Detroit Red Wings

 

Division Projected Order of Finish - 7th

 

Current Lineup Score... 67.1

Division Rank 7th

 

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 12.1

Division Rank 3rd

 

Quality Draft Capital... 12.0

Division Rank 2nd (tied)

 

We just squeaked into the playoffs last season with a very hot run down the stretch.  Our goal of crossing over into the hapless Metro did not materialize, and Gregory knocked us out of the playoffs in a spirited 7 game battle.  We outscored Boston over the series, but couldn't win the close games when it mattered.  Which was the theme of our regular season, also.  Our Wings featured one of the highest DF teams to ever take the ice in the BRHL, which won us lots of games, but our PP and scoring from the back end ultimately let us down.   This season, the retool is on.  Other than Zach Hyman, the forward group is in shambles.  Our goaltending is virtually non-existent.  Look for it to be a long season in Detroit as they nurture the new youth movement.  Catton, Iginla, Leonard, Ritchie, Dickinson, etc have oodles of potential, but are all a couple seasons away.  Outside of maybe Vardy's catastrophe of a roster, Detroit will be in the basement all season long.

 

Biggest Strength: Young forward core

 

 

Montreal Canadiens

 

Division Projected Order of Finish - 8th

 

Current Lineup Score... 64.5

Division Rank 8th

 

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 21.3

Division Rank 1st

 

Quality Draft Capital... 12.0

Division Rank 2nd (tied)

 

Vardy may not have shown up to the draft on time, but boy, has he shown up to tear down his team recently.  He obviously is a Matthew Schaefer fan, as he shows no sign of compete for 2025-26.  As of now, a guy by the name of Mitch McLain is set to earn a top 6 role with the team, and Jordan Harris is his only remotely pro-calibre D-man.  Steve has an insane amount of cap space and is usually active during UFA, so his team may look quite different in a few weeks.  No matter what he does, though, this is a team with zero chance at making the playoffs.  He's a couple years away at the minimum, as prospects like Artamonov, Silayev, Gajan, etc need seasoning.  Vardy has plenty of quality draft capital over the next two seasons, so it's time for him and his scouts to get to work!

 

Biggest Strength: Cap space and high draft picks