NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Ty Conklin, G (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
Marian Hossa, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Dallas Drake, RW (Retired)
Mark Hartigan, C (Signed with Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League)
Dominik Hasek, G (Retired)
2007-08 Season Finish: 1st Central Division, 1st Western Conference, 115 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: 2008 Stanley Cup Champions
Won 4-2 against Nashville Predators in Quarterfinals
Won 4-0 against Colorado Avalanche in Semi-Finals
Won 4-2 against Dallas Stars in Western Conference Finals
Won 4-2 against Pittsburgh Penguins in Stanley Cup Finals
2008-09 Prediction: 1st Central Division, 1st Western Conference
The Detroit Red Wings, one of the most dominant teams in the NHL over the last 17 years, will likely be one of the top teams in the league next season. With a smart front office and a core of veteran players who play well together, the team has found a formula that will keep them competitive for years to come. The team remained virtually intact from last season, and actually got better with the addition of Marian Hossa from Pittsburgh, leading many to believe the Red Wings could repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2008-09. Hossa brings a wealth of offensive depth and talent to an already talented Red Wings roster. Hossa could join Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, two of the league's top two-way and offensive players, on the 1st line, making the Red Wings' top line one of the most dangerous in the league. Valtteri Filppula's rising offensive skills will likely tab him as the 2nd line center. Johan Franzen, who's offensive production exploded late in the season and into the playoffs, will likely carry that production into next season, while Tomas Holmstrom brings a wealth of offensive depth to the team. A combination of Holmstrom and Franzen on the same line could be very frustrating for opposing goaltenders, as both players like to play right in front of the opposing goal. Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, and Dan Cleary all bring lots of two-way experience and offensive depth to the Red Wings checking line, as well as lots of penalty killing experience. Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson bring lots of speed and offensive depth to the Red Wings' offense, respectively. Tomas Kopecky and Aaron Downey bring l0ts of toughness and grittiness to Detroit's offense. Prospect Darren Helm, who's speed and offensive awareness were valuable to the Red Wings in the playoffs last season, could make the team this season at training camp, as well as youngsters Justin Abdelkader, Finnish sensation Ville Leino, and Mattias Ritola. While he is still a free agent, the Red Wings expect to resign Darren McCarty, who will bring a wealth of toughness and gritty play to the team's forward lines.
The Red Wings' defense figures to be one of the best in the league next season. Six-time Norris Trophy winner and future hall-of-famer Nicklas Lidstrom provides tons of offensive experience, leadership, and veteran depth to the Red Wings' blueline, especially on the power play. Brian Rafalski, Lidstrom's defensive partner, also brings a wealth of offensive experience to the team's defense. Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart proved to be one of the most physical defensive pairings in the 2008 playoffs with their toughness and hard-hitting style of play, which will likely carry over into the 2008-09 season. Despite his age, veteran Chris Chelios still brings plenty of leadership, toughness, and defensive play to the Red Wings defense. Andreas Lilja and Brett Lebda also give Detroit's defense plenty of toughness and grittiness. The Red Wings have plenty of defensive prospects who will try to make the team at training camp, including Kyle Quincey, Derek Meech, Jonathan Ericsson, Jakub Kindl, and Logan Pyett, though it's likely most of them will play the season in the minors given the team's depth on defense.
The Red Wings lost some goaltending depth in the retirement of Dominik Hasek, but his shaky play in the playoffs indicated that his playing days were over. Chris Osgood will look to carry over his exceptional play from the 2008 playoffs into the new season as the starting goaltender. To backup Osgood, the Red Wings signed Ty Conklin via free agency due to his fine play with Pittsburgh early in the 2007-08 season when Marc-Andre Fleury went down to injury. However, prospect Jimmy Howard will look to challenge Conklin at training camp for the backup role. The Red Wings' goaltending still remains a little shaky, as Osgood has suffered bouts of inconsistency at times during his career.
STRENGTHS
- Lots of offensive firepower on their forward lines.
- Very strong and talented defense.
- Plenty of quality prospects.
WEAKNESSES
- Goaltending is a little shaky.
- Could use a little more toughness on offense.
- Strong presence of veterans makes it difficult for young players to make the team.
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