The Daily: Horcoff Trying to Clean up Red Wings Mess; Copp’s Goal History

October 16, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If you are thinking the Detroit Red Wings have no reason to feel a little bit better about themselves, then you have already forgotten where the Red Wings were two weeks ago.

This morning, the Red Wings have earned points in four of their last five games. Their top goal scorer Alex DeBrincat is locked in for seven years. Emmitt Finnie looks comfortable as the No. 2 center. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff is on record saying he has no intention trading RFA Simon Edvinsson.

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It also helps that Horcoff is committed to giving younger players a greater chance to shine.

This isn’t to suggest that everything is rosy for this team. It’s not. The messiness of this summer has not been mopped up. A trade of Dylan Larkin still seems likely. This team is still offensively challenged. And Edvinsson’s name still isn’t on a Red Wings contract.

Andrew Copp scores to put the Red Wings up 2-1 with 4:38 left in the third pic.twitter.com/iGMwdlOBMi
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 16, 2026

But when you read Detroit Hockey Now’s recent stories about the team there, you sense a bit more positivity than what we were hearing on the opening days of the season. The Red Wings beat the winless Flyers, but it still helps bolster their confidence. There’s no guarantee they will re-sign Edvinsson. He is likely still miffed about how this has dragged out, but Horcoff does believe he can get it done. Max Smith’s story suggests that climbing to the right contract numbers shouldn’t be insurmountable.

At some point, they will trade Larkin and if Horcoff can land at least one proven performer, a player who can score, the damage can be reduced.

In Case You Missed It

Is Michael Rasmussen ever going to score another NHL goal? His drought is lengthy.

An unexpected Red Wings goal was crucial to Detroit’s win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Defeyynseman Anton Johansson is proving he’s ready for his Red Wings opportunity.

Red Wings Extra

Andrew Copp’s key third period goal vs. Philadelphia fits his history in Detroit. He doesn’t score often but does boast some meaningful goals for Detroit. Since joining the team, he has netted 12 third period go-ahead goals. That’s fourth in the Red Wings. Lucas Raymond has 17, while Alex DeBrincat and Moritz Seider boast 13 each.

Hockey Now Digest

Florida: Brady Tkachuk has emerged from his scoring drought. Florida Panthers.

Montreal: Marco Dumont points out the good and the bad about the Canadiens’ start. Montreal Canadians.

Philadelphia: Everyone is calling and the Flyers are not to listen to trade offers. They don’t want to act out of desperation. Philadelphia Flyers.

San Jose: Macklin Celebrini believes the Sharks are indeed turning the corner to contention. San Jose Sharks.

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