hooon

While I agree with that, they still have Luongo, and with him they have one of the best duos in the league. I agree with GMR, they could be one of the teams to beat.

Filppula-Franzen-Datsyuk Nyquist-Zetterberg-Samuelsson Bertuzzi-Helm-Brunner Cleary-Abdelkader-Tootoo Miller, Mursak or Franzen-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi Filppula-Zetterberg-Sammy/Brunner Nyquist-Helm-Sammy/Brunner Cleary-Abdelkader-Tootoo Miller, Mursak Kronwall-White Smith-Ericsson Quincey-Colo/Kindl

I'd love to see a third line of Nyquist-Helm-Brunner. But that would also mean that both Bert and Sammy are in the top 6 which doesn't thrill me.

Datsyuk (signed for 2 more seasons), 34 years old A) Is he still one of the top players in the league at age 34-35? Absolutely. If not for freak injuries the past two years, he would have been a top point producer and in the awards discussions. B) Will he re-sign with the Red Wings after his contract expires? Yes. The "he said he's leaving!!" thing gets way overblown. It was a vague quote that was taken slightly out of context and made into something it wasn't. All he really said that was that he'd like to play in Russia at the end of his career. I believe that is a few years away at least. C) Will Datsyuk's injuries do equal damage with Yzerman's, near the end of his tenure? No. Fortunately they aren't the same kind of injuries. D) How much longer can he play at a high level? At least another few seasons. The longevity of players seems to be extended in the modern era, with better training, medicine, therapy, discipline, etc., many of the elite players seem to be able to last longer than in past generations. E) Predict the economics of his next contract, if there is one. I think he'll sign on one or two year deals from here on out. He will likely make slightly less money, especially if the cap is reduced. Probably around 6mil would be my guess. Zetterberg (signed until 2021), 32 years old A) Is Zetterberg a top 10, top 20, or top 30 player in the NHL? Probably not top 10 anymore, but not too far off. Apart from the slow start, he played amazing. B) Should he play on Datsyuk's wing more or should he center his own line? Center his own line. Having a 1-2 punch of Datsyuk and Zetterberg down the middle is deadly. Apart from Pittsburgh , probably best high end center depth in the league. C) Will he play better, worse or at the same level as the captain of the team? Better/around the same. D) How much longer can he play at a high level? 3 more years at this level, and then a few more where he's at a slightly lower level. I don't see him aging as well as Datsyuk or Lidstrom, however. Just a hunch. E) If he plays until the end of his contract, does his jersey go on the rafters? Intriguing thought, considering the lineage of Red Wings captains before him. Too hard for me to say. If he captains the team to a few more cups, then sure! Franzen (signed until 2020), 33 years old A) As the most polarizing player on the team, do you like him or hate him? I like him. The hatred for him is ridiculous. One of the most valuable players in the league in terms of his production and cap hit. People hate his inconsitency, but that's what he has always been. Even in his best seasons he scored goals in bunches (remember March 08 anyone?). B) Can he still produce close to or over 30 goals at age 33? Yes. C) Is he worth his contract? He is worth WELL more than 3.9 million a year, if that's what you mean. Whether or not he will be worth that much towards the end of the contract remains to be seen. D) Would you void his contract if an amnesty-like clause is introduced in the new CBA? Goodness no. E) Should he be on Datsyuk's wing or Zetterberg's wing It all depends on the makeup of both lines. He'd be fine on both, I prefer him on Datsyuk's wing with Flip on Z's.

Kronwall, 31 years old a) Is he a #1, #2 or #3 defensemen on a cup contender? He's right on the cusp, but still has to prove it this year. b) Will he play better or worse with more overall ice time? Better. His totals will go up, and he will be relied upon more defensively. c) Is he worth his current contract (4.75 mil cap hit, 6yrs)? Absolutely. d) Predict his stats for an 82 game season 14 goals 35 assists. Filppula, 28 years old a) Has he reached his prime? He's right around it, I think the ceiling is even slightly higher, with his defensive game elevated a bit as well. b) Predict the economics of his next contract He could get at least 4.5 on the open market, I think he'll sign fairly longterm around 4-4.3, for at least 5 years depending on the new CBA terms. c) Would you offer him the above contract Yep. He's an important part of the team, even if he wants 4.5 I say we give it to him. d) Should he play on Datsyuk's wing, Zetterberg's wing or center his own line? Either would work. I think it depends who the other linemates are. He is versatile, personally I prefer him with Z, but he's done quite well with Datsyuk in the past. If we had one or two more high caliber forwards I'd love to see him center a third line, but we just aren't there depth wise. Dats, Z, Fil, Helm down the middle looks pretty good though, provided they had the winger depth to make it work, which they don't at the moment. e) Predict his stats for an 82 game season 25g 40a Howard, 28 years old a) Is he a top 10, top 15 or top 20 goaltender? Definitely top 15. Could make a case for top 10, but probably more like 10-12. b) Will his play suffer from the loss of Lidstrom to retirement? Barely, if any. Lidstrom didn't play 60 minutes a night, and the overall defensive system is more important to a goalie's numbers than one individual's play. c) Predict the economics of his next contract He could probably get a lot of money from one of the teams that are desperate in goal. I see him staying with Detroit on a 3ish year deal for between 3 and 4mil. d) Would you offer him the above contract Yes.

