The Detroit Red Wings do not have a first round pick in the 2026 National Hockey League draft. They traded it, along with a third round selection, to the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Justin Faulk in March.

At the time, the Wings were in a good position to reach the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs. They thought adding Faulk would bolster their chances of making the postseason for the first time in almost a decade.

Instead, Detroit collapsed, losing 13 of their last 19 games. The team now has the longest playoff drought in the NHL at 10 seasons.

Besides giving up a first round draft pick, the Wings could lose their team captain this offseason. Dylan Larkin has asked for a trade, preferably to a playoff contender. Larkin has played his entire career in Detroit. But he turns 30 in July and wants to win a Stanley Cup while he can still play at a high level.

Helene St. James covers hockey for the Detroit Free Press. She says Larkin’s desire to leave traces back to the Winter Olympics in February, when he and Team USA won the gold medal.

“I was there covering the team, and I’ve never seen him look happier,” she says. “I think it really hit home to him what he has been missing out on in Detroit.”

Larkin has a no-trade clause but can waive it if General Manager Steve Yzerman finds a team willing to acquire Larkin.

Deal or no deal?

St. James says Yzerman doesn’t have to trade Larkin. If he does, he would want a similar player in return.

“He would need to get an established NHL player in his mid-to late-20s who can play center,” she says. “They really need value players now.”

Larkin listed the Florida Panthers as one of his preferred destinations. They won the Stanley Cup in 2025 but missed the postseason in 2026. And they have already made a big roster move that makes a deal for Larkin unlikely.

Florida acquired Larkin’s Olympics teammate Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators on June 21. Like Larkin, Tkachuk was a team captain and their statistics are similar. But Tkachuk is three years younger than Larkin. And the Panthers gave up several draft picks, including two first-rounders in this year’s draft.

St. James says trading Larkin for draft picks would set Detroit’s rebuild back by several years.

“Those guys are not going to materialize into NHL contributors for a few years, especially later in the draft,” she says.

A new leader waits in the wings

If Yzerman refuses to make a trade, then it would be up to Larkin to decide if he wants to play in 2026-27 or sit out the season. Either way, Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan could pick a new captain to replace Larkin.

St. James says defenseman Moritz Seider would likely be that player.

“He has emerged as a leader in every respect, on the ice and off the ice,” she says. “He shows up all the time.”

Seider, 25, captained Germany’s national team in the 2026 Olympics. He was also the first player Yzerman drafted when he became GM in 2019.

Detroit Police shot a teenager who was running away from them after they arrested another teen near Campus Martius downtown.

Chief Todd Bettison says officers approached a group of young men and arrested one who was holding a suspicious-looking backpack. He says they searched the backpack and found a gun in it. An 18-year-old started walking away from the group and officers chased him.

Bettison says the officer who shot the fleeing teen feared for his safety. This happened a few hours before the annual fireworks over the Detroit River. Police said the teen was shot several times and is in serious condition. 

Police also arrested minors who violated the city’s 8 p.m. curfew and held them 
until a parent or legal guardian came to get them. (Batcheller/Raiyn) 

– Pat Batcheller contributed to this report

Additional headlines from Tuesday, June 24, 2026

SCOTUS rules against Michigan family

The Supreme Court ruled today against a Michigan family who said their rights were violated when their county sold their house for less than half its open-market value to cover a tax bill of just over $2,000.

Isabella County maintained that auction sale prices are always lower than open real estate transactions. It said requiring foreclosure prices to match the open market would essentially end those sales.  

Project documenting Native boarding schools reaches close

A project that gathered testimonies from more than 360 survivors of Native American Boarding schools has finished its first phase. The Tulsa-based National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition collected video oral histories from Indigenous survivors across 19 states.

The stories will be preserved in the Library of Congress. The project aimed to document the systemic abuse endured in boarding schools and how survivors found healing. 

It identified eight boarding schools that operated in Michigan. Three are still open.

