Red Wings March 2026 Games Thread

[lordstanley]

For reference, when Yzerman took over in 2019 the Wings had just completed a 74 pt season. Buffalo had 76 points that season, Ottawa had 64. In 2021, in a strike-shortened season, the Wings had 11 more points than Buffalo. In 2022, the Wings had 19 more points than Montreal. In 2023, the Wings had 12 points more than Montreal, 21 points more than Columbus, and 22 more points than Anaheim. In 2024, the Wings had 13 more points than Ottawa, 15 points more than Columbus, 4 points more than Minnesota, and 32 more points than Anaheim. In 1995, Detroit had 7 more points than Buffalo, 10 points more than Boston, and 6 points more than Pittsburgh. The Wings' rock bottom wasn't unprecedented in length or depth. All those teams have caught or passed the Wings this season. 

[Jason_R]

Starting in 2015 Buffalo picked 2, 8, 8, 1, 7, 8, 1, 9, 13, 14, 9.  They should be good after that run. Montreal has a 1 and two 5s over the past four drafts. I wouldn’t say Ottawa is a model franchise. They are just a tick above Detroit. 

But if Holland had not absolutely mangled the draft for years the Wings would be in the playoffs. 

[1984Echoes]

It was a very bad mangle.