding defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who is set to become a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old showed promise but saw his production dip to 25 points in 72 games due to injuries after posting 31 points the previous season. Detroit is expected to prioritize a long-term deal for the six-foot-six Swedish blueliner.
Another major question surrounds the 37-year-old Patrick Kane, who posted a solid campaign with 16 goals, 41 assists, and 57 points in 67 games. His 0.85 points-per-game average ranked fourth on the team and put him ahead of players such as Morgan Geekie of the Boston Bruins, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, and Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Detroit’s lineup will look different due to an influx of young talent as well next season, with top prospect Sebastian Cossa expected to make the jump and serve as backup to John Gibson. At the same time, players like Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Carter Mazur could push for full-time roles.
MORE: "We All Should Be": Todd McLellan Pulls No Punches After Lopsided Loss In Season Finale
Armed with a deep prospect pool, the Red Wings may also explore the trade market or free agency to accelerate their rebuild. Potential targets could include forwards like Bobby McMann and big-ticket defensive options like Rasmus Andersson or Darren Raddysh.
With expectations rising and patience wearing thin, McLellan’s blunt assessment signals that significant changes could be on the horizon. For Detroit, this summer may prove to be the most important in shaping the franchise’s future path.
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