Huron Valley warden on leave following inmate deaths

Jeremy Howard, the warden at Michigan’s only women’s prison has gone on personal leave after three deaths at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

The Michigan Department of Corrections told the Detroit Free Press today the leave is “personal and unrelated to current events.” The deaths of Khaira Howard, Rebecca Fackler and Ashley Hoath are still under investigation.

A former corrections officer at the facility was sentenced last week for criminal sexual conduct involving an inmate. The warden at the Cooper Street Correctional Facility in Jackson has been temporarily assigned to lead the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.  

PWHL announces outside investors

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced the Illitch Company is one of its first two outside investors. Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures is the other.

Mark and Kimbra Walter founded and funded the league in 2023 with hundreds of millions of their own dollars. Mark Walter is the owner of the LA Lakers, the Dodgers, and the LA Spark.

The PWHL has not yet turned a profit but just two and a half years later has doubled its size to 12 teams – including Detroit’s scheduled to play at LCA in the fall. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority abruptly canceled festivities planned for the Gordie Howe Bridge ribbon cutting tomorrow.

Windsor Detroit Bridge officials said that the US and Canada have agreed to push back the opening of the span in order to take, “the necessary time to resolve outstanding issues”. The statement did not say what those issues are.

President Trump has planned to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge saying that he wants the bridge crossing to be a better deal for the US. Bridge officials haven’t clarified whether the construction of the span is complete.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, June 11, 2026

Charity car show

Local nonprofit Healing Choices is hosting a charity event on Sunday June 14 to support domestic violence survivors. It’s the Healing Choices Charity Car Show at Metro Beach featuring classic cars, hotrods, muscle cars and more.

The Detroit Police Department will be at the event to showcase some of their vehicles. And The organization will also provide resources to survivors.  

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10 per ticket and can be purchased at the park entrance.  

Sports updates

FIFA 
Detroit City FC AND the El Paso Locomotive FC tied yesterday 1-1. Before the game the rain was non stop at the Keyworth Stadium but they were still able to have their match. Their next game is Saturday June 13 at 7 p.m. 

Also the Fifa World Cup starts today with co-host Mexico playing the opener in Mexico City against South Africa.

The United States plays their first game against Paraguay tomorrow at 9 p.m. EST at the Los Angeles stadium in Inglewood. 

MLB 
The Tigers lost against the Minnesota Twins yesterday 6-4. We’ll have the results of today’s tie breaker game of this three game series on tomorrow’s DER. 
 
NBA  
Last night, NBA history was made. The New Knicks had the largest finals comeback in history after erasing a 29 point deficit yesterday against the San Antonio Spurs.

Final score was 107-106.  

Henry Ford exhibits to recognize 250 years of the US

And last but not least, to celebrate America’s 250^th year the Henry Ford Museum is showcasing 250 acres of special programming, new exhibitions, exciting events and more to highlight the history of American innovation. 
 
Some of the exhibits will be: 

• Handmade: The Crafting of America  -This exhibit explores how fabrics helped shape American history.
• Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation – This exhibit looks at the important key documents of this nation. The Henry Ford is one of eight institutions across the U.S. where nine original founding-era documents and it will be on display.
• Artemis Adventure with LEGO® Bricks – This exhibit looks at American space exploration to the wonder of legos.  

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

This year’s running of the Detroit Grand Prix is in the books. The temporary walls along Jefferson Avenue will be coming down over the next few days.

While the eyes of race fans in the grandstands and parking decks were drawn to the drivers over the three-day weekend, auto racing is a team sport.

Kyle Kirkwood is driver of the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda and winner of last year’s Detroit Grand Prix. He says the tight downtown streets play into his team’s hands.

“It’s like a thing for us at Andretti,” says Kirkwood, “that we’re really good in slow speed corners. The bumps, the low grip nature of the track, it suits our car.”

Kirkwood and his team came into the weekend looking to gain momentum. The Floridian drove his car to a mid-pack 16th place finish at the Indy 500 just days before coming to the Motor City.

