The Olympic break is over. The NHL trade freeze is lifted. And the Detroit Red Wings are back to work.

In this episode of Red Wings Rant, we reset the table on everything:

• The latest trade rumors involving Elias Pettersson, Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Justin Faulk • Why Detroit still desperately needs top-six scoring and legitimate defensive help • How bad the 5-on-5 offense really is — and whether Steve Yzerman has to act

February 26 – at Ottawa Senators
February 28 – at Carolina Hurricanes

Why starting with a win matters.
Why Simon Edvinsson’s return is massive.
Why Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond benefiting from rest could swing momentum.

And of course — Dylan Larkin.

Larkin returns a gold medalist after Team USA’s first Olympic gold in 46 years. We break down:

• How USA beat Canada in overtime • The goaltending dominance of Connor Hellebuyck • The 3-on-3 OT shift that exposed McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar • Why this was the deepest and most talented Team USA roster ever assembled

This is a reset episode.
For the Red Wings.
For the trade deadline.
For Hockeytown.

#LGRW #DetroitRedWings #NHLPlayoffs #AtlanticDivision #MaxBultman

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Let’s have fun!

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The NHL is on Olympic break — and the Detroit Red Wings are sitting third in the Atlantic Division.

But what does that actually mean?

According to Max Bultman’s latest mailbag, the Eastern Conference cut line may land closer to 99 points this year — not the 91–92 we’ve seen recently. That makes the simple “.500 hockey gets you in” narrative a little too comfortable.

In this episode of Red Wings Rant, we break down:

• Why 96 points might not be enough • Why Columbus is the real threat right now • The importance of staying in the divisional seed vs falling to wild card • Ideal playoff matchups (Montreal? Buffalo?) • Nightmare scenarios (Tampa or Carolina) • Whether Yzerman actually adds at the deadline this year • John Gibson’s extension debate • And why MLB is suddenly broadcasting the Detroit Red Wings after the FanDuel Sports bankruptcy

Detroit controls its destiny — for now.

#LGRW #DetroitRedWings #NHLPlayoffs #AtlanticDivision #MaxBultman

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!

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The Red Wings head into the Olympic break with their goals still in sight — and their biggest questions unresolved.

Detroit closed the pre-break stretch by proving two very different things. First, they showed their ceiling by shutting out Colorado, becoming the first team all season to hold the Avalanche scoreless while limiting them to their lowest high-danger chance output of the year. Then, just days later, a 4–1 loss to Utah — with the lone goal coming on the power play — reminded everyone where this team remains vulnerable.

We break down why the Colorado win mattered so much, how Detroit locked down one of the NHL’s most dangerous offenses, and why that response prevented a potential skid heading into the break. We also discuss what the Utah loss revealed about Detroit’s ongoing struggle to generate consistent five-on-five offense, especially when space tightens.

Using insight from Max Bultman, we take stock of where the Red Wings stand at the Olympic break:

• Why the defense and goaltending give Detroit a real floor

• How the lack of five-on-five scoring remains the biggest concern

• What Jacob Bernard-Docker’s recent play alongside Moritz Seider says about growing stability

• Why waiting for Simon Edvinsson’s return matters

• And how the trade deadline conversation is shifting from urgency to restraint

This isn’t a panic point — it’s a pause. The Olympic break gives Detroit time to reset, evaluate, and decide how aggressive to be before March 6.

The Red Wings have proven they can defend with anyone. Now they have to answer the harder question: can they score when it matters most?

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