3 Detroit Red Wings Not Expected Back Next Season

The Detroit Red Wings are becoming a team to watch in the NHL. Steve Yzerman has assembled a dynamic young core, who are starting to hit their stride, along with one of the best farm systems in the league.

Yzerman made a move to acquire two-way defenceman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues ahead of the trade deadline, and is hopeful his roster is balanced enough, and goaltending strong enough, to make some noise in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Looking ahead to this upcoming offseason, expect to see an aggressive Yzerman try to take his team to the next level, while there's going to be several current players who won't be back. Here's three Red Wings who aren't expected back next season:

David Perron

It was surprising to see the Ottawa Senators move Perron to the Wings ahead of the trade deadline, but they were both buying and selling. The veteran pest is one of the toughest players to play against because of his in your face style, but unfortunately as a Wing, Perron's struggled, with no points in six games. Perron's on an expiring contract, and it's likely he looks elsewhere to finish out his career.

Travis Hamonic

Like Perron, Hamonic's a vet, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, and is likely not in the long-term plans in Detroit. Hamonic's making $1 million this season, and at 35 years old, there's certainly potential this season could be his last. If Hamonic accepts a league minimum deal for 2026-27, don't expect it to be in Detroit. They have a ton of young defencemen who will get a look in training camp for depth roles instead.

Cam Talbot

Talbot's done a great job to be a good teammate and has become the veteran backup the Wings needed behind John Gibson. With Gibson finding his form and under contract for next season, along with Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine waiting in the wings, look for Yzerman to let his youngster battle it out to work in tandem with Gibson next season. Talbot could wind up signing back in Edmonton this summer. 

Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images