Can The Red Wings Stay As a Top Contender?

There is question that the Red Wings might be tired, and just might not have the drive to continue having strong seasons and playoff runs.  That is possible, but look at it another way.  Last season, even though the Red Wings got to the finals, that was their championship hangover year.   Many players had bad years, including: Osgood; Zetterberg; Cleary; Filpulla; even Lidstrom.  Then to lose in game seven in Detroit was heartbreaking, so I think the Wings have a lot to play for to prove they still have what it takes to be a top contender.  The Wings still have all the key players; they’re still a tight group.  Yes, they lost some goals with Hossa and Hudler leaving but this now allows other players to step up to score.  Like I said, a lot of players had bad, low scoring seasons; this is their chance to make up for their lackluster performances.  Even though a couple players left, this is still pretty much the same group that won the Stanley Cup the year before…which Hossa wasn’t a part of.  I don’t understand why the Wings are counted out now that he left, when they won it the year before without him. 

What needs to be seen is that the defense can get on track.  It was terrible last year.  Everyone was all over the place, I don’t know if that was because of poor coaching or the players were just doing poorly but that needs to be fixed.  The Wings NEED solid goal-tending.  They received it in the postseason, but you can’t get there without having a solid regular season.  The Wings need players to step up this year, put that extra effort in to finish plays and score goals. 

In the weeks to come we will see who and what the Wings have to work with.  We will see which goaltenders will stay.  Will Cloutier turn is career around with the team that “destroyed” it?  We know what the guys from Grand Rapids are capable of, so let’s see how well they do when they’re with the team the whole season.  Personally I have a feeling that Leino will be a breakout star.  He is tough to knock off the puck, has a great shot, and great hands.  I think he could be as good as Hossa if not better.  In the upcoming weeks, the Wings will see which lines work best together… can Williams produce in his second time around with the Wings?  Will Eaves be the next Cleary?  Does Bertuzzi still have it in him to play tough and score goals?  Will Datsyuk finally make it to 100 points or beyond?

There are quite a few questions surrounding the Red Wings at the moment, and only time will tell when and what the answers will be.