It was a result that Kyle Kirkwood’s race strategist, Bryan Herta, says was a disappointment for the team.

“So we’re looking to kind of just get back on track here with Kyle and get a good result,” says Herta.

As race strategist, it’s Herta’s job to pick through data, communicate with the driver and call pit stops.

“Really I’m playing the telephone game,” he explains. “So we’ve got a number of engineers in the timing stand as well as in the truck relaying information to me throughout the race.”

But cars don’t just show up to the track and race. That’s why the Detroit Grand Prix is a multi-day event.

Practice and qualifying

Practice sessions allow teams to dial in their setup. That comes after teams spend hours running simulations and working on the car at the shop before it ever turns a wheel.

“Car rolls out of the trailer; we hope that we’re good,” says Kyle Kirkwood. “We have some test items that we want to get through.”

If all goes to plan, Kirkwood says his Andretti Honda won’t need too much tweaking.

“If you’re throwing changes at the car, looking for balance, trying to find speed, that’s when you typically fall behind a little bit,” he explains.

After practice comes qualifying, to decide the starting order for race day. Kirkwood says it can be hard to set a clean lap time in Detroit. Traffic is common on the narrow track.

“It’ll create some excitement for sure,” he says. “I don’t like the excitement if I’m being honest, because I think we just have really fast cars. But, same time, if we have a fast car we should be able to do the right thing.”

And he was fast in qualifying. The No. 27 Honda advanced through each round with a chance to start the Detroit Grand Prix on pole.

However, Bryan Herta says an error by Kirkwood on his final qualifying lap cost them a chance to roll off first on Sunday.

“We’ve had a really fast car,” says Herta. “I think we’re a little disappointed with qualifying in sixth.”

Despite that, Herta doesn’t expect the mistake to stick to his driver.

“The thing I’ll say is I really enjoy working with Kyle,” Herta explains. “He doesn’t get too up when things are going well and he doesn’t get down when we’re working through struggles… and he’s fast. He can deliver. He does what we need him to do in races.”

And what Herta needs Kyle Kirkwood to do is not always drive like it’s the last lap of the Detroit Grand Prix.

Strategy

Racing is about more than just raw speed. If you drive the car as hard as it can possibly be driven, you will use more fuel and wear the tires out quicker, slowing you down in the long run.

In IndyCar, there are two different kinds of tire — one that is slower but lasts longer, and one that is fast but has a shorter lifespan.

Teams must run both types of rubber during the race. Herta says that adds an element of strategy crews need to figure out.

“So it’s really just the order in which you want to run your tires that’s going to be the differentiator.”

Race day

On race day, Herta and Kirkwood played their strategy correctly. A well-timed pitstop early in the running allowed the Andretti team to move its way forward and into a fight for the race win.

When the checkered flag flew after 100 laps, Kyle Kirkwood crossed the finish line in second position. He says the result made for a good day.

“You can’t be very upset with starting sixth and finishing second.” — Kyle Kirkwood, IndyCar driver

“You can’t be very upset with starting sixth and finishing second,” says Kirkwood. “We did all the right things. Pit stops were great, strategy was great.”

The result moves the No. 27 Honda up into second place in the season-long championship standings. Unfortunately for the Andretti Global team, it the man leading the title fight, Alex Palou, won the race.

Never-the-less, Kyle Kirkwood says he has his eye set on winning his first title.

“I still think that we can catch up,” says Kirkwood, “It’s not done and lost by any means.”

Kirkwood and Herta still have time to make that happen. As the IndyCar series leaves the Motor City, there are 10 races left to decide this year’s champion.

The IndyCars and other racing machines have competed near Detroit’s Renaissance Center for several years now.

The chair of the Grand Prix, Bud Denker, is also in charge of a one-time race in the nation’s capital that required permission from President Trump.

Denker says organizers of the Detroit Grand Prix are thrilled with how the event is progressing.

Hear more in Quinn Klinfelters interview. 

