The Detroit Red Wings haven't made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. It might be a while before they return.
The rebuild could be a slow one for the Red Wings, who come in 27th in ESPN's NHL future power rankings, which projects where the 31 teams stand for the next three years.
ESPN gives the Red Wings an overall score of 71.6 in the rankings posted Tuesday, placing them in the "C" range on their grading scale.
"When the Red Wings' dynastic run fizzled out, all that was left was the memories and bloated contracts," writes Emily Kaplan, an ESPN hockey reporter.