Having Won The Stanley Cup, What Will The Wings Do To Ensure Success Next Year?

The Detroit Red Wings have won their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 seasons, but with the celebrations coming to an end and the off-season having begun, the question for Detroit is what will they do next year. 

Mike Ilitich and Ken Holland are finishing up the details of a contract extension for Mike Babcock, and while Babcock and can be credited with a lot of the Wings success this year, there are still key players for the Wings whose futures are still up in the air. 

The veteran defenseman, Chris Chelios, is 46 years old, and he may be looking to retire on a high note having won his second Stanley Cup with the Wings 

There is also Dominik Hasek.  At 43, the goalie was pulled in the first round of the playoffs and replaced by Chris Osgood.  Will he be willing to play second banana to Osgood who at age 35 led the Wings again to another Cup? 

As for the rest of the unrestricted free agents, we have Aaron Downey, Dallas Drake, Mark Hartigan, Andreas Lilja, Darren McCarty, and Brad Stuart.  Look for Dallas Drake and Brad Stuart to come back. 

Dallas Drake, while not necessarily a high production forward, brought a very needed physical game each night. Brad Stuart helped to create some of the best defense ever seen in the playoffs.

Aaron Downey and Andreas Lilja may not be back though.  Downey did not contribute much to the playoffs as the Wings favored skill over grit with players like Datsyuk and Zetterberg.  Lilja has not yet proven himself as skilled as the other defenseman.

Then comes Mark Hartigan and Darren McCarty. Mark Hartigan played in 23 games this past season and had 3 goals and 1 assist.  The Wings may let him go as a free agent, to free up space and money for the roster. 

Meanwhile, McCarty who has probably one of the best comeback stories in sports, only played a total of 20 games in both regular and post season and managed 1 goal and 1 assist.  However, he brings the experience of regular and post season.  If he can get back into better shape, he will help with the Wings physical game. 

Next, we have the restricted free agents,  the list includes Jonathan Ericsson, Valtteri Filppula, Jimmy Howard, and Kyle Quincey.  Of the list, look for the Wings to try to retain Valtteri Fippula who at only 24 years old, had two goals in the Finals. 

As for the rest of the Detroit roster, we will need to wait and see.  Also, do not be surprised if Detroit manages to continue with their great scouting at the draft in late June.