The Detroit Red Wings are in the hunt for a playoff spot, but their roster could see significant changes next season.
Several key players are set to become free agents, and NHL analyst Rob Couch of NHLTradeRumors predicts that the Red Wings will part ways with Jeff Petry this offseason.
“Jeff Petry was not the addition the Red Wings were hoping for when they acquired him before last season,” Couch wrote. “His offensive production has declined, and Detroit has moved forward defensively without him during his injury. The veteran has played 34 games this season, recording just six points, and is set to become a free agent. Given the team’s current contracts and prospects in the system, it will be an easy decision to move on from Petry after a disappointing two seasons.”
Petry is in the final year of his four-year, $25 million contract with the Red Wings and is set to become a free agent on July 1. Given his struggles in Detroit, Couch expects the team to move on from the veteran defenseman.
This season, Petry has played 34 games, tallying just one goal and five assists for six points.
Petry Dealing With Long-Term Injury
The Red Wings have been without Petry since January 2 due to an upper-body injury. He underwent surgery for the issue, and while the team remains hopeful for his return, there is no guarantee he will be back on the ice soon.
Coach Todd McLellan remains uncertain about Jeff Petry’s return, stating, “We hope that he recovers quick and is back in the lineup, but it won’t be soon.”
In Petry’s absence, rookie defenseman Albert Johansson has stepped in and performed well.
“Probably the biggest surprise for me to date is Albert,” McLellan said. “I knew nothing about Albert. We get here, and he’s kind of parked on the shelf while everyone else is playing and we’re evaluating players. I think his rise has been remarkable—unless I underestimated him, and that’s on me.”
With Johansson stepping up in Petry’s absence, it further signals that Detroit is prepared to move on from the veteran defenseman when his contract expires this offseason.
Red Wings Battling for Playoff Spot
Detroit remains in the thick of the playoff race but suffered a tough loss to the Ottawa Senators, who currently hold the final postseason spot.
“Obviously, it’s always good to play well, have a strong team game, and generate as many shots as we did,” said Lucas Raymond after the loss. “But at the same time, it’s about putting wins in the win column, especially at this time of year. It stings right now, but we know what we’re capable of and what we can do in this locker room. It’s been a tough stretch for us, but we’re confident we can turn this around and finish the season strong.”
Despite the setback, McLellan remains optimistic about his team’s performance.
“They put a lot into that game,” McLellan said. “There’s no complaints about effort or execution—we just ran into a goalie who had a career night. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a way to beat him. We didn’t give up much, we played a hard, gritty game. When you’re in a losing streak, it’d be nice to win a game like this and break out of it. But if we keep playing like this, we’ll find ways to win.”
