BT's 2008/09 NHL Season Preview: The Detroit Red Wings

The only problem this team might face is in net. There’s no doubt that Chris Osgood was outstanding during the regular season (27-9-4, .914 save-percentage, 2.09 goals-against-average) and even better during the playoffs (14-4, .930 save-percentage, 1.44 goals-against-average), but he’s also 35.

Granted Dominik Hasek was 43 last year and he won 27 games, but whenever a goalie starts getting up there in years, you have to wonder how long they can last.

I’m also wondering about Ty Conklin. In a lot of ways, Ty was the down-and-out, claw-your-way-back-in story of the NHL this season, as (following a playoff-gaffe in the finals with the Oilers a few years ago) Conklin had bounced from club to club in the NHL and AHL, but was able to turn it around and post a near-identical season to that of starter Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins in Fleury’s absence.

If either (or both) Osgood or Conklin run into trouble however, expect 24 year-old Jimmy Howard to start seeing more than the four games he’s seen each of the past two years in Detroit. After a respectable AHL career, Howard’s well-deserved shot is just around the corner (Especially with Conklin on a one-year deal).

 

So what does it all mean?

Red Wings fans have nothing to worry about. The same team that won the championship is returning from last season, but they've also added a dynamic forward in Marian Hossa. Besides, if the Wings run into trouble, it's not like they don't have the ability to heal what ails them.

I don't think anyone doubts however, that this team will challenge for the top spot in the league once again. The Central still isn't quite strong enough to deal directly with the Red Wings at full force, so expect the Wings to have a strong season, and don't look for this team to fold come playoff time.

 

First in the Central Division

And now, with The View from the Community Leader Pressbox with Henry Dyck:

The Wings' success is built from the blue line out. With the addition of Hossa and the continued development of Franzen and Filpulla, the Wings will have more depth up front than last year.

 

Well that's it for the Central division folks. Hope you enjoyed it. See you soon with the Pacific Division.

Bryan Thiel is a Senior Writer and NHL Community Leader for Bleacher Report. You can get in contact with Bryan through his profile, and you can also read all of his previous work in his archives.

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