Growing Expectations Positive Development For Red Wings

There’s a new buzz word working its way through the Detroit Red Wings organization this summer. It’s a sign of just how far the club has come in the past two NHL seasons.

Expectations are growing for the Red Wings in anticipation of the 2024-25 season and you know what?

The team is just fine with that.

Raise your hand if you’re excited for Red Wings season 🙋🏻‍♂️

(peep Derek Lalonde) pic.twitter.com/E7WAzcLMlA

— Natalie Kerwin (@NatalieKerwin1) August 7, 2024

“I think there’s definitely expectations going into this season, so that’s always a good thing,” Detroit forward Patrick Kane said. “You want those expectations.”

After finishing the season with 91 points and missing out on postseason play via tiebreaker, the Red Wings have given cause for high hopes.

“I think you set expectations high after coming down to Game 82 (and) that (is when) you missed the playoffs,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said.

The Red Wings are ready to deal with the accompanying pressure that raised expectations do bring.

“I think that’s great for our group to have expectations like that to come in the next year to get back to that point,” Red Wings forward Christian Fischer said. “I’m honestly fully confident that we could get back there.

“You don’t want to set crazy expectations but I think everybody’s in the same boat. I think we kind of showed last year a big step in the progression of our team and setting the standard that we could be in the postseason, and that we expect to be in the postseason.

“I think it’s just last year was a great building block for our team.”

All Part Of Process For Red Wings

Along with raised expectations, the Red Wings will also be dealing with the fact that they won’t be able to sneak up on any teams. They’ve raised the bar in terms of how other teams view them as well.

Patrick Kane on returning to Red Wings: "We all want to build on last year. There’s definitely expectations going into this season, and that’s a good thing. And I think the LCA is an amazing place to play, I can’t imagine what it would be like in the playoffs."

— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) July 8, 2024

“It’s all part of the process,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Expectations change because we flirted with getting there.

“These are different expectations. That’s a different challenge in itself, too. I think there’s a lot of excitement for good reason going into this year but it’s going to be on us and the group to narrow our focus on doing the right things, especially early, and we’d love to put ourselves in the same situation next year.”