The Detroit Red Wings’ blue line could see some major changes this upcoming season as several defensemen could be on the bubble during the summer.
The Detroit Red Wings’ 2024–25 season came to an early and disappointing end, continuing their playoff drought that stretches back to 2017. Despite entering the season with high expectations and a roster seen by many analysts as capable of contending for a postseason spot, the Red Wings failed to live up to the hype.
A poor start to the season led to a mid-year coaching change in December, but the shift behind the bench didn’t yield the turnaround fans had hoped for. Detroit remained on the fringes of the Eastern Conference playoff picture as the second half of the season wore on, unable to gain consistent traction in the standings.
A major weakness for the team was its defensive unit. While standout defenseman Moritz Seider and veteran Ben Chiarot shouldered a significant burden, the rest of the blue line group struggled to deliver consistent, high-level play. Defensive breakdowns and lack of depth became glaring issues as the season progressed.
Injuries and underperformance among the supporting defensemen left Detroit vulnerable in their own zone, frequently leaving their goaltenders exposed and contributing to their poor goal differential. These shortcomings played a critical role in the team’s inability to close out key games and secure valuable points down the stretch.
With the offseason underway, the Red Wings’ front office faces major decisions—particularly in shoring up their defense and ensuring their next coaching hire can spark real progress. The pressure is mounting to break the rebuild cycle and return to playoff relevance after nearly a decade of frustration.
Jeff Petry
Jeff Petry struggled during the 2024-25 season, appearing in just 44 games and recording only one goal and eight points. This marks a steep decline from his career-best performance in 2018-19 with the Montreal Canadiens, when he tallied 13 goals and 46 points.
Even in the prior season, Petry managed 24 points over 73 games. However, inconsistency and the effects of aging have prevented the 37-year-old from maintaining his former top-four defenseman status.
Now set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, it seems unlikely that Petry will return to Detroit. While a return isn’t entirely off the table, it would definitely not be at his current $6.25 million cap hit. The Red Wings’ interest and budget for re-signing him remain uncertain, but he’d likely have to settle for a one- or two-year deal in the $1 to $2 million range annually.
Erik Gustafsson
The Red Wings signed Erik Gustafsson as a veteran presence to strengthen their blue line and mentor younger defensemen like Albert Johansson and Simon Edvinsson. But with those prospects stepping up, Gustafsson has become more of a depth option.
In 60 games this season, the Swedish defenseman posted two goals and 18 points, along with a minus-19 rating — a concerning stat even for a team that missed the playoffs.
Gustafsson has one year remaining on his $2 million contract, but he’ll likely be competing for a sixth or seventh defenseman role. It’s hard to see him earning much more ice time than that.
Still, if injuries crop up during training camp, Detroit could find a team in need of veteran depth on defense, opening the door for a potential trade.
Justin Holl
Justin Holl began the season in the AHL, but injuries on the Red Wings’ blue line gave him an early opportunity to rejoin the NHL roster. He stuck around for the rest of the season, appearing in 73 games and tallying just eight points.
Throughout the year, Holl bounced around the depth chart but mostly occupied a role on the bottom defensive pairing — a situation that highlights a key issue.
Holl is under contract for one more season with a $3.4 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause. That’s a steep price for a depth defenseman, making it challenging for Detroit to move him. Still, the Red Wings may explore trade options, possibly retaining up to half of his salary to make a deal happen.
