Detroit is buzzing in a way it hasn’t in decades.

The Lions are NFC contenders with swagger and an identity. The Tigers, after years of irrelevance, suddenly have a young core that believes again. Both teams have done what once felt impossible: dragged themselves out of misery and into legitimacy.

The Red Wings? They're still struggling.

Steve Yzerman’s rebuild is respectable, even promising, but while the Tigers are turning prospects into wins and the Lions are turning grit into gold, the Wings are still... trying.

Here’s the good news: I don’t believe they don’t need a full teardown. With $21 million in cap space, they’re better positioned than nearly any contender to make big, meaningful moves. The Lions and Tigers are proof—Detroit teams can rise fast. Here’s what the Yzerplan needs to do to follow their lead, and who they should target to finally rejoin the city’s sports renaissance.

1. Like the Lions Found Their QB… the Wings Need a Second Star Center

The Lions didn’t win because Jared Goff is elite (even though he rocks) they won because they gave him support, balance, and trust. Dylan Larkin can be the same for the Wings, but he needs another center who can share the load.

Martin Nečas is that guy.

He’s 25, dynamic, fast, and ready to break out with top-six minutes and power play time. Carolina is hesitant to give him that, and they’re also up against the cap wall. Nečas is a pending RFA and reportedly unhappy with his usage.

Detroit can swoop in with a deal like this: 1st-round pick + Jonatan Berggren or William Wallinder, then sign Nečas long-term at $6–7M AAV; a price the Canes may not want to match.

Carolina has other priorities, and with $12M and over 8 RFAs/UFAs to handle, something’s gotta give. Detroit’s flexibility makes them a rare team that can offer both money and opportunity.

Think: Amon-Ra St. Brown before his breakout. Let him cook, and you’ll get results.

2. Just Like Hutchinson Needed Help—So Does Seider

The Lions' defense didn’t leap forward until Aidan Hutchinson got legit help on the other side. Moritz Seider is a certified stud, but Detroit’s blue line is full of “meh.” They don’t need “meh”. They need a physical, top-4 guy who can both absorb minutes and push pace.

K’Andre Miller is him.

At 6'5", he’s rangy, physical, and just scratching the surface offensively. He’s also a pending RFA in New York, which has only $11.6M in cap space and needs to re-sign Lafrenière and Schneider too. If the Rangers extend one, Miller could be squeezed out.

Miller’s new deal likely starts around $5.5–6M AAV. The Wings can afford that easily and could even offer a short bridge if needed.

3. The Tigers Found an Ace in Skubal. The Wings Need One in Net.

You can’t win without elite goaltending. Ville Husso has been hurt. Lyon is a battler, but not the answer.

If the Wings want to compete in April, they need someone who can steal a series. Enter:

Juuse Saros – a UFA in 2025, with Askarov ready behind him.

Linus Ullmark – Boston only has $5.4M in cap space, and (although controversial to some) they need to sign Swayman.

Either goalie immediately makes the Wings dangerous.

Most contenders can’t take on these goalies without sending money back. Detroit? They can absorb the full cap hit and sweeten the pot with prospects or picks.

Detroit needs their Tarik Skubal. A quietly elite, no-nonsense, and the kind of player who makes you a threat overnight.

4. Toughness That Skates: The Brad Holmes Principle

The Lions built a bully, but not a stupid one. They found gritty players with skill and discipline. The Wings need the same thing in their bottom six.

Guys like:

• Brandon Duhaime

• Garnet Hathaway

• Ross Colton (and here's the catch…)

Colorado has under $5M in cap space. Colton could be the odd man out in a numbers game, and he’s exactly what Detroit lacks: an agitator with real offensive upside.

Again, Yzerman can take on mid-tier contracts other contenders can’t. That gives him leverage in trade talks, especially for "cap casualties" like Colton, Hagel, or even a veteran like Ryan Hartman if Minnesota sheds salary.

5. Steal From the Cap-Strapped

• Look at these contenders:

• Tampa Bay – $5.4M

• Boston – $5.4M

• Colorado – $4.9M

• St. Louis – $3.5M

• Dallas – $2.9M

These teams have to shed contracts. Detroit can help… for a price. Take on useful players, add upside, and weaponize cap space like Brad Holmes has done with rookie contracts and value deals.

Don’t rule out bold moves like:

• Brandon Hagel – $1.5M now, $6.5M next year.

• Colton Parayko – pricey, but fills a major defensive gap.

• Matt Grzelcyk – UFA, but could be a stabilizing short-term D target.

The Blueprint’s in Their Backyard

The Lions didn't wait for a "perfect" roster. They trusted their vision, paid for toughness, and doubled down on core players. The Tigers finally let their prospects play, and then built around them.

The Wings are next. They don’t need a five-year plan. They need:

• A legit 2C (Nečas)

• A big, mobile defender (Miller)

• A top-10 goalie (Saros or Ullmark)

• Energy players who won’t slow the game down

• To spend that $21M before everyone else does

If they hit two of those moves? They’re a playoff team. Three or more? They’re dangerous.

Detroit is no longer the sports punchline. The Wings just have to join the Detroit movement.