30 Teams/30 Days: Detroit Red Wings

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Outlook:

After two straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2008 and 2009, with one victory in 2008, how can one think the Detroit Red Wings are worse? Well there are a few answers to that.

With a tight salary cap situation, the Wings did not make very many additions to their roster. Veteran forward Todd Bertuzzi was the most notable free agent signing and Patrick Eaves and Jason Williams were minor additions.

Even with the minor additions, the Wings still have a lot of experience—after all they have been one of the leagues elite teams since 1992. Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg (despite a statistical setback in 2008-09) are still one of the top forwards in the league and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who turned 39 in April, has not lost a step.

More good news for the fans in Motown for 2009-10 is the fact that a lot of potential could be seen on the ice. Some might consider that as a rebuilding process, but with a lot of the experience on the roster—including Kirk Maltby, Tomas Holmstrom, Brian Rafalski, and Lidstrom—the future looks bright in Detroit.

Justin Abdelkader, a hero from the 2007 National Championship team at Michigan State, saw playing time during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Abdelkader, who scored two goals during the Stanley Cup Finals, should start in Grand Rapids (AHL), but could be one of the first ones called up if a roster spot becomes available due to an injury or a scratch.

Another player who could be in a similar situation with Abdelkader is defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. But, with an injury on defense (see below on the defensive outlook), the native of Stockholm, Sweden, could be on the 20-man roster opening night.

Valtteri Filpulla could be one of those under the radar, especially with the departure of Jiri Hudler, who will be playing in the KHL in Russia.

Hudler is just one of the notable departures however that could turn out to be a huge loss. Marian Hossa—yes that guy who lost in the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row, with the Penguins and Red Wings—signed a long-term deal in Chicago, while Mikael Samuelsson signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

That being said, the Wings still have a reliable offense but what about the defense?

Well they still look good, and the top six on the roster all played 60 games or more in 2008-09. Lidstrom is still the quarterback while Rafalski and Niklas Kronwall are still reliable on the power play. Brad Stuart, Brett Lebda and Andreas Lilja will also return in 2009-10, but Lilja is questionable for the start of the year due to previous injuries.

Even with Chris Osgood—who’s one of the best playoff goaltenders of all time—as the No. 1 goaltender, there are still a few questions with his regular season play. Last year Ozzy split time with Ty Conklin, but with Conklin heading to St. Louis, the backup goaltender will finally be former University of Maine standout Jimmy Howard.

With some key players in previous years signing elsewhere, the big question is are the Red Wings still a top team for 2009-10.

In a previous preview, I picked the Chicago Blackhawks to win the Central Division. While that would not put the Wings in the top three in the Western Conference for the playoffs, they are still one of the best out West. They’ll still have home ice for the first round of the playoffs. Beyond that, remains to be seen.

Prediction: Second in Central, Fourth in West.

Projected Lines (Without Andreas Lilja who is questionable):

Henrik Zetterberg – Pavel Datsyuk – Daniel Cleary
Tomas Holmstrom – Johan Franzen – Todd Bertuzzi
Kirk Maltby – Valtteri Fippula – Patrick Eaves
Jason Williams – Kris Draper – Jeremy Williams

Nicklas Lidstrom – Brian Rafalski
Brad Stuart – Niklas Kronwall
Brett Lebda – Jonathan Ericsson

Chris Osgood
Jimmy Howard

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