Detroit’s 2025-26 plan centers on Gibson in net and veteran depth with van Riemsdyk, Appleton, and Hamonic, but scoring depth remains thin and goaltending unsettled. Bold chatter has the Wings potentially trading an important piece at the deadline and possibly finishing bottom-10, testing Yzerman’s rebuild as Lucas Raymond eyes a 100-point ceiling. Seider and Edvinsson anchor the blue line, while Raymond, Van Riemsdyk, and Appleton must lift the offense and PP usage to keep playoff hopes alive.

Gibson’s arrival changes the goaltending narrative, but the roster-wide gaps—especially on the right side and in depth scoring—keep fantasy upside murky. If Detroit succumbs to pressure and lottery luck tilts away, the draft class and depth moves will define the rebuild’s pace more than immediate wins. The Wings’ path blends risk with upside as youth meets veteran steadiness.

NHL and NHLPA’s Milan stop launches a first-of-its-kind cross-sport activation with Serie A clubs Inter and Milan, spotlighting a shared global fan pulse for hockey and soccer. In a week of events in Milan, 26 NHL stars will mingle with European soccer icons, with a focus on Olympic visibility ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. Seven players named to preliminary Olympic rosters—Aho, Heiskanen, Seider, Raymond, Hischier, Nylander, and Zibanejad—anchor the roster as Inter hosts a training session and Milan’s opener vs Cremonese. The journey includes jersey exchanges with Serie A legends and a broadcaster summit to amplify cross-border storytelling.

The alliance aims to translate on-field star power into digital and live experiences for fantasy audiences and global fans, leveraging both leagues’ brands and broadcast ecosystems. A historic jersey swap at MSG from a March 2025 moment between Mika Zibanejad and Pirlo/Materazzi underscored the ambition to fuse hockey and soccer narratives. As Milan pivots toward 2025–26, the collaboration is framed as a blueprint for cross-sport engagement, talent mobility, and a broader, more immersive fan experience that transcends traditional league boundaries.

The Detroit Red Wings are gearing up for the 2025 NHL Draft with the 13th overall pick, continuing to build upon a strong prospect pool ranked fifth in the league. Recent drafts have been fruitful for the team, producing talents like Lucas Raymond, Marco Kasper, and Simon Edvinsson. The focus now shifts to a new crop of prospects, including standout players like Axel Sandin Pellikka, noted for his offensive prowess, and Nate Danielson, a promising forward from the Griffins.

In addition, goaltender Sebastian Cossa is looking to cement his place in the NHL after a brief debut, while Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, the first Norwegian first-rounder, is making waves in Sweden. Other notable prospects include Dmitri Buchelnikov, a skilled Russian forward, and Trey Augustine, a college goalie expected to shine in the coming seasons. The Red Wings are poised to make a significant impact in the draft and beyond.

Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond has been named as one of the first six players on Sweden's preliminary roster for the 2026 Olympic Games. Joining him are notable teammates such as Gabriel Landeskog and Victor Hedman. Raymond, drafted fourth overall in 2020, has quickly become a vital player for the Red Wings, posting impressive statistics including 80 points in the 2024-25 season. He has also showcased his international prowess, helping Sweden secure a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships.

This marks the first time since 2014 that NHL players will be participating in the Olympics, as previous Games saw the league withdraw due to various disputes and pandemic-related issues. The 2026 Olympics are set to take place in Italy, a nostalgic venue for Swedish hockey fans, as it hosts the site of their last gold medal victory in 2006. With Raymond's skill and experience, Sweden's chances look promising for the upcoming tournament.