Detroit Red Wings 2012-13 Season: Looking Ahead to Changes That Need to Be Made

With the 2011-12 season ending tonight, the Detroit Red Wings need to reload. The confidence that Ken Holland has put into this year’s edition bordered on arrogance as the Wings let the trade deadline pass without significantly upgrading their talent pool.

The promotion of Gustav Nyquist and Brendan Smith offer a glimpse into what the youth of the organization may bring, but there is a considerable drop off beyond those two. Let’s start from the back and move forward to address the top needs for Hockeytown as we head into the offseason.

In goal, Jimmy Howard showed during the regular season that he was certainly ready for prime time. With Vezina-worthy numbers before getting injured, Howard was an anchor for the franchise that took them to the top of the NHL at the All-Star break. The Red Wings' slide after his injury was definitely not a coincidence. Joey MacDonald played admirably in his absence when Ty Conklin faltered.

The Red Wings will have to decide on one of the two as a backup before heading into next season. MacDonald’s age gives him the edge over Conklin, who could retire after this season. It might be worth looking into picking up a cheap free agent to challenge Joey Mac for the backup spot. MacDonald seemed to play better when he was in fear of losing his place.

Defense starts and ends with Nick Lidstrom’s decision. As a loyal Red Wing for 20-plus years Lidstrom deserves the option to stay or go as he pleases. Ken Holland cannot allow Lidstrom to waffle on a decision for too long before he starts looking for a replacement.

In fact, I believe that Holland should look for his heir apparent regardless if the captain stays or goes. It will cost a fortune to get Shea Weber or Ryan Suter out of Nashville, but Holland needs to get one of the Preds defensemen at whatever cost. Either price Nashville out of signing both or simply out-bid the Central Division rivals for one or the other.

Detroit’s mental lapses on defense were never so apparent against the aforementioned Preds in Round 1. Brad Stuart may or may not have resolved his “family issues” in California. Stuart has been a warrior for Detroit during his time in Motown, but I don’t think he’s an elite defenseman.

If Stuart can't be re-signed, Jonathan Ericsson can fill his role next to countryman Nik Kronwall. Kyle Quincey can take a hike as far as I’m concerned. A non-physical defenseman who turns over the puck in his own end is not what Detroit needs. Maybe if he was paired with Stuart or Suter/Weber Detroit could survive his liabilities. The fact is that Quincey’s presence on the roster means that Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl are not.

I liked Ian White this year, but he seemed to struggle without Lidstrom.

 Here are my projected pairings for next year:

• 1. Suter/Weber-Kronwall
• 2. Stuart/Smith
• 3. Ericsson/White

With Kindl and Quincey rotated in or just Kindl rotated in and Quincey gone.

On offense some of the dead weight just needs to go. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Helm, Fillipula, Nyquist and Abdelkader are the only untouchables. Bertuzzi, Emmerton, Cleary, Miller and Franzen are all under contract. Eaves may or may not be able to come back from his brutal injury. Holmstrom and Hudler are free agents. Homer needs to retire, and probably knows it. He has no value except for his willingness to be a bulls-eye/punching bag on the power play.

Hudler poses an interesting situation. While his numbers suggest that re-signing him should be a priority, his relatively small stature and unwillingness to go to the corners might make Detroit look elsewhere. Hudler may be having a career year, but does Detroit want to commit to a big contract with him, or use that money to lure a Zach Parise or Ryan Suter?

 Here are my four lines for 2012-13:

• 1: Nyquist-Datsyuk-Parise/Semin
• 2. Filipula-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi
• 3. Abdelkader-Helm-Franzen
• 4. Cleary-Emmerton-Miller

I say let Hudler get overpaid somewhere else. If we can package Franzen in a trade for a grinder I say go for it. As a power forward, he takes too many nights off, and is more forward than power. The Red Wings might actually have too many Europeans on their roster. Pick up Paul Gaustad on the cheap, or Brandon Prust, to add some grit and bulk to the lineup. Nashville is currently exploiting an undersized, under-physical and unmotivated roster.

Big changes to a roster means that the cage has been rattled and the comfortable players have been put on notice.

A 21-year playoff run is impressive considering the four Stanley Cups that have been lifted over that time. During that time the Red Wings have had to make adjustments, and this year should see some of the bigger changes in recent memory. The core of this team is still probably the best in the league; some minor tweaks here and there will have Detroit once again gunning for the Stanley Cup in 2013.

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