Detroit Red Wings

[Ernest Jones]

With the Red Wings losing out on the Parise-Suter sweepstakes does anyone think they can compete this year without another major move? Great team with amazing organizational strengths but they are getting a little long in the tooth.

[GaijinGolfer]

The Wings are done, IMO.

[Ernest Jones]

I've thought that for around 3 years now....

[Jimdangles]

The wings are a dynasty and I dont see them dying down anytime soon. minnesota is gonna be tough to beat this year but detroit has been the favorite out of the western conference for probably the last 10 years. the last third of this season was dissapointing but they were a little injury ridden. They will be competing for probably at least the next 10 years (as long as they have datsyuk and zetterberg signed). They are a great orginization with great management and coaching system. THEY WILL BE AROUND.

I am waiting for my caps to finally win the cup they so deserve. I hope we resign semin but from what I read he is almost exclusively looking elsewhere. I was just telling my buddy tonight he would make a great addition to the wings.

[mosnas]

The Red Wings have a funny way of turning average players into great players who play a huge roll in their franchise.  I don't see them tanking it this year but I think they will finish around 4-6 in the western conference.  But in a more realistic reality the Oilers will crush the western conference and run away with the cup in 16 games in the playoffs.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Jimdangles

The wings are a dynasty and I dont see them dying down anytime soon. minnesota is gonna be tough to beat this year but detroit has been the favorite out of the western conference for probably the last 10 years. the last third of this season was dissapointing but they were a little injury ridden. They will be competing for probably at least the next 10 years (as long as they have datsyuk and zetterberg signed). They are a great orginization with great management and coaching system. THEY WILL BE AROUND.

I am waiting for my caps to finally win the cup they so deserve. I hope we resign semin but from what I read he is almost exclusively looking elsewhere. I was just telling my buddy tonight he would make a great addition to the wings.

My thoughts:

- they don't have a money goaltender. Howard was better in the playoffs this year, but the Wings were too old and too small to take on the Preds who'd put together a lineup with the sole purpose of crushing the Wings. They did crush the Wings. Howard's giveaways and soft goals cost them two years in a row against SJ, but

- Lidstrom was ready for retirement 2 years ago. He coughed the puck up a lot and couldn't keep up with the play at times.

- They really miss Nik, and of course Stuart. It was the play of Stuart that allowed Kronwall to jump into the play and play his predator style. Kronwall is really overdue for getting smashed / blindsided.

- Ericson (sp?) is too soft

- Datsyuk can't do it all. Zetterberg looks worn out. He's a great 2nd line centre but his stats are padded with EN goals.

- Bert has the softest hands since Lemieux, but he's too old and he's always one step away from a bad penalty - plus the refs still evening things out since his Canuck days

- The Mule was a tool in the playoffs - one the softest big men in the NHL.

- The rest of NHL has caught up them regarding their practices, their coaching, and their fitness

- I love the Wings, but they're done (please prove me wrong, guys!)

[Mattplusness]

I'm just waiting for another double digit round pick that turns out to be an all star.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Mattplusness

I'm just waiting for another double digit round pick that turns out to be an all star.

Don't hold your breath - it happens rarely and hasn't happened in a few years.

[Motown88]

The wings will be where they are every year, in the playoffs.  Will they have a Stanley Cup caliber team, probably not.  They will however compete hard like they do every year and extend their streak of making the playoffs.  Despite not landing the top 2 FA the Red Wings have a great core of players that can carry the team far.  They have good goaltending this year and with a new backup behind Howard I think everyone can expect Howard to get a few more days off and with a little luck he'll remain healthy all season.  If Howard is healthy all season then I expect the wings to make a run in the west.

[TJBam]

Been a Wings fan since Fedorov.  The answer here is... hell, I have no idea.

[NuclearMike]

No.  I just don't see the Wings able to win the division,much less go very far in the playoffs.

[Mattplusness]

One of the problems the wings face is that, well, they are the wings.

It seems that no matter what game it is, or what team, or how good of an opponent, the opposition always seems to play the game like it's game 7 of the finals because they have the satisfaction of saying they beat the wings. It's a long season when every game seems to be a do-or-die situation.

[Dakota Atkinson]

I'm just ready to watch the Blues tear them up this year. :)

[Motown88]

Originally Posted by Dakota Atkinson

I'm just ready to watch the Blues tear them up this year. :)

Not gonna happen!

[DFerlmann]

LA Kings baby!!!

[Tom Shanks]

Being a Chicago fan I'm pretty biased, but I fear the Wings are in the same spot I see the Blackhawks being in 5 years from now. You try to keep a group of guys together too long without making any major moves.......you'll eventually see them go down one by one. Maybe it's due to retirement, maybe injury. The game has changed so much that I think it's gonna be rare to see any of these young guys tough it out to 40.