Detroit officially announced its schedule for the coming preseason, which like last year will be an eight-game tuneup for the regular season
With the 2023-24 NHL season ending tonight in Sunrise, Florida, it's only appropriate that we begin looking toward next season. Today, the Red Wings helped us out with just that, when the team announced its preseason slate for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Nov 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates with the puck defended by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot (8) in the third period at Little Caesars Arena
© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Eight games matches last year's preseason, but this year's schedule presents some new wrinkles. A year ago, Detroit played home and away games with Pittsburgh, Washington, Chicago, and Toronto. It will do the same with Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Chicago this year, but with a trip to Buffalo and home game against the Senators instead of a Capitals home-and-home.
This year's preseason run will begin at the United Center, visiting the Blackhawks on September 25th and conclude on the road in Toronto on October 5th. NHL teams are required to play between six and eight preseason games, so Detroit is once again at the upper limit of what is acceptable, though of course Red Wing regulars will not dress in all eight contests.
October 5th is a Saturday, suggesting that Detroit will likely open the regular season around the middle of the following week. Getting the regular season rolling more than a full week into October helps explain why today, on the 24th of June, the Stanley Cup will be awarded. Of course, this year's Final is a seven gamer, but the late starts to the season of course show up on the back end. Regardless, Detroit fans now have a firm date at which they can once see their Red Wings in action.