If its a weighted lottery, wouldn't this actually entice MORE teams to try to tank in order to get a higher potential draft pick?

I think Z should definitely get a look again. He doesn't have the best shootout numbers, but he has an insane backhand. Filppula obviously has a good chance at it, and I'd love to see either Brunner or Nyquist get some looks on the shootout, especially if it goes beyond 3 rounds.

We're not as old as everyone thinks. Holmstrom is gone. Nyquist and Smith are locks. Tatar has a pretty decent chance and I believe he is still waiver exempt so there's no need to rush him necessarily. If he's not up full time, he'll certainly be the first injury call up. Brunner isn't exactly a youngster, but he's still a fresh face to the team. Like most, I was never wild about the Bert and Sammy signings, but really they aren't that bad. Sammy with 30 goals two years ago, Bert's physical presence, etc. they are pretty decent for the next season or so. Babcock has put both of them on the 3rd line or lower before, so if they aren't performing, or if others are exceeding expectations there's no reason to think Bert and Sammy are locks for the top 6. I think Nyquist and Brunner will certainly get looks on the top two lines. Then after this year, more FAs that could definitely be leaving Detroit.

A new fan during the lockout? This pleases Gary Bettman.

P Kane - Crosby - Burrows Backes-Sharp-Oshie Carcillo-Cooke-Ott Shremp-Talbot-Kunitz Eager Weber-Letang Jackman-Orpik Keith-Niedermeyer (I know he's retired but grrrr!) Fleury Thomas

Awesome goal by Miller there, wow. Thanks for posting the update, glad to see him having some success over there, must be a pretty cool experience.

Cool list. But, Spezza as a 13th forward?

I don't like this news at all. The Wings can't even stay healthy when there's no season.

May 14, 2013. 1pm.

I agree with all of this.

Lebda was NOT a 7 though. Fast, sure. But he could never do anything with that speed except get caught deep in the other team's zone. He was truly disastrous defensively.

Saw the game, no Z as mentioned above. But Brunner, oh man. This kid is good. Looked like the best player on the ice (and there were a few big name NHL players playing). He looks too good for this league, hopefully he can make a smooth transition into the NHL.

This is awesome, thanks so much Drum, your archived games got me through the summer, now hopefully these Griffins games will get me through the lockout. Really looking forward to seeing Jurco play. Also excited about Nyquist, I hope he takes some steps forward this year. While I'm pumped that Z is playing with Brunner in the Swiss league, I can't help but wish that Brunner was on the Griffins instead to get a little NA hockey experience. Looking forward to this.

Yeah no offense OP... But this just makes Tootoo even cooler in my book. I was psyched about the signing (still am) and the fact that he is proud about his heritage does nothing but further endear. Also, you are waaay way wrong about your assessment of his hockey talents.

I actually just watched this game last week, it was a great game. Sergei did indeed look like he was in a lot of pain when he got hit, and I tried to remember if he was out for the rest of the game. Sure enough he came right back in and scored the game winner. Cool article.

3rd and 4th line centers aren't important to a team's success? Did you watch any of the Nashville series when Helm wasn't available?

Even if he has a no trade clause, there is no way I'd want him anymore with that contract. It'd take a hell of a package to get him in the first place and then we'd be stuck with him for 13 more years! I'd be in my 40's by the time the contract is up. (he would be too) 14 years is just ridiculous for any contract.

Meh, it was expected. Could be worse, hope he stays healthy.

We won't be able to roll 5 lines, and there is no way that Emmerton and Mursak are ahead of Tootoo on the depth chart. I'd love to see Nyquist and Brunner get top 6 time over Bert and Sammy.

Yeah anything against the Aves. Some great series against the Blues as well. One that always sticks with me for better or for worse is the 1994 series against the Sharks. The Wings really should have won, but couldn't close it out. It was right in the peak when people were calling the Wings chokers and calling out Stevie Y as a poor leader. That series sticks with me because it felt like this inevitable trial the Wings had to go through in order to achieve their later success, if that makes any sense. 97 and 02 Aves were amazing though.