The Red Wings aren't shaping up as an obvious buyer or seller at this year's deadline. But can they use it to look ahead to next season?

The Detroit Red Wings begin a four-game Western swing when they face the host Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

In 16 games since McLellan took over, the Red Wings are 11-4-1, riding a three-game win streak as they prepare to head to western Canada on Wednesday. It’s not unusual to see a midseason coaching change bring better results in the NHL, but now more than 30 days in, the Red Wings’ surge has lasted longer than a simple adrenaline rush.

Last season was a coming out party for Detroit Red Wings star forward Lucas Raymond. This season is about Raymond establishing his credentials among the elite performers in the NHL.

It is fascinating to look at the NHL over the same period of time. Kasper is right behind Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon in scoring (both have 12 points). Following behind him are Quinn Hughes (11), Mark Stone (11), and Connor McDavid (11).

Raymond was doing fine before McLellan became Detroit Red Wings coach on Dec. 26. Since then, his game has reached another level. He has 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 16 games under McLellan. He ranks second in the NHL in points during this time, one behind Boston’s David Pastrnak.

Detroit — The feel-good story surrounding the Red Wings currently looks like it's going to stay around a bit longer. Dominik Shine, who made his NHL debut at age 31 in Monday's victory over Los Angeles, appears to be staying at least for the start of the Wings' upcoming four-game road trip Thursday in Edmonton.

The Kings take a two-goal lead in the first period before losing, 5-2, against their former head coach and dropping to 2-5-1 over their last eight games.

The Red Wings showed they're learning how to win after falling behind against a great defensive team like the Kings and scoring five straight goals.

Raymond (one goal, three assists) and Kasper (two goals, one assist) help guide Detroit to second multi-goal comeback win of the season

Elmer Soderblom snapped a tie in the second period and Marco Kasper provided a pair of insurance tallies in the third as the Red Wings defeated the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 at Little Caesars Arena to sweep a three-game homestand. The Red Wings (24-21-5, 53 points) showed their resiliency by battling back from two-goal deficit in the first period.

With each passing day, the Detroit Red Wings are gathering more evidence that their kids are alright. On a night when 31-year-old Dominik Shine was making his NHL debut for Detroit, the fingerprints of the future of the franchise were all over Monday’s 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings.