The2015–16Detroit Red Wingsseason was the90th season for theNational Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on September 25, 1926.[1] The regular season began on October 9, 2015, against theToronto Maple Leafs, and former Red Wings head coachMike Babcock, with a 4–0 victory.[2] This season saw the Red Wings extend their playoff streak to 25 straight seasons, the longest in North American professional sports at the time. However, this would be the final season of that quarter-century at or near the top of the league for the franchise, and as of 2025, this remains the most recent season in which the Red Wings have made the playoffs.
On June 23, 2015, the Red Wings finalized their coaching staff,Tony Granato will return as an assistant coach, along withPat Ferschweiler, who was an assistant coach under Blashill with theGrand Rapids Griffins.Dave Noel-Bernier was named video coach, andChris Chelios will evaluate in-game player performance, and will continue to play a role in player development, by working on-ice with the team's defensemen during practices.Jim Bedard will return for his 19th season with the organization as goaltending coach.[4]
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Red Wings. Stats reflect time with the Red Wings only. ‡Traded mid-season Bold/italics denotes franchise record
a TheDallas Stars' third-round pick went to theDetroit Red Wings as the result of a trade on March 1, 2015, that sentMattias Janmark,Mattias Backman, and a second-round pick in 2015 to Dallas in exchange forErik Cole and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[45] The condition – Detroit will receive a third-round pick in 2015 if they do not qualify for the2015 Eastern Conference Final and Cole does not play in 50% of Detroit's playoff games[44] – was converted on April 8, 2015, when Cole was injured for the remainder of the season.[46]
Columbus previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 28, 2014, that sent Edmonton's third-round pick in2014 to Detroit in exchange for a third-round pick in 2014 and this pick.[48]