A change in leadership, an unhappy core player have dominated the Detroit Red Wings' offseason, overshadowing the other storylines that will present themselves as 2026-27 NHL training camp begins.
There's more at stake than newly minted interim general manager Shawn Horcoff sorting out the mess that has developed since last season ended with the ignominy of missing the playoffs for an NHL active record 10th straight spring, shortly after which captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade. That has, among other things, led to the Wings going into the 2026-27 season without a captain, having stripped Larkin of the title last week.
This year's camp marks a change from a nearly three-decade tradition of staging camp in Traverse City, as the Wings will be
on the ice Thursday through Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.
Here are four pertinent things to know.
1. What's different?
With the NHL schedule expanded to 84 games, the exhibition slate is down to four games – which means less opportunity for hopefuls to claim a job, as established NHLers will need to get their timing honed and see more time on the ice.
The Wings play on the road Monday, Sept. 21, at the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Pittsburgh Penguins, then host the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 24 and the Blue Jackets on Sept. 26.
The Wings will have 49 players at camp, with 28 forwards, 16 defensemen and five goaltenders split into two squads (Howe and Delvecchio). There will be daily practices and intra-squad competition.
2. Line combinations
Larkin will miss the start of camp while rehabbing an upper-body injury sustained while training, the Wings said Wednesday. That leaves an opening on the top line center spot, next to Lucas Raymond.
But there's also the question of who will be on the other wing? Emmitt Finnie ended up in that role last season, but may be more effective providing speed and energy on the third line. There's also a question of who centers the second line – Andrew Copp, probably, although Marco Kasper might audition, too – next to Alex DeBrincat – and, with Patrick Kane departed for the Chicago Blackhawks, who will be on the right wing? That's where free agent signee Viktor Arvidsson is likely to get the early looks.
Can Nate Danielson make the team? He had a spot in hand a year ago until being derailed by a wrist injury. Being a center short will give Danielson, the No. 9 overall pick in 2023 who turns 22 on Sept. 27, a chance to cement his case.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is expected to make a strong push after making the team last year, only to be sent down after struggling when games counted.
Keegan Kolesar, another newcomer up front, projects to add grit on the fourth line. Among the regulars, there's J.T. Compher, Michael Rasmussen and Mason Appleton. Carter Mazur is also expected to push for minutes.
3. Defense pairings
Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot, and Justin Faulk are shoo-ins among the top four, as is Simon Edvinsson, who needs a new contract. Albert Johansson has done a solid job as a third-pairing guy/penalty killer. Axel Sandin-Pellikka appeared in 68 games (21 points, minus-20 rating) with the Wings in his rookie season, and will need to show he has grown the defensive side of his game. Jacob Bernard-Docker (five points in 63 games last season) is back. Newcomer Jacob Bryson likely will end up in the minors.
The Wings need to make a decision on William Wallinder (No. 32 overall, 2020 draft) because entering this season, the 24-year-old defenseman is no longer exempt from NHL waiver rules. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Swede had a career-high 20 points and plus-21 rating in 66 games in 2025-26 with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He has yet to see NHL action.
Anton Johansson (No. 105, 2022 draft) is a puck-moving D-man who has shown signs he may be ready to join the big club.
4. Tending the net
John Gibson is back for a second season, the final year on a contract with a $6.4 million annual average value. From Thanksgiving through the Olympic break, he delivered an 18-6-1 record, .919 save percentage and 2.23 goals-against average, playing a huge role in the Wings being at or near the top of their division and conference.
Daniil Tarasov (27 years old, 98 games of NHL experience, holding a 3.30 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage) was signed via free agency for one year at $2 million to serve as backup, replacing veteran Cam Talbot.
Usually the top two goalies get a game and a half during preseason – at least that was the case when the Wings had eight games. Michal Postava, a free-agent signing from 2025 who emerged as the starter for the Griffins, is in the mix to make a case, as well as goaltender of the future, Trey Augustine, who had a good showing in the prospects tournament last weekend.
Contact Helene St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Red Wings have questions all over roster – we finally get a glimpse
