The 1985–86 season was the team's 60th season, their 54th season as the Red Wings. The Red Wings missed the playoffs by finishing dead last in the Norris Division, the Clarence Campbell Conference, and in the entire National Hockey League with a record of 17 wins, 57 losses and 6 ties, for a total of 40 points, the worst record in franchise history In addition, they finished the season with the fewest goals scored of all NHL teams, the most goals against, and the most penalty minutes.

Offseason

Regular season

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

Playoffs

Player statistics

Regular season

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus-minus PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals; MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA=Shots against; SV=Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

This team set the NHL record for most fighting majors in a season with 154.

Transactions

Draft picks

Detroit's draft picks at the 1985 NHL Entry Draft held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario.

Farm teams