Red Wings Can’t Ignore What the Lightning Are Building — Detroit Faces Rising Threat in the Atlantic (And It’s Not Florida)…see more…
As the Detroit Red Wings continue their methodical climb back into Eastern Conference contention, there’s a new—yet familiar—storm brewing in the Atlantic Division. And no, it’s not coming from South Florida.
While many expected the Florida Panthers to remain Detroit’s primary divisional roadblock after consecutive deep playoff runs, another longtime Atlantic juggernaut is quietly reloading. The Tampa Bay Lightning, once thought to be heading toward a full-scale rebuild, have managed to thread the needle—simultaneously developing youth and sustaining a competitive edge. For the Red Wings, that’s a problem they can no longer ignore.
Tampa’s Rebuild-in-Place Model Is Working
Following their back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, the Lightning endured the inevitable aging curve and cap crunch. The departures of key veterans like Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat over recent seasons were signs of a shifting tide. Yet, GM Julien BriseBois didn’t tear it all down. Instead, he opted for a “rebuild-in-place” model, blending aging stars with emerging talent.
Tampa’s patience is starting to pay dividends. Forward Nick Paul had a breakout 2024-25 season, while 24-year-old defenseman Darren Raddysh evolved into a top-four staple. But what’s most concerning for Detroit is the influx of youth from within: Isaac Howard, Dylan Duke, and Ethan Gauthier—draft picks from the past few years—are now NHL-ready, and their energy is reinvigorating the Bolts’ forward depth.
“The Lightning aren’t fading into irrelevance like some thought,” said one Eastern Conference scout. “They’re getting younger, faster, and more dangerous again.”
The Red Wings’ Timeline Just Got Complicated
Detroit’s general manager Steve Yzerman is no stranger to Tampa—he built the Lightning core that won those Cups. Now at the helm of Detroit’s rebuild, Yzerman has crafted a promising foundation centered around Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and newly acquired goalie John Gibson. The Red Wings’ 2025 draft class was widely praised, especially with the selection of Carter Bear and the surprise trade for Petr Mrazek to bolster goalie depth.
Yet, Detroit’s rise could now face a steeper climb if the Lightning’s resurgence continues.
While the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres have shown flashes but failed to consistently rise, Tampa Bay’s core—led by Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman—remains capable of elite-level hockey. Add a fresh wave of talent and you get a dangerous mix that can challenge for top-three divisional placement again as early as next season.
For Detroit, the margin of error narrows. They cannot afford a slow start or a regression from key pieces.
Kucherov’s Continued Dominance and a Healthy Vasilevskiy Spell Trouble
Another major reason Detroit must keep a wary eye on Tampa: Nikita Kucherov is still operating at an MVP-caliber level. Despite turning 32 this month, Kucherov posted 113 points last season and continues to show no signs of slowing down. His partnership with Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel forms one of the most lethal lines in the league.
Meanwhile, after missing the first third of the 2024–25 campaign, Andrei Vasilevskiy returned to form in the spring and quietly posted a .918 save percentage in his final 30 starts. If he starts the 2025–26 season healthy and in rhythm, the Lightning could ride his goaltending right back into the playoffs.
“If Vasy’s healthy and Kucherov keeps producing like this, that’s a team nobody wants to see,” said a Red Wings assistant coach anonymously. “They’ve done this before. They know how to win.”
Strategic Moves by Tampa This Offseason
What should further concern Red Wings fans is how Tampa Bay has used the offseason. Despite a tight cap situation, the Lightning have managed to improve without making splashy moves.
They signed 26-year-old center Joe Veleno—ironically, a former Red Wings first-round pick—after acquiring him in a quiet deadline deal. Veleno brings familiarity with Detroit’s system and could be a key depth piece for Tampa’s bottom six.
Tampa also made a smart gamble by signing Russian winger Maxim Groshev to an entry-level contract after two strong seasons in the KHL. Scouts believe he could become a middle-six option as early as this year.
In the draft, they may have stolen a gem in 18-year-old defenseman Anton Karpov, a mobile, puck-moving blueliner who was projected to go in the first round but fell to them at 52nd overall.
Red Wings Need to Make a Bold Move—Soon
With the Lightning surging again and the Maple Leafs and Bruins still playoff-caliber, Detroit must accelerate its trajectory. The acquisition of John Gibson signals that Yzerman is done waiting for development alone to push the team forward. However, more is needed.
There’s growing pressure on the Red Wings’ front office to add a scoring winger to complement Dylan Larkin and J.T. Compher. There’s also a need for another shutdown defenseman, especially after sending Joe Veleno out of town.
Reports suggest that Detroit has been in quiet talks with the Calgary Flames about Noah Hanifin, and there’s speculation about possible interest in free agent Anthony Duclair.
The Atlantic Is Getting Crowded Again
For a brief moment, it looked like Detroit had a clearer path. Boston had no clear successor to Patrice Bergeron. The Leafs were still underachieving. The Panthers were finally starting to feel the weight of playoff mileage. But just as one door seemed to open, Tampa’s resurgence is starting to close it.
Detroit can still be a playoff team in 2025–26. But to do so, they must treat Tampa Bay as a legitimate threat—not just a team clinging to past glory.
“It’s not just about what we’re building,” said a Red Wings veteran after development camp. “It’s about knowing what our division rivals are doing, too. Tampa’s not going away. And neither can we.”
Final Word
The Detroit Red Wings’ rebuild remains one of the most promising in the NHL. But in the ever-competitive Atlantic Division, standing still is equivalent to falling behind. As Tampa Bay stealthily reconstructs a new competitive core, Detroit must respond—not in five years, but now. Because while Florida may have been the Atlantic’s headline-maker, it’s the Lightning who might soon become its scariest story once again.
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