A Professional Women’s Hockey League team is coming to Detroit – a milestone that was inevitable. The hockey fans here are passionate, the championships are plentiful and the hockey history here is long. Considering the city’s deep connection to hockey, it’s fitting for Detroit to be one of four cities joining the PWHL in its fourth season.

Maya Smith, a journalist with the women’s athletics platform The IX sports, joined the program to discuss how it happened.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Severe storms raced through metro Detroit Tuesday, bringing strong winds, heavy rains and even hail.  Streets throughout Detroit were left with large puddles, causing drivers to avoid them. Wind gusts knocked down trees and broke limbs in some places.  

The canopy of a gas station on Detroit’s west side was knocked over by the winds, forcing its closure.  The Mobil station at Plymouth and Hubbell remains out of operation today. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Mary Waters disqualified 

Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters announced last month that she was running for Congress in Michigan’s 13^th District.  She made the announcement just before the filing deadline.  But Waters has now been disqualified from running for failing to gather sufficient petition signatures.   

Waters tried to run for the job in 2024, but came in second to incumbent Shri Thanedar in that year’s Democratic primary.  She was re-elected to Detroit City Council last year.  

Congressman Thanedar is running against State Representative Donovan McKinney in this year’s August primary election. 

Mackinac Policy Conference preview 

Politicians, industry leaders and philanthropists are making last-minute preparations for the Mackinac Policy Conference.  They’ll travel to Mackinac Island next week to network, discuss policy and learn from one another.  

The annual event is held by the Detroit Regional Chamber.  Speakers will include Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Professor Cornel West.  There will also be a debate between the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate.  

You can hear coverage of the Mackinac Policy Conference on WDET beginning Tuesday, May 26. 

Gas prices drop slightly, but still hurt 

Metro Detroit gas prices have fallen slightly in the past few days, but are still nearly two dollars per gallon higher than they were at the beginning of this year.  The average price for a gallon of self-serve unleaded in the area is now $4.74.  That’s down eight cents from a week ago.  

Motorists planning to head out on the road for the Memorial Day holiday weekend should still plan for prices that remain near $5 per gallon.  AAA says Michigan is one of the 10 most expensive states when it comes to gas right now. 

NAACP calls for sports boycott 

The NAACP is calling on college athletes to boycott southern schools in response to a Supreme Court decision impacting the Voting Rights Act.  NBC News reports the civil rights organization launched the “Out of Bounds” campaign this week. 

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled recently that using race to create two majority Black Congressional districts in Louisiana was unconstitutional.  

The NAACP is asking Black recruits to withhold their commitments to attend certain colleges, most of which are in the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference.  The boycott could have a financial effect via national sports television deals, ticket sales and alumni gifts. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hockeytown is getting a new team.  Officials from Ilitch Sports and Entertainment announced today that Detroit is getting a Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion team.  

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and others attended a news conference Wednesday just outside of Little Caesars Arena.  Sheffield says the new team means something special to her as Detroit’s first woman mayor.  “This moment is especially meaningful to me.  It represents the progress we are making as a city to ensure that women and girls are seen, supported, and given the opportunity to shine at the highest level.”   

Detroit’s new team, which doesn’t have a name yet, will start play in the fall.  The league will hold its national draft in Detroit in mid-June. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Dearborn chooses superintendent 

Dearborn has selected a new school superintendent.  The district has offered the top job to Mike Esseily.  He currently serves as the district’s Director of Special Populations.  That means he oversees special education, English language learner programs and mental health initiatives.  He’s worked in different positions in the Dearborn school system since 2007. 

The school board and Esseily are in the midst of contract negotiations.  The district says he’s expected to start in July. 

WXYZ TV-7 returns to Xfinity 

Metro Detroiters who have Xfinity for their cable service will be able to watch a local television channel once again.  A contract dispute between the cable provider and E.W. Scripps kept subscribers from watching WXYZ-TV 7 for several weeks.  That meant no access to the Southfield station’s national or local news or entertainment programming, including one of the Pistons’ nationally-televised playoff games.  

