Episodes

  • Red Wings Winning Ugly, Top Line Questions, and the Next Test

    Red Wings Winning Ugly, Top Line Questions, and the Next Test
    Jan 8 2026

    The Red Wings are still winning — but the path hasn’t been clean.

    In this extended episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down a critical stretch that includes back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh, a controversial but important win over Ottawa, and what those games reveal about where Detroit actually stands.

    The Wings were thoroughly out-chanced against the Penguins at five-on-five, posting just a 38.4% expected-goals share. Against Ottawa, they flipped the script on the scoreboard — despite MoneyPuck giving them only a 27% chance to win — by capitalizing on mistakes, special teams, and timely goaltending.

    That contrast leads to the real question: not “is it sustainable?” — but how good teams find ways to survive when they don’t have their best game.

    We dig into:

    • Why Detroit’s underlying numbers vs. Pittsburgh are more concerning than the final scores • Todd McLellan’s blunt assessment of what went wrong — and what must improve • Why Ottawa was the perfect “response test” opponent • What winning ugly actually tells us about structure, goaltending, and maturity • Growing concerns around the top line of Larkin, Raymond, and Emmitt Finnie • Whether Finnie’s stamina is catching up and if it’s time for a new look • Marco Kasper’s role — and whether a reset in Grand Rapids makes sense • Andrew Copp’s December surge as Detroit’s unsung stabilizer • How Moritz Seider’s all-around impact continues to anchor this team • Trade deadline pressure and why Detroit should be part of impact conversations • Two potential fits if the Wings choose to be aggressive: Alex Tuch and Justin Faulk • Why Heated Rivalry matters for hockey culture — and why this conversation belongs in the sport right now
    Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

    JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

    Let’s have fun!

    Sponsored by Draft Kings!

    Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

    Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Seider Takes Over as Wings Sweep Caps, Lead the Atlantic

    Seider Takes Over as Wings Sweep Caps, Lead the Atlantic
    Dec 24 2025

    The Red Wings are rolling — and Moritz Seider is driving the bus.

    In this short pre-game episode before puck drop against the Stars, we break down Detroit’s back-to-back wins over the Washington Capitals, capped by Seider’s overtime game-winner and another dominant weekend from Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond.

    The Wings are now first in the Atlantic by points and points percentage, tied for third-most regulation wins in the Eastern Conference, and — most importantly — winning games the right way, not by sneaking into overtime.

    What’s fueling the surge? December has been Detroit’s “regression to the mean” month — in the best possible way.

    5-on-5 (Dec 1–23):

    • 10.44% shooting percentage
    • 92.47% save percentage
    • 1.029 PDO (top-tier puck luck and performance)
    All strengths (Dec 1–23):
    • 12.62% shooting percentage
    • 91.29% save percentage
    • 1.039 PDO
    Detroit still ranks bottom-10 in high-danger shooting percentage, but here’s the key shift:
    • 4th-best high-danger save percentage in the NHL
    • Best medium-danger shooting percentage in the league
    In other words: the Wings are finishing from dangerous mid-ice areas, protecting the slot better, and finally getting goaltending results that match their structure. We also dig into:
    • Why the Washington wins matter against one of the NHL’s elite defensive teams
    • Moritz Seider leading the entire NHL in Goals Above Replacement (GAR)
      • What GAR actually measures
      • Why it belongs in the Norris and Hart Trophy conversation
    • Andrew Copp’s resurgence since returning from core surgery and stabilizing the second line
    • DeBrincat and Raymond producing at a true point-per-game pace
    • A quick look at John Leonard’s hot start, what’s real, and what will cool off
    This episode is a snapshot of a Red Wings team playing structured hockey, stacking regulation wins, and getting elite value from its best player — right before the Stars come to town.

    Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

    JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

    Let’s have fun!

    Sponsored by Draft Kings!

    Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

    Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    44 mins
  • Should Red Wings Sack Up? | December analytics regression

    Should Red Wings Sack Up? | December analytics regression
    Dec 19 2025

    The Red Wings are back in first place in the Atlantic — but the path there hasn’t been clean.

    This week on Red Wings Rant, we break down a wildly successful West Coast road trip, including shutout wins in Vancouver and Chicago, a statement victory over the Islanders, and why the Utah Mammoth loss looks more like a fatigue-driven anomaly than a warning sign.

    December has quietly become Detroit’s regression-to-the-mean month, with top-tier PDO, shooting percentage, and goaltending metrics finally catching up to the underlying play. But the biggest conversation looms larger than any single game.

    Did the Red Wings miss a once-in-a-decade opportunity by not landing Quinn Hughes?

    Using reporting from Max Bultman, Sean Shapiro, Elliotte Friedman, and Pierre LeBrun, we dive into what the Hughes non-trade says about Steve Yzerman’s risk tolerance, the value of elite stars versus prospect depth, and whether Detroit is doing enough to capitalize on Dylan Larkin’s prime years.

    This is the most honest Red Wings conversation yet — the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable middle.

    Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

    JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

    Let’s have fun!

    Sponsored by Draft Kings!

    Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

    Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Red Wings: Norris Duo Loading? Hughes Rumors, Seider MVP

    Red Wings: Norris Duo Loading? Hughes Rumors, Seider MVP
    Dec 11 2025

    The Quinn Hughes smoke is turning into real fire.

    In this episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down Elliotte Friedman’s latest reporting that Detroit and Vancouver have talked — and that if the Canucks decide to move Hughes, the Red Wings are one of the few teams with the assets to get him.

    We also walk through Harman Dayal’s fascinating new piece in The Athletic, detailing why Detroit is uniquely positioned to extend Hughes long-term thanks to CBA timing, Michigan ties, and a massive financial advantage over all other suitors — especially New Jersey.

    Then we pivot to Moritz Seider, who isn’t just climbing the Norris rankings…
    According to Prashanth Iyer, Seider belongs in the early Hart Trophy conversation. We break down his elite impacts, wild GAR numbers, Detroit’s disastrous play without him, and why he may be the most valuable defenseman to his team in the league.

    Plus:

    • What last night’s win over Vancouver really means?
    • How should we fare the rest of the West Coast Trip?
    • How does Detroit stack up in the standings heading into its next stretch?
    • What is different about December vs November and October? And yes… We’ll talk about the dream scenario:
    A Seider–Hughes, Norris-caliber top pair in Detroit.

    Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

    JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

    Let’s have fun!

    Sponsored by Draft Kings!

    Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

    Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • The Numbers Don’t Lie: Why the Red Wings Are Winning… and Still a Mess

    The Numbers Don’t Lie: Why the Red Wings Are Winning… and Still a Mess
    Dec 4 2025

    Detroit just beat the Bruins — but the analytics still scream danger.
    Second-worst PDO. Fifth-worst save percentage. Second-worst shooting percentage. And a massive gap between expected goals and actual goals.

    Tonight we break down the advanced stats behind Detroit’s inconsistency, why 5-on-5 offense keeps stalling, how the defense collapses without Edvinsson, and what the team can fix on this road trip.

    We’ll also cover which trade targets make sense from Toronto, Nashville, Calgary, and Vancouver — and how Steve Yzerman should approach the market heading into the New Year.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Red Wings vs Devils Reaction: Detroit Fights Hard, But the Data Reveals a Bigger Issue

    Red Wings vs Devils Reaction: Detroit Fights Hard, But the Data Reveals a Bigger Issue
    Nov 27 2025

    The Detroit Red Wings lost 4–3 to the New Jersey Devils, but unlike so many of their blowout losses this season, this one showed real fight. Detroit heavily out-chanced the Devils at 5-on-5, dominated long stretches of play, and nearly tied the game with a frantic two-minute barrage in the final moments. This was one of those rare “good” losses — not something we celebrate often on Red Wings Rant — but the effort in periods two and three showed what this team can be when they lock in.

    Still, the problems are real. Early defensive mistakes continue to sink the Wings, with breakdowns in coverage, failed clears, and brutal giveaways repeatedly ending up in the back of the net. With Simon Edvinsson out, Detroit is forced to lean more heavily on a third pair that simply cannot keep up. And the analytics tell an even clearer story: the Wings have the 5th worst High-Danger Goals For%, league-worst Medium-Danger Goals For%, 3rd worst shooting percentage, 5th worst save percentage, and 2nd worst PDO at 5-on-5. Even at all strengths, Detroit is top-5 in expected goals but bottom-10 in both shooting and save percentage. A good team keeps beating itself.

    We also break down strong performances from Larkin, Raymond, Finnie, and Seider, the physical pushback the Wings showed late in the game, the awful non-call on Jonas Siegenthaler’s hit to Lucas Raymond’s head, and why this loss — strangely — gives us more confidence in Detroit’s long-term trajectory. Plus: Emmitt Finnie makes honorable mention in The Athletic’s Calder Trophy race.

    Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

    JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

    Let’s have fun!

    Sponsored by Draft Kings!

    Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

    Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    47 mins
  • Red Wings in First Place: Real Contenders or Just Hot for 20 Games?

