NHL · Atlantic · Est. 1926 · Little Caesars Arena
Updated March 16, 2026
Detroit acquired veteran defenseman Justin Faulk from St. Louis at the trade deadline, giving up a first-round pick and a third-rounder. The move signals that the Red Wings believe this is their year to end the franchise's playoff drought, which stretches back to 2016.
Dylan Larkin's injury heading into the Olympic break couldn't have come at a worse time. Detroit lost three of four games without their captain, and what looked like a comfortable playoff position has suddenly become precarious. A 10th consecutive season without postseason hockey looms if they can't right the ship.
If the Red Wings miss the playoffs again, that will be seven seasons under Steve Yzerman's watch without a postseason appearance. The pressure on the front office is mounting, and this deadline's aggressive posture suggests Yzerman knows the clock is ticking.