The regular season was reduced from its usual 82 games to 48 due to a lockout.
On May 31, 2012, defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom announced his retirement from the NHL after 20 seasons.
[2] Lidstrom won four Stanley Cups and seven Norris Trophies during his Hall of Fame career, all with the Red Wings.
‡Traded mid-season Bold/italics denotes franchise record 24 consecutive home wins The Red Wings have been involved in the following transactions during the 2012–13 season.
The Detroit Red Wings' picks at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 22 & 23, 2012.