    Red Wings in First Place: Real Contenders or Just Hot for 20 Games?
    Nov 20 2025
    The Red Wings reached the 20-game mark in first place in the Atlantic Division. But does the record match the reality? This week on Red Wings Rant, we break down: The Wings’ best shutdown third period of the season • Todd McLellan’s message on game management — and why it matters • How Detroit blew a 4–1 lead, then responded with back-to-back wins • Why the stars (Larkin, DeBrincat, Raymond, Seider) are carrying this team • The rookies bounce back: Danielson, Finnie, ASP • Cam Talbot taking the starting job by force • John Gibson’s struggles and what it means for the season • Whether Detroit’s early success is sustainable Plus: how the Wings compare across the NHL at the 20-game benchmark — and what comes next. Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home. JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS Let’s have fun! Sponsored by Draft Kings! Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up! Red Wings Rant — Episode Narrative (Nov 19) “20 Games In: First Place… and Still Flawed?” The Detroit Red Wings reached the 20-game mark in first place in the Atlantic Division — a sentence that would’ve sounded insane seven days ago, when this team was stuck in the mud, blowing leads, and wrestling with its identity. And the wildest part? Both versions of the Red Wings — the playoff version, and the meltdown version — showed up this week. Last Week: A Test of Consistency We said: If the Wings could take advantage of a soft stretch — Ducks, Sabres, Rangers, Kraken — they could claw back into a strong position. One week later? They did exactly that. They handled Anaheim, threw away a 4–1 lead vs Buffalo but still got a point, gutted out a win at MSG, and closed out the Kraken with a mature, structured third period — something they haven’t done most of the season. That’s growth. That’s progress. But the path to get here still tells us a lot about the team. Game Management: The New Buzzword That Actually Matters Todd McLellan has hammered this theme all year: “Until this group figures out what’s important at certain times, we’re going to have those nights.” Against Buffalo? Total collapse. Against New York and Seattle? Finally, the shutdown hockey he’s been begging for. The Seattle third period wasn’t flashy — five shots allowed, perfect breakouts, clean faceoffs, pucks deep, smart changes. It was the most professional 20 minutes this team has played this season. This is what real playoff teams do. But the challenge now is: Can it be repeated? Stars Are Driving the Bus Larkin, DeBrincat, and Raymond are all pacing career-level seasons: Larkin: 600 points + scoring at a star levelCat: Tenacious, complete, and reliable no matter the lineRaymond: Finally looking healthy — nine points in his last four And Moritz Seider is quietly playing elite two-way hockey despite a few headline-grabbing mistakes. The Rookies: High Impact, High Volatility The 2023 class stole the show early, then went quiet… …and came roaring back against Seattle: Danielson’s first NHL goalNearly another (called back)Finnie’s power-play goal after Danielson set him upASP steadying after a rough stretch These three have brought energy AND mistakes — but the energy has clearly returned to the lineup. Goaltending: The Split Is Clear Cam Talbot: +1 GSAX, making the saves Detroit needs Steady, calm, veteran presence John Gibson: 11th-worst GSAX, sub-.875 save percentage High-danger rebounds, bad-angle goals, and collapsing confidence around him Detroit’s Jekyll-and-Hyde identity? It’s not just game management. It’s also which goalie is in the net. 20-Game Snapshot: The Good and The Questions What’s working: Stars producingPK massively improvedRookies making real contributionsDefensive improvements in structureThird-period closure vs SeattleIn playoff position despite flaws1st place in the division at the quarter-mark What still needs answers: Will this team ever find consistent scoring from the middle six?Can Gibson turn it around?Can they avoid the rookie wall?Will they protect leads consistently?Can they replicate the Seattle third period against real contenders? This is a good team. It might even be a playoff team. But the story for the next 62 games is simple: Are the Red Wings learning how to win? Or surviving despite themselves? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    48 mins
  • Red Wings Are a Top-10 Win Percentage Team | Why Do They Keep Falling Apart?

    Red Wings Are a Top-10 Win Percentage Team | Why Do They Keep Falling Apart?
    Nov 14 2025

    The Red Wings are one of the strangest teams in the NHL right now.
    By straight win percentage, Detroit ranks like a top-10 team. But watch the games — or just check the box scores — and you see a team that either plays fast, structured, playoff-caliber hockey … or completely falls apart for long stretches.

    In this episode, we break down why the Wings keep swinging between dominant and disastrous, including:

    Why their win percentage paints a WAY better picture than their actual record The standings favor loser points — we don’t. When you sort the NHL by actual wins per game, Detroit sits in the top third of the league. The goaltending problem that’s draining winnable games John Gibson allows 4 goals on 1.86 expected against Chicago. Talbot and Gibson rank bottom-10 in Goals Saved Above Expected. Detroit has the 6th-worst team save percentage. This team isn’t getting average goaltending — and it’s costing them points. Why the Red Wings get tons of possession but no scoring Detroit is top-10 in:
    • Corsi For %
    • Fenwick For %
    But near the bottom in:
    • High-danger chances created
    • High-danger shooting percentage
    They generate quantity, not quality — a huge problem for a team missing finishers outside of Larkin and DeBrincat. What’s wrong with the top six?
    • Emmitt Finnie may be skating hard, but is there enough skill next to Larkin and Kane?
    • Raymond is still recovering.
    • Kasper looks like a passenger, not a driver.
    • Patrick Kane is back, but still not at full speed — and the power play looks lost without his timing.
    Why this might be mental, not just talent Todd McLellan has already said it: Detroit still struggles with game management, consistency, and responding to adversity. They look great when they’re “on”… …and downright broken when they’re “off.”

    Red Wings Rant: Where tirades and impassioned pleas about your Detroit Red Wings finally have a home.

    JOIN THE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/rd2RUDkzuS

    Let’s have fun!

    Sponsored by Draft Kings!

    Find us on your favorite Podcast App by clicking here: https://link.chtbl.com/redwingsrant

    Episode sponsored by Draft Kings. Use promo code 'THPN' to unlock exclusive offers when you sign up!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins