Gregg Kuppa writes in the Detroit News that if this was next season, with the implementation of a realignment in the NHL approved by the Board of Governors on Thursday, the Red Wings would be holding the last wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Rangers.
That is based on the current NHL records, as teams entered play Thursday.
They also would be fifth in their division, three points behind the Senators for the last non-wild card playoff position, and 11 behind the Canadiens for the division lead.
Of course, this is not next year, and when it is, the Red Wings will have a significantly different schedule, playing 29 games against teams in their division, 21 games with the other teams in the conference and 32 nonconference games.