Customers were told at the beginning of the contract dispute that they could get an over-the-air TV antenna to watch Channel 7 at an additional cost, or watch on certain streaming services. 

Gas prices update 

Metro Detroit gas prices average $4.80 per gallon today.  That’s up 55 cents from just a week ago.  Crude oil prices remain at more than $100 per barrel, keeping fuel costs high.  

Negotiations reportedly are underway to end hostilities with Iran, but the Strait of Hormuz remains closed at this point, meaning oil tankers are not traveling the waterway as normal yet. 

Pistons win opening game of round two 

Pistons fans in Detroit are celebrating today.  The team won its first game in the second round of the NBA playoffs Tuesday night, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 111 – 101 at Little Caesars Arena.  

Cade Cunningham scored 23 points in the victory.  The Pistons built up a double-digit lead early, but let it slip away during the course of the game. 

The score at one point in the fourth quarter was tied at 93, but Detroit pulled away to secure the victory.  Game two in the best-of-seven series takes place Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The city of Detroit celebrated 10 years of Project Clean Slate with the program’s 20,000th expunged conviction.

Project Clean Slate is a program that removes barriers that limit the economic, social, physical and mental well-being of residents with criminal records. There are multiple benefits that come from expungement. Studies from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce show that companies that give second chances to returning citizens see reduced employee turnover and an overall higher quality of work.

During a press conference this week celebrating the decade-long program, Mayor Mary Sheffield announced her administration will offer a new opportunity for justice-impacted individuals.

“We just recently opened a new Office of Community and Neighborhood Safety. A part of that work will be working with justice-impacted residents through our new Office of Returning Citizens. When we invest in people and when we choose compassion, we don’t just change the lives of individuals, but the entire community,” Sheffield said.

Project Clean Slate currently has 4,000 open and eligible convictions in process and/or ready to be expunged.

Additional headlines for Thursday, April 30, 2026

Michigan gas prices continue climbing across the state

Michigan gas prices are going up again, with some areas seeing prices around $5 a gallon.

The average cost in the state is about $4.58, up about 33 cents from the day before and 71 cents higher than last week. A year ago, the average price was $3.23.

These surges are connected to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz, halting multiple shipments of oil.

Some experts say prices should stabilize after today.

Detroit teams face pivotal weekend across basketball, baseball and soccer

Pistons force Game 6

The Detroit Pistons avoided elimination Wednesday night, beating the Orlando Magic 116-109.

Now the hometown heroes travel to Orlando for a must-win Game 6 if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The showdown is set for Friday, May 1. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

Tigers look to climb AL Central standings

The Detroit Tigers face off against the Texas Rangers this weekend.

As the second-place team in the American League Central, they could find themselves in the top spot in the division with a successful weekend.

All three games will be played at Comerica Park.

Detroit City FC returns to Keyworth

Detroit City FC faces Louisville City FC at Keyworth Stadium.

The match is set for May 2 at 6 p.m.

Detroit Vinylfest returns for second year

The second annual Detroit Vinylfest returns this weekend, featuring records, CDs, tapes and more.

The event, presented by the Detroit Bookfest team, will feature more than 70 vendors selling vinyl records, cassette tapes and other music collectibles.

Vendors will also offer music-related posters, T-shirts and other memorabilia for collectors and music fans.

Some musicians will host autograph signings, and DJs will be spinning vinyl throughout the event.

For more information, visit detroitbookfest.com.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Candidates planning to run in Michigan’s August primary election had until Tuesday at 4 p.m. to file their paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office.  That includes a few new candidates who filed at the last minute.  

Detroit City Councilmember Mary Waters filed to run in the Democratic primary for the 13^th Congressional District.  She faces incumbent Shri Thanedar, state Representative Donovan McKinney and realtor John Goci.  

The State Board of Canvassers still has to approve the candidates’ petition signatures before they can appear on the August primary ballot. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Leland House up for auction 

Downtown Detroit’s Leland House apartment building is up for auction.  The Detroit News reports that bidding for the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will start next week.  

