5 Detroit Red Wings Poised for a Breakout 2014-15 Season

The Detroit Red Wings’ 2013-14 season was salvaged by the performance of some budding young stars and contributions from unexpected sources.

Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar each posted outstanding numbers in their first season as NHL regulars, and Darren Helm racked up points at a career pace despite playing just 42 games.

Detroit will see a healthy mix of young talent and established veterans in 2014-15, and the club’s team-offense approach expects production up and down the lineup.

Whether it’s a young player hoping to build off a solid first season or a veteran looking to bounce back, the talent level in Hockeytown is looking significantly deeper for 2014-15.

These are the five Red Wings poised to break out this coming season.

Honorable Mention

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Anthony Mantha

Anthony Mantha is certainly the future of the Detroit Red Wings offense, but given the current state of the roster, the future is not now.

While Mantha is projected to be an elite scorer down the road, Detroit’s lineup doesn’t have much space to include the 19-year-old. If he performs well in training camp and dominates in the preseason, a roster spot could open up, but it's likely he'll start in Grand Rapids of the AHL.

He feels he’s ready to push for an NHL spot, per Brendan Savage of MLive.com. If Mantha is as good as advertised, the preseason could become significantly more intriguing.

Tomas Jurco

Tomas Jurco is the player that gets a bit of a raw deal. After playing 36 games in the NHL last year, he maintains his waiver-exempt status throughout the 2014-15 season, and it will likely be utilized.

Detroit has a number of players returning to the lineup from injury this season, making Jurco the odd-man out on the bottom two lines. On the plus side, he’s likely going to be the first forward to receive the call to the NHL.

He is now a known commodity with good size that can fit multiple roles. Starting in the AHL may be disappointing, but the extra motivation could bring about positive results when the chance presents itself.

Darren Helm

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Darren Helm is entering September’s training camp in a position he hasn’t enjoyed since the 2011-12 season: healthy.

Helm has played in just 43 regular-season games over the last two years but tied his career high with 12 goals in 42 games in 2013-14.

He could be on the verge of his first 20-goal campaign, and Mike Babcock’s decision to put him on Pavel Datsyuk’s wing presents ample opportunity. Babcock expressed per Ansar Khan of MLive.com:

"

(Helm's) tenacity, pace, heaviness on the puck and because I've got to have room for other guys, I think he can help," Babcock said. "I'm probably going to start him with Pavel, to give Pavel that tenacity to help Pav out a little bit. Helmer can play down low in the zone, too, a bit for him.

"

The return of Stephen Weiss and the arrival of Riley Sheahan creates a glut at the center position, and Helm’s versatility allows Babcock to use some creativity.

While he isn’t the most dynamically skilled forward, he has incredible speed and tremendous work ethic. It all came together for an impressive 2013-14 season, albeit just 42 games.

There is nothing to say that at 27 years old, he may be on the cusp of his prime.

Tomas Tatar

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Some may consider 19 goals and 39 points a breakout season for a rookie, but Tomas Tatar is just scratching the surface.

Among Detroit’s young players, Tatar shows the greatest individual ability to create offense. He possesses a quality balance of speed, vision and hockey IQ that could lead to a bigger 2014-15 season.

His 19 goals finished second on the team, his 39 points good for sixth. A 25-goal year for Tatar could be on the horizon, while 50 points is ostensibly realistic.

He settled in nicely on Detroit’s third line with Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco, earning the title the “Kid line.”

He showed his offensive prowess on multiple occasions, and performed often in big games during Detroit’s playoff push with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in the final 12 games. Of his 39 points, 37 came at even strength.

The 23-year-old will enter his second full season and is sure to see significant time in a scoring role. With Detroit’s top talents expected to be healthy, Tatar will get the opportunity to skate alongside serious skill.

He’ll be counted on for increased production, and he’s sure to be up to the task.

Stephen Weiss

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Stephen Weiss is the one player on this list who is not only poised, but in desperate need of a big season.

After missing 66 games with a groin injury and subsequent surgeries last season, Weiss is finally pain free and ready for training camp.

The 31-year-old is entering the second season of his five-year, $24.5 million contract and hopes to put 2013-14 far behind him, per Bill Roose of DetroitRedWings.com:

"

I’m looking forward to prove that I can still play at a high level and help the team do what they want to do, which is go far into the playoffs and make a run at the Cup…I kinda want to not put a lot of pressure on myself, like I did last year. I just want to do my thing, but it’s going to be a lot of work.

"

Weiss is a four-time 20-goal scorer, playing in more than 74 games in six straight seasons before injuries limited him to a combined 43 games the last two years. A full season centering the second line could produce close to 20 goals and 50 points.

He’ll get every opportunity to establish himself as the team’s second-line center, especially with Darren Helm moving to the wing. Weiss could be flanked by Johan Franzen and Gustav Nyquist following a good camp.

Weiss was never healthy last season, dismissing a nagging groin injury until the pain became unbearable. With a full offseason to rehab, he appears ready to make up for lost time.

Riley Sheahan

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After receiving his call-up to Detroit, Riley Sheahan never looked back and earned himself a regular spot in the lineup.

His 24 points in 42 games also produced a two-year, $1.9 million deal. It is also a one-way contract, meaning he’ll be an NHL regular in 2014-15.

Centering the “Kid line” with Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco, Sheahan showcased reliable two-way play, while showing impressive vision and presence of mind in tough situations.

He saw time on the penalty kill and often lined up against opponent’s scoring lines. He’s a gifted passer and could step into a larger role as the 2014-15 season progresses.

He could be on the cusp of 15 goals and 40 points over a full season. He scored at a 17-goal, 46-point clip last season, so a similar total is well within reach.

He is just 22 years old and shows tremendous promise, but a sophomore slump is possible as well. He’ll likely play alongside Tomas Tatar, but the other wing remains to be seen with training camp still more than a week away.

Danny DeKeyser

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While the previous slides have indicated increases in offensive output, Danny DeKeyser’s breakout year will come in a different facet.

DeKeyser has already shown tremendous poise and reliability on the back end, but his leadership on and off the ice will be evident during the upcoming campaign. The 2013-14 season marked his first full year in the NHL and second postseason experience.

He is the future of this Detroit blue line, and increased time is expected in all facets. He has proved capable in clutch situations, on the power play and against opponent’s top lines.

The 24-year-old finished with four goals and 23 points while averaging 21:38 of ice time in 65 games last year. His plus-10 led all Detroit defensemen, fourth overall on the team.

The extra time is sure to translate in increased offensive numbers, with 10 goals and 30 points a reasonable output.

Although currently still a restricted free agent, DeKeyser has little concern over the situation, per Ted Kuflan of The Detroit News.

His dependability at such a young age proves he’s something special. Detroit would be wise to lock him up long term, as he’s sure to be a staple with the franchise for years to come.

*All statistics and salary cap information provided by NHL.com and CapGeek.com unless otherwise noted.