The Detroit Red Wings are nearing the end of their exhibition slate. Their conclusion, of course, signals the imminence of the 2025–26 regular season—a moment charged with both anticipation and uncertainty.
As is the case with every Opening Night across professional sports, roster composition remains the most tantalizing unresolved question. Who will claim those final spots? Which prospects will force the hand of management, and which veterans may find themselves displaced? Surprises are always possible, though patterns from training camp and preseason offer a preliminary sketch.
With that in mind, here is my projection for how the Red Wings’ roster will crystallize as the curtain rises on a new campaign.