The Leland House was built in 1927 and served as a luxury hotel for many years, before being turned into an apartment complex.  Tenants were forced out of the building late last year, after the owner declared bankruptcy, and the city declared the building uninhabitable. 

Clean air hearing tonight 

Michigan regulators are holding a public hearing tonight to discuss metro Detroit’s air quality status.  Planet Detroit is reporting that state regulators want to declare that southeast Michigan is meeting federal ozone standards.  If approved, the action could weaken clean air standards in the area.  

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy will hold the virtual meeting at 6 p.m. tonight.  You can call call 855-758-1310 to attend and use code 847 4896 8640  or you can join the meeting on Zoom.  

Pistons Game 2 preview 

The Detroit Pistons will try to rebound from a loss in their first game of the NBA playoffs.  The Orlando Magic beat them Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.  The Pistons brought the best regular season record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference to the playoffs, but that didn’t stop the Magic from taking the first game.  

Cade Cunningham had 39 points in the loss.  Game 2 in the nationally-televised best-of-seven series takes place at Little Caesars Arena tonight at 7 p.m. 

NFL Draft starts Thursday 

The Detroit Lions are making their final preparations for this week’s NFL Draft.  The team has the 17^th pick in the first round of the draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh.  

Football analysts suggest the Lions could use that pick to get an offensive lineman, edge rusher or cornerback.  The first round of the NFL draft starts at 8 p.m. Thursday.  The event will be televised live on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Rep. Haley Stevens continued her call for articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a house committee meeting on Friday.

During a contentious set of questions, Stevens says that the secretary abused his office and gutted America’s health.

She said she did it for Michigan. “I had a moment to push for accountability for Michiganders whose healthcare and safety is on the line with conspiracy theories running rampant. I wanted to push today for the transparency and accountability Michiganders deserve. That’s who I take my cues from.”

After Stevens’ questioning, U.S. Rep. Bob Onder of Missouri accused Stevens—who is currently running for U.S. senate—of using the moment to get a viral clip.

With a Republican led house, it is unlikely that the articles of impeachment will go further or get a vote.

Additional headlines for Friday, April 17, 2026

Michigan Senate takes up bill to slow utility rate hikes

A state Senate committee took up a bill to stop utility rates from going up more than once every three years.

Right now, energy companies can ask the Michigan Public Service Commission for higher rates every 12 months—a source of public frustration when approvals of rate increase requests are soon followed by requests for even higher rates.

Commission char Dan Scripps says a three year system could help address that. He adds that tying increases to performance would also improve the system. “The details are important and I think there are a number of places where multi-year rate plans provide for continued investment. If you add in performance-based mechanisms, you can, I think, realize some shared savings.”

The commission doesn’t have to approve the full amount, but if it does act within 10 months, the increase becomes automatic.

Sports

NBA

The playoffs start this weekend and No. 1 seed Pistons will play Sunday, April 19 against whoever wins the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic game tonight at 7:30 p.m.

MLB

The Detroit Tigers have a three game affair against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The first pitch for tonight’s game is at 7:15 p.m. The Tigers are currently third in the American League Central.

Soccer

Detroit City FC face off against the Pittsburg Riverhounds SC on April 18 at Highmark Stadium. Game starts at 7 p.m.

Speakeasy fundraiser

This weekend, check out The Speakeasy at the Guardian Building. On Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. the Detroit Historical Society will host a fundraiser to support their efforts to share the rich history of the Motor City.

Tickets will cover live music by the Rhythm Society Orchestra, Charleston and East Coast Swing lessons, open bar, Detroit Distillery tastings, complimentary valet and more. Go to detroithistorical.org for more information.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Detroit Red Wings once epitomized excellence in the National Hockey League.

They have won 11 Stanley Cups, more than any other U.S.-based franchise. Between 1991 and 2016, the Wings qualified for the playoffs every year except 2005 , when the NHL locked out its players in a labor dispute and canceled the postseason..

