Detroit Red Wings: 5 Moves to Bring the Cup Back to Detroit

As another season ends in disappointment, it is evident that the Detroit Red Wings need to make some serious changes.

The 2011-2012 season will forever be a season of what-ifs.  

The Red Wings ended the month of February as the No. 1 team in the NHL. 

It was only two months ago that the Red Wings were a very good 41-17-2. They were on pace for about 55 wins, a No. 1 seed and another President's trophy. A third finals appearance in five years looked imminent.

But when the injuries poured on, the Wings drastically fell to the fifth seed in the West ending the season, and could never regain momentum. They ended the season with a dreadful 6-11-4 record and an early exit in the playoffs. Now many question if this roster is even capable of winning a Stanley Cup. Here are 5 moves that will make it possible.

5. Time to Cut Ties

Old lineup:

Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Franzen
Filppula-Zetterberg-Hudler
Cleary-Helm-Abdelkader
Holmstrom-Emmerton-Miller

A very solid lineup, no doubt about that. The Red Wings were in the top five in scoring for the better part of the season. But the grind of the season and speed and youth of the new NHL is not something this roster is built to endure.

No one can deny their love for Tomas Holmstrom, but it is indeed time for him to go. Homer has performed admirably for 15 seasons in Detroit, be he is no longer in the shape to contribute for this Red Wings team. For a team that needs to get younger and faster, Holmstrom is the opposite of what the Red Wings need right now.

I also love Dan Cleary, but he is hurt more often than not. On a team that lacked forward depth, Cleary was not a reliable contributor.

Jiri Hudler had a much better season after his dreadful return from Russia. He was one of the top scorers on the Wings. But on a team that needs more grit and players that are willing to do dirty work, Jiri Hudler does not fit. And besides, on a line with superstars such as Filppula and Zetterberg, who wouldn't have a career year?  

Now to our top goal scorer Johan Franzen.  I am in no way saying Johan Franzen needs to go, but I wouldn't be opposed to it if the deal was good. His contract would make that difficult, but I think it would be wise to shop him around.  

I'm not suggesting a roster blow-up is necessary, but "Mr. Postseason" hardly lived up to his reputation. He is having lackluster seasons, despite playing with arguably the best hockey player on this planet. He had only one point in the five-game series, his only goal coming off from a lucky bounce off his shin. 

Defenseman Kyle Quincey creates an interesting situation. He was the defender acquired before the trade deadline. To many he was a failed experiment- he was a turnover machine at times, seemed shaky and unreliable with the puck. But he is young, talented, and with time could be a very good defender for Detroit. Re-signing him is up in the air. If it does occur, it better be at a low price. But someone like him might want more money, and with Ryan Suter available, I hope Holland doesn't pay too much for him

Not only is it in my opinion that the Red Wings could be better without these players, but the cap room they will create can bring in some superstars to Detroit.

4. Give a Top-Six Role to Gustav Nyquist

Gustav Nyquist is a stud. Filling in on the fly, he was able to hang with any line he was put on. First line, fourth line, you name it. Nyquist was willing and able to contribute on any line. He is extremely skilled and talented, and it would be wise to give him a top-six spot.

Mike Babcock highly believes in Nyquist and his ability to not only hold on to the puck, but also make players around him better.  

Nyquist's season saw him amass seven points in 18 games, despite only averaging 10 minutes a game—a very solid performance from a rookie who came in toward the end of the season.

It would be a good investment by Detroit to give him a major role. He is youthful and brings energy, speed and a lot of skill to the table.

3. Physical Forwards

One no-brainer that the Red Wings lack: gritty, big, bottom-six forwards. I was one of the many that was hoping Ken Holland would address that at the trade deadline, but he instead went a different route in the acquisition of Kyle Quincey—something I'm sure Holland would love to rewind if he had the chance.

The Red Wings have no enforcer (unless you consider Bertuzzi), or much size at all.

It is time for the Wings to go after some of these players. Brandon Prust, Zack Kassian, Travis Moen and Paul Gaustad-type players.

Forward depth was not a strength by any means for the Wings, and that needs to change in order for a long playoff run to occur. The teams that can endure the playoff grind have forward depth.

Signing these type of players and re-signing Abdelkader and Helm will result is a great bottom six.

2. Time for a Superstar Who Actually Shoots the Puck

It is time to go big—2008 big. Time for a blockbuster deal like Holland pulled off in 2008 with Marian Hossa. Holland needs to go after a goal-scoring forward.  

I have always dreamed of a line that features Zach Parise or Alexander Semin with Pavel Datsyuk. And this offseason may make that dream a reality.

The Wings need goal scorers. Badly. They have no shortage of great players who love to pass the puck. What they need now is someone who enjoys shooting the puck. There hasn't been a 40-goal scorer in Detroit since the 2008-2009 season. This season no one reached the 30-goal mark.

The cap room is there, and given the departures I mentioned earlier there should be plenty of space for Parise or someone like him. He is everything the Red Wings desire. He is one of the premier two-way players in the NHL. He scores goals, plays with a purpose and has grit. He addresses almost all the needs of the Red Wings in one player.

If not Parise, there many other goal scorers on the market. Alexander Semin is one. Although he would be controversial, I would love to see him next to Datsyuk, his fellow Russian teammate.  His lack of a two way game may drive Mike Babcock crazy, but at his best, Semin might be the best shooter in the league. And the Red Wings are in desperate need of someone who shoots the puck.  He has a b-e-a-utiful shot. Goalies will weep at the idea of having to face a Datsyuk-Semin line.

Also, a guy like Shane Doan would be good because he score goals, and that is what the Red Wings need. 

Bottom line here is the the Red Wings need guys who know how to pull the trigger.

1. Defense

No. 1 goal of the offseason: re-sign one of the best defenders of all time. Nick Lidstrom's return or retirement will determine the outlook of this offseason.  

In a perfect world, he would re-sign for roughly the same amount of money as last year. If Stuart stays, he will be re-signed. Even with the re-signing of Lidstrom, the Red Wings still should have the ample cap room to pursue Ryan Suter.

If Lidstrom stays:

• Attempt to sign Stuart
• If Stuart departs, still aggressively pursue Suter
• If not Suter, go after a Matt Carle-type defender

If BOTH Lidstrom and Stuart depart:

• Do everything possible to sign Suter
• Go after several solid defensemen like Matt Carle and Jason Garrison

It is not in the nature of Holland to pursue RFAs, so I think Shea Weber is out of the equation.