2011-2012 Red Wings Risers and Fallers

The Detroit Red Wings have made the postseason for the past two decades. This isn’t a fluke—the Wings are big spenders who pay for talent. Sure, the pre-cap era was awesome.

But.

Things have changed. The Wings, and other big-money teams, can no longer pay top dollar for free agents. The salary cap makes sure these organizations don’t have an advantage when it comes to adding talent and skill.

This makes evaluating the core of the Wings even more important. Here’s a look at some of the under and overachieving players for Detroit in 2011-2012.

Riser: Jiri Hudler

Jiri Hudler showed a lot of promise his first time around with the Wings. In three full seasons, Hudler's point totals increased. He was a key member of Detroit's Cup win in 2008, notching 14 points in 22 games.

When he left for Russia he was only 25 and had just capped off a 57-point season (23 G, 34 A). Hudler continued to impress in the KHL, averaging a point per game.

He returned to the NHL following the 2009-2010 season, signing a two-year, $5.75 million contract with the Red Wings. Adjusting to the NHL was difficult as he scored only 10 goals in his return (37 points).

At this year's halfway point, Hudler has already amassed 12 goals and 27 points. He is returning to form and living up to his worth. It is a great sign for the Wings.

Riser: Valtteri Filppula

Yeah, the guy is talented.

He broke onto the team in 2006 at the age of 22. He only had 17 points his rookie year, but he saw his role increase the following season. He was a core player in the Wing's 2008 Cup win and return trip in 2009.

Since then, he has stagnated, showing only occasional flashes of brilliance. He plateaued in 2008-2009 with a 40-point (12 G, 28 A) season. This season he has truly grown into a top-six forward. He has tallied 35 points in 41 games (14 G, 21 A) and is on pace for a 70-point season.

If anyone watched the Wings-Islanders game a couple nights ago, Filppula had a chance to add to these totals with a couple goals. This was with Datsyuk out of the lineup, playing the opponents top defense men. With a little more polish, Val may be a point per game player.

Riser: Jimmy Howard

Needless to say, Jimmy Howard had big shoes to fill following Chris Osgood's retirement. Osgood netminded the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups.

The future looked bright when Jimmy took over the reigns during the 2009-2010 season. As a rookie he won an impressive 37 games in 61 starts. In the crease, he posted a 92.4 save percentage and 2.26 GAA. Great numbers for a goaltender, let alone a 'rook.

Howard's numbers took a big dip the following year as he saw his save percentage hover around .900 and GAA increase. Sophomore slump?

Evidently so. Jimmy has been nothing short of stellar this year. To date, he has a GAA of 2.05 and save percentage of 92.4. He leads the league in wins with 24. He has gone from a question mark to Vezina contender.

Faller: Henrik Zetterberg

There is no doubt in Hockeytown about Zee. Detroit knows he is one of the best two-way forwards in the game. He led the Wings to the Stanley Cup in 2008, winning the Conn Smythe as the postseason's MVP.

He has been a point per game player his entire career. This year has been different. He has 32 points in 42 games. What's even more worrisome is that he is on pace for 16 goals this year.

Zetterberg defenders will cite his increase in productivity over the past month or so; but eight goals is inexcusable, especially for a player as talented and skilled as he. For the past several years, Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been 1 a and 1 b. This year the gap has widened, as there is a considerable difference in the their performance.

He doesn't skate nearly as hard, barely drives the net and what about that vaunted backhand? He just seems flat out unmotivated. Maybe he's just tired—he is 31 now.

This point may well be moot—Zetterberg makes his living in the postseason as one of the game's best. And, in my mind, as long he's playing at this level come spring, there's nothing to be worried about.

Faller: Darren Helm

Darren Helm is one of the most exciting Red Wings. His world-class speed and quickness make up for a lack of size.

He hustles more than any player on the team—works harder than any player on the ice. He was rewarded last year with an improvement in production. He finished 2010-2011 with 32 points, up from 24 the year prior. At the the age of 24, there is plenty of potential.

However, he has stagnated this year, recording only four goals and 12 points through the first half of the season. His skill will generate scoring chances, but his finishing abilities are average at best.

How many times have you heard Mickey Redmond say this kid could score 20 goals if he worked on his shot?

Of course, he's not getting top-six minutes—and 24 points is respectable for a grinder/role player. But, most in Hockeytown see the potential in Helm to be a 15-20 goal forward. This year he is not playing at that level and it's disappointing.

Faller: Tomas Holmstrom

It seems like Tomas Holmstrom has been parked in front of opposing goalies for a over a decade. He won't blow by you with speed or work around you with craft, but he still manages to score around 20 goals a year.

During his tenure with the Wings, he was typically a top-six forward; or, at the very least, a fixture on the power play. He would situate himself near the crease to make sure the goalie did not have a clear view of the shot. Not only was he a great screener, but also did well rebounding shots, sweeping the puck to open teammates.

This year, he has not been a fixture in the top six. He has not been getting those goals from a couple feet out. He turns 39 in less than two weeks and has seen his ice-time fall to 12 minutes a night. He is on pace for only 12 goals this year.

Many expect this to be Lidstrom's last year in Detroit—and, as Lidstrom's closest friend—will it be Holmstrom's as well?