It has now been a decade since Detroit’s last playoff appearance. The Wings won exactly half of its 82 games in 2025-26, finishing sixth in the NHL’s Atlantic Division.

This is the third straight year the team has faltered in the final weeks of the regular season. They were competing for a wild card spot before fading in March 2024 and 2025.

But this collapse might be the worst of all.

Deja vu

The Wings were in good shape on February 4, when the league took a break for the 2026 Winter Olympics. They stood in second place in the NHL’s Atlantic Division. Three players—Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, and Lucas Raymond—went to Italy to play for their home countries. Larkin ended up winning a gold medal with Team USA. 

After they came home, things fell apart. Again. Detroit lost 16 of its last 24 games and finished sixth in their division. They won exactly half of their 82 games, ending up with 41 wins, 31 regulation losses, and 10 overtime losses. Teams get 2 points for a victory, and 1 if they lose in OT.  That adds up to 92 points, seven short of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit Free Press hockey writer Helene St. James says doubts started creeping in after the Olympics.

“They were really chafing when they started getting a lot of questions about holding up in March,” she says. “They can blame outside noise all they want, the noise was created within the locker room.”

That noise resulted in too many slow starts and mental lapses on the ice. In several games, the opposing teams scored early and often, and the Wings couldn’t find a way to come back. St. James says the team will have to address that before next season.

“It’s on the players to come out with energy at the start of games,” she says. “None of the players have an answer for that.”

Trust the Yzerplan?

Some of the responsibility for this year’s collapse falls on General Manager Steve Yzerman. When he took the job in 2019, he inherited a mess. His predecessor, Ken Holland, built teams that won four Stanley Cups between 1997 and 2008. After the NHL imposed a salary cap in 2005, Holland had trouble signing top free agents. At the same time, he awarded lengthy and expensive contracts to subpar players and developed few if any young players through the draft.

It has taken Yzerman, a former Wings captain, years to overcome Detroit’s salary cap woes and restock its once-barren farm system. 

Statistically, the Wings have improved under Yzerman’s watch. Although 92 points wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs, it is the most they’ve collected in his seven seasons at the helm.

St. James says it’s fair to question some of Yzerman’s moves.

“He has made some free agent signings that haven’t worked out,” she says. “He’s tried to find somebody to be great on that second line center spot, and they haven’t found it.”

Follow the leader

Some fans have questioned Dylan Larkin’s leadership as team captain. Many say he doesn’t hold his teammates accountable for their performance or motivate them to be better.

St. James rejects that narrative.

“They’re adults,” she says. “There needs to be accountability, and if it’s not from the player himself, maybe it’s time to move on from this player.”

Even if Larkin is reluctant to call out his teammates, head coach Todd McLellan is not. At one point, he compared some of his players to empty jerseys. Talk like that can cause players to “tune out” their coaches. St. James doubts that’s the problem.

“He may have the safest job in the NHL,” she says. “If they have tuned him out, which I don’t think is the case, then shame on those players.”

How to fix it

Yzerman tried to acquire defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Minnesota Wild during the season. Hughes, who played college hockey at the University of Michigan, was a member of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that won gold in Italy. He reportedly nixed a trade to Detroit because he wouldn’t sign a long-term contract extension.

The Wings did trade its first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to get veteran defenseman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues. Faulk played in 17 games for Detroit, scoring five goals and assisting on three others.

St. James says she would keep Larkin, Seider, and Alex DeBrincat, the team’s leading scorer this season. But she says Yzerman could package other players in a trade to get someone better.

“You have to move on from some of the bottom six guys,” she says. “Michael Rasmussen has not made an impact for them in three years.”

Rasmussen and Larkin are the only players who were on the roster before Yzerman became GM.

Help is on the way, but when?

If there’s any hope for the future, fans will find it in Grand Rapids. The Wings’ top minor league affiliate, the Griffins, won the American Hockey League‘s Central Division this season and are among the favorites to win the Calder Cup.

