Red Wings Face Canadiens Amid Contract and Leadership Disputes

Detroit will visit the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with internal disputes and unresolved personnel issues adding pressure to the Red Wings as they begin their first road game of the 2026-2027 NHL season. According to RDS, the Canadiens have an opportunity to face a troubled opponent, although Detroit's offensive talent remains a potential threat.

The Red Wings entered the matchup after losing their opening two games before defeating the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on Tuesday. They then suffered a loss to the Seattle Kraken ahead of their trip to Montreal, according to RDS. After Saturday's game, Detroit is scheduled to return home for three consecutive games.

Detroit's challenges extend beyond its early results. The organization has gone ten consecutive seasons without qualifying for the playoffs, while questions surrounding its leadership, captaincy, and contract negotiations have added to the pressure surrounding the team.

Dylan Larkin has been at the center of one of the disputes. The American forward spent the summer hoping for a trade, but the move never materialized. He subsequently lost the captaincy, missed the opening games because of an injury, and faced boos from Detroit fans during his first appearance of the season, RDS reported.

Larkin responded with two points on Tuesday, helping address supporters' frustration, but the wider situation remains unresolved, according to the report.

Simon Edvinsson represents another significant issue for Detroit. The 23-year-old defenseman has been involved in a contract dispute since July 1 and has yet to sign a new deal. He returned to Sweden to train while negotiations remain unsettled.

Nearly ten NHL teams have expressed interest in the left-shot defenseman, RDS reported. His future remains uncertain as Detroit faces the possibility of either reaching a new contract agreement or trading him.

The team's management situation adds another layer of uncertainty. Shawn Horcoff has been entrusted with leading the organization as interim general manager, leaving Detroit operating under temporary leadership while other issues remain unresolved.

Despite those difficulties, the Red Wings retain considerable offensive potential. According to RDS, their forward group includes experienced players Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Lucas Raymond, alongside younger prospects Emmitt Finnie, Nate Danielson, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.

Montreal also enters the matchup with early-season difficulties of its own. The Canadiens won only one of their first four games after reaching the Eastern Conference Final the previous spring, while injuries have affected Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, Samuel Montembeault, and Kaiden Guhle, according to RDS.

The Canadiens will face Detroit at Centre Bell on Saturday following the Red Wings' loss to Seattle, with both teams looking to improve their early-season results.