The Detroit Red Wings have unveiled their schedule for the 2025 preseason, and fans can mark their calendars for some exciting matchups. The team's preseason opener is slated for Sept. 23 at the Little Caesars Arena where they will face off against the Chicago Blackhawks, CBS News Detroit reports. An eight-game slate is planned, running through Oct. 4, and it includes a pair of games against traditional rivals: the Toronto Maple Leafs.
According to The Detroit News, the Red Wings will play four of their preseason games at home, with the aim to quickly gain their momentum. They are set to quickly jump into a three-games-in-three-days stretch, starting with the Buffalo Sabres at home on Sept. 25, then hitting the road to play the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Sabres again on consecutive days. Ticket information for these games has yet to be released but is expected to be announced at a later date, along with the regular-season games' schedule.
Following a less-than-ideal 39-35-8 record that placed them No. 6 in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference the previous season, the Red Wings made moves in their coaching staff. Head coach Derek Lalonde was fired in December 2024 and replaced by Todd McClellan, as CBS News Detroit mentioned. Lalonde went on to secure a position as the assistant head coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Red Wings are certainly looking "to establish a presence early" in the season, which might prove to be a challenge with the three back-to-back games. They conclude their preseason schedule with a series against the Maple Leafs, hosting the final game on Oct. 4, which, according to WXYZ, will mark the end of their preseason campaign at home in Detroit. Both organizations will be using these games to fine-tune their rosters ahead of the regular season, adding an extra layer of intrigue for hockey aficionados. The full schedule, with dates and locations for all preseason games, is available on team and news websites.