The Griffins are loaded with young talent. Three players began the season as Red Wings: center Emmitt Finnie, forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and defensemen Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Finnie was the only rookie to play in all 82 games for the Wings. Sandin-Pellikka appeared in 68 NHL contests. Brandsegg-Nygard played in 14 games. 

A key player going forward is Detroit’s top goaltending prospect, Sebastian Cossa. The Wings called him up for one game in March, but he didn’t play. He’s been in the farm system for four years. 

St. James says Cossa is out of waiver exceptions, which means the Wings must have him on the roster next season, or another team could claim him.

“It usually takes a year, two years, three years before they start becoming impact players, and more so with goalies,” she says. 

Yzerman could package young players together in a trade for a high-scoring second line center. If he stands pat in the offseason, the Wings’ playoff drought might go to 11 in 2027.

The story of retired baseball player Ron LeFlore is one  worth repeating. 

LeFlore was a gifted athlete who refused to let the mistakes he made during his childhood define him. His talent, perseverance and a little luck catapulted him out of his prison cell and onto the Detroit Tiger’s roster for six seasons. He led the league in stolen bases twice and secured a spot on the 1976 All-Star team. 

Although Ron LeFlore’s story has been told before in an movie and an autobiography, author Adam Henig felt there was still more to tell.

In Henig’s book “Baseball’s Outcasts: The Story of Ron LeFlore” he details the former Tiger’s journey from the streets of Detroit to the dugout, and LeFlore’s life after the major leagues. Henig  joined the show to explore some of the lesser known details about Ron LeFlore’s life. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Detroit residents with past convictions can get a fresh start at the Pistons’ Social Impact Summit.

According to The National Inventory of Collateral Consequences, nearly 1,300 Michigan residents with criminal records face lifetime barriers to housing, jobs, employment and education.

That’s why TimeDone, the nation’s largest community of people with old records is working to help as many as 1,000 justice impacted residents get their records expunged.

The summit is happening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday April 11 at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center. The address is 6201 Second Ave.

Registrations for the event are full, but walk-ins are welcome.

Additional headlines for Friday, April 10, 2026

Taxpayer assistance hours

The IRS announces special Saturday hours for select Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country. The upcoming Saturday hours will be April 11 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

During these hours these centers will be available to help taxpayers with: Online Account Assistance, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Renewal, IRS Identity Theft Victim Assistance, Payments, Refunds, and more.

Locations: 

• Detroit: 477 Michigan Ave.
• Flint: 917 N. Saginaw St.
• Grand Rapids: 3251 N. Evergreen Dr. N.E.

Please go to IRS.gov to see other Michigan locations and the specific days and hours these centers will be open for these special hours.

Sports

NBA
The Pistons play their final regular season games this weekend with the Hornets tonight at Spectrum Center tonight at 7 p.m. and against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 6 p.m.

With the Pistons being No.1 in the east, they will face the No. 8 seed. The NBA Playoffs start on April 18.

NHL
The Red Wings playoff hopes stay alive with a win over the Flyers yesterday with the score of 6 – 3.

According to sports website Playoffstatus.com, they have a 8-9% of making it.

They hope to keep those chances up as they play the New Jersey Devils tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at Little Caesars.

MLB
The Tigers start their three-game affair against the Miami Marlins this weekend. First pitch for tomorrow’s game is at 1:10 p.m.

The Tigers are currently 4-9 in the American League Central.

Mothering Justice event honors Black mothers

Black Maternal Health Week begins tomorrow April 11 and non profit organization Mothering Justice is kicking it off with a community event called Pouring Into Our Legacy.

Danielle Atkinson is the founder of the organization. She says the event will honor lineage, stories and lived experiences of Black mothers. “We all have a role to play in preventing Black maternal death,” she says. “Tomorrow is an opportunity to learn from the past. How we can do that better. Granny midwives taught us how to birth babies but they taught us how to advocate for ourselves.”

The event is going down tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mothering Justice Office at 17320 Livernois Ave.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.