1 inconvenient truth the Red Wings must address early in 2025-26

The The Detroit Red Wings are off to a hot start in 2025-26. They bounced off a brutal opening night loss to the Montreal Canadiens. And it seemed like this team had figured things out after nine seasons without postseason hockey. Big moves for John GibsonJames van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton seemed to help.

however, Detroit has fallen hard since its hot streak for the start of the season. They are 8-10-1 since their initial 5-1-0 start to the campaign. They have lost three straight games and four of their last five. In the last four losses, the team has given up four or more goals. They’re fifth in the Atlantic Division, and Detroit has a suddenly crucial early-season matchup with the Boston Bruins next on the slate.

The Red Wings have shown they are better than this. At the same time, there is just as much evidence that this team doesn’t have it in them again. Detroit has never gone 10 years without playoff hockey. But they are dangerously close to experiencing that reality this year.

Through it all, there is an uncomfortable truth that emerges for the Red Wings. It’s a truth they need to address at the same time, but they may not be equipped to do so. And that could sink their season if something doesn’t change soon.

The Red Wings’ John Gibson is nearly unplayable through 13 games

As mentioned earlier, The Red Wings traded for John Gibson over the summer in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. At the time, this move made a lot of sense. Gibson had the best record of any recent Detroit goalie since Steve Yzerman returned to the franchise. And he’s embarked on a career resurgence, posting a .912 save percentage last season.

The Red Wings were hoping to stabilize their goaltending and allow their top prospects to continue their development. Unfortunately, this did not happen at this time. Through 13 games, Gibson posted a torturous .865 save percentage. Entering Friday’s game, the Red Wings goalie was worth a -8.64 goals-against average, fourth-worst in the NHL.

The news doesn’t get any better either. He has the seventh-worst number of goals scored above expectations. And among goalies with at least 400 minutes played, Gibson has the third-worst save percentage in the league.

It’s hard to overstate that the Red Wings netminder is currently unplayable. It’s also not something the team wants to admit. Detroit bet on his play this offseason. Gibson was by far the most significant offseason addition ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Having said this, there is little Detroit can do. Veteran netminder Cam Talbot has played much better this year. However, he himself did not perform very well. He is helpful at best. Talbot is also 38 years old, which limits the effort he can give this team.

The most obvious solution lies at least in the house. The Red Wings can call up Sebastian Kosa, one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. He posted a stellar .935 save percentage in the AHL this year. I he recently earned his 50th career AHL win.

Bringing in Cossa complicates things a bit with their roster. But Detroit has shown a willingness to carry three goaltenders on the NHL roster. If Gibson can’t turn things around in dramatic fashion, the Red Wings may have to carry three netminders once again if they want a shot at the 2026 postseason.