The Detroit Red Wings’ historic legacy stretches back to the team’s NHL inception in 1926, with a cast of legendary players and coaches representing them. This season, the team’s 99th, figures to see history made, too.
A number of Detroit players are set to break personal milestones, and so is Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde. The accomplishments span from career Wings to recent acquisitions. Here are some of the highlights.
Patrick Kane: 1,300 Points
Detroit’s biggest individual milestone could be that of winger Patrick Kane, who is 16 points away from his 1,300th point. Most of those came earlier in his career with Chicago, including the 106 he scored in 2015-16 that made him the first American-born player to win the Hart and Art Ross trophies.
In a similar theme of American history, Kane is in reach of Brett Hull’s 1,391 points that hold the record for most by an American. Kane is currently third, behind Mike Modano’s 1,374. All three played for Detroit at some time in their career.
Alex DeBrincat: 500 Points
If Alex DeBrincat keeps playing next to Kane of all linemates, getting 60 points next season to reach the 500 mark should be possible. In 413 games played together with Chicago and Detroit, DeBrincat has recorded 345 points. Kane has notched 472.
No matter his linemates, DeBrincat is really close to the accomplishment. A lot of players have gotten there — 549 and counting, with more than a dozen players besides DeBrincat in striking distance. Considering he’s only 26, it feels as though this is only a temporary stop on the way to greater milestones in the future.
Dylan Larkin: 300 Assists
Dylan Larkin is just six assists away from his 300th, a testament to his playmaking over the years. His 294 rank 15th in Red Wings history, though a similar campaign to last season’s could see him jump to 12th, passing Igor Larionov (308), Red Kelly (310) and Brendan Shanahan (324).
In terms of franchise scoring leaders, Larkin’s 506 career points rank 14th. He could pass Tomas Holmstrom (530), John Ogrodnick (546) and Reed Larson (570) depending on how successful his season is.
Jeff Petry: 1,000 Games Played
Given his age and the depth of Detroit’s blue line, Jeff Petry might have a little trouble getting all 63 games he needs to break the millennium mark this season. It’d be awfully fitting, though — given his roots in Ann Arbor and his father’s history as a Detroit Tiger — to break that milestone with the hometown team.
Playing 508 games for the Montreal Canadiens, the majority of his games came there. but he also played 295 for the Edmonton Oilers that drafted him 45th overall in 2006. Detroit is his third-longest stint, with his 73 games last season having passed his 61 the year prior for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Cam Talbot: 500 Games Played
If he appears in 14 games this season, Cam Talbot will reach 500 games played in his career. He’ll be the third goaltender to reach that goal next season, as Frederick Anderson is five away and Jacob Markstrom is right on Talbot’s heels at 15. Talbot is also 35 starts away from his 500th.
As of this offseason, only 80 goaltenders have reached 500 games in NHL history. The latest entry should be familiar to Red Wings fans: James Reimer’s 500th game came last season, a 5-4 overtime win sealed by a Larkin overtime winner. The win kept the playoff push alive, though Detroit narrowly missed. It will hope that Talbot’s 500th might be part of a more successful campaign that reaches the playoffs.
Christian Fischer: 500 Games Played
For a player who hasn’t been a potent scorer since his rookie season, Christian Fischer’s 500th game will be a major milestone. It’s a testament to the energy and skill he brings to a bottom six role. The milestone is just 23 games away.
If he stays healthy, it’s hard to imagine Fischer won’t reach it. He was an invaluable part of Detroit’s checking third line last season, and he’s poised for a redux in 2024-25. In total, 398 of his games came with the Arizona Coyotes he started his career with. Detroit is the only other organization he has played with.
Derek Lalonde: 100 Wins
Coaches are set for milestones this season, too. Lalonde is 24 wins off of 100 in his career. So long as the Red Wings don’t completely nosedive, he’ll get it this season. Detroit is the only organization he has been head coach of at the NHL level.
At best, win number 100 could come Dec. 1 against the Vancouver Canucks, but a 24-0-0 start would be a record in and of itself. If he stays on pace with his career win percentage, the century mark should come in his 215th career game coached. That would be the 51st of the season, Jan. 30 on the road against the Edmonton Oilers. This would make him the 64th fastest coach to 100 wins in NHL history.