Sep 15, 2015
New coach, same winning approach for Wings
The Detroit Red Wings extended their streak of reaching the playoffs to 24 straight seasons, but this summer brought organizational change anyway, as head coach Mike Babcock departed to join the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Detroit Red Wings extended their streak of reaching the playoffs to 24 straight seasons, but this summer brought organizational change anyway, as head coach Mike Babcock departed to join the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Enter Jeff Blashill, who has been coaching the Wings’ AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. If the Wings are going to continue with their annual postseason trips, the new coach will need a smooth transition.
There is still a solid core in place, but Detroit’s best players – Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg – are in their mid-thirties, and they added veteran Brad Richards in free agency, so the time is nearing for younger forwards to take on increased responsibility. That may be even more important this season as Datsyuk underwent ankle surgery in the summer, but Detroit does have a lot of forwards on the way up, including Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, Riley Sheahan, Teemu Pulkkinen and Tomas Jurco. Prospects Dyland Larkin and Anthony Mantha may not be too far from making a contribution too.
Detroit’s defence has been okay, but a relatively unspectacular group, led by Niklas Kronwall and Danny DeKeyser, but free agent addition Mike Green does add a playmaking element and, almost as importantly, a right-handed shot!
Goaltending could be a position of change, as Petr Mrazek started in the playoffs and could have the edge on veteran Jimmy Howard. At the very least, the duo should combine to give the Wings an above-average tandem between the pipes.
For a team with consistently strong possession numbers, that may be enough to extend their playoff streak.
OFF-SEASON HEADLINES
June 9: Red Wings hire Jeff Blashill as new coach
June 26: Datsyuk has surgery, start of camp in question
July 1: Richards inks one-year contract with Red Wings
July 1: Red Wings sign defenceman Mike Green to three-year deal
2015-16 DETROIT RED WINGS
* Off-season Addition
Projected Lineup
LW | C | RW |
---|---|---|
Henrik Zetterberg | Pavel Datsyuk | Justin Abdelkader |
Gustav Nyquist | Brad Richards* | Tomas Tatar |
Darren Helm | Riley Sheahan | Teemu Pulkkinen |
Drew Miller | Luke Glendening | Tomas Jurco |
Johan Franzen | Joakim Andersson | Landon Ferraro |
Fighting For Jobs: RW Daniel Cleary, C Dylan Larkin, C Andy Miele
Projected Pairs
LD | RD |
---|---|
Jonathan Ericsson | Niklas Kronwall |
Danny DeKeyser | Mike Green* |
Brendan Smith | Kyle Quincey |
Jakub Kindl |
Fighting For Jobs: RD Alexey Marchenko, LD Xavier Ouellet
Projected Goalies
No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 |
---|---|---|
Jimmy Howard | Petr Mrazek | Tom McCollum |
Off-season Departures: C Stephen Weiss
Projected Lineup: Ted Kulfan/Detroit News
SERAVALLI'S THREE QUESTIONS
1. Will top prospect Dylan Larkin break training camp with the Red Wings?
2. Will Pavel Datsyuk be ready for the regular season?
3. How will Johan Franzen look after an extended absence due to concussion?
BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS
Top 2015-16 Prospect
C Dylan Larkin (Michigan, NCAA): He's fast, can disrupt opponents with his speed as well as create opportunities. Great competitor.
Long-Term Prospect
C Axel Holmstrom (Skelleftea, SweHL): Excellent all around game and can contribute in a multi-faceted manner.
* Listed with 2014-15 teams
BY THE NUMBERS
Three-Year Breakdown (League Rank)
2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
---|---|---|---|
Points | 96 (13th)* | 93 (15th) | 100 (12th) |
Goals For | 2.5 (T-19th) | 2.7 (16th) | 2.8 (10th) |
Goals Against | 2.3 (5th) | 2.7 (16th) | 2.6 (15th) |
Power Play | 18% (15th) | 18% (18th) | 24% (2nd) |
Penalty Killing | 82% (12th) | 83% (12th) | 81% (T-16th) |
SAT% Possession | 53.6% (5th) | 51.5% (9th) | 53.5% (3rd) |
* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total
ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $71.7M/$71.4M
The Wings are going to be scrambling to stay under the cap. Having a seventh defenceman, Jakub Kindl, on the payroll for $2.4-million presents a challenge, but there are enough entry-level deals that could be moved to the AHL to create room. If Pavel Datsyuk starts the season on LTIR, that could allow a little more room to maneuver.
PARTING SHOT