NHL analyst reveals biggest Red Wings need

The Detroit Red Wings just barely missed out on ending their postseason streak this year, which now stands at eight full seasons without playing for the Stanley Cup. And while the 2023-24 edition of the Red Wings was arguably the deepest squad that they've iced since the days of their postseason streak, it proved to be not enough to get them over the hump.

While the Red Wings had 13 players that reached double-digits in goals scored, their defensive miscues proved to be costly in the long run. This offseason will be a critical one for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, who not only needs to get both Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider signed to new deals, but also weigh the benefit of re-signing several veterans on the roster as opposed to promoting the young talent within the system.

And according to NHL analyst Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff in a conversation with Tyler Yaremchuk, the Red Wings are in need of more depth if they want to return to the postseason - especially on the blue line. 

Yaremchuk: "The Red Wings are an interesting group heading into the summer, as they only have six forwards under contract for next season, as both Lucas Raymond and Mo Seider are RFAs, so a couple of big contracts to tackle for General Manager Steve Yzerman."

Seravalli: "Huuuuge!"

Yaremchuk: "It’ll be interesting to see if they go with a bridge deal or a long-term contract." 

Seravalli: "I think you have to go long term, try and buy as many years as you can." 

Yaremchuk: "Outside of that, they’re desperately trying to get into the playoffs. When you look at what Yzerman needs, I think they need a good top-six forward, and they probably need a really good top-two defender." 

Seravalli: "They tried that with Kane last year, but I think it’s all about their defense. Simon Edvinsson is coming, all the scouting reports I’ve received have said they’ve been impressed with what they’ve seen." 

But to me, they need more depth. They have Seider, they have Edvinsson, but they need at least three really good defensemen to get you into the playoffs. They got a lot of work to do."

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