Five Summer Storylines To Look For With The Red Wings
By Will Burchfield
Despite making the playoffs for the 25th season in a row, the Red Wings bowed out in the first round for the third consecutive year. Though it wasn't a successful season by the standards of the organization, it's fair to say that this Red Wings team reached its ceiling. Needless to say, a bevy of offseason questions await GM Ken Holland and Co. as they gear up for the 2016-17 campaign. Here are five summer storylines worth keeping an eye on.
1. Does Pavel Datsyuk Return?
This is the big one. Since word broke in April that Datsyuk would likely retire from the NHL at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, the Wings have been in limbo regarding the "Magic Man's" future. Datsyuk is on the backside of his prime and carries a $7.5 million cap hit through 2017, but his departure would leave a significant hole at the center position nonetheless. It has been stated that Datsyuk will make his plans known to the Red Wings at the conclusion of the 2016 World Hockey Championships, which end on May 22.
2. How do the Wings proceed in goal?
Or, more to the point, how do they move Jimmy Howard? It's clear that 24-year-old Petr Mrazek has emerged as the team's number one goaltender, but Howard is on the books through the 2018-19 season and carries a $5+ million cap hit to boot. Mrazek, a restricted free agent, will need to be resigned, and to make room for his raise Detroit would be wise to unload Howard. Teams looking for a quick fix in goal – the Flames, Hurricanes and Blue Jackets come to mind – might be worth engaging in negotiations.
3. Can Holland acquire a top-end defenseman?
With Niklas Kronwall, 35, beginning to show signs of wear and Mike Green fading further and further from his 70-point days with the Capitals, the clear reality is that the Red Wings lack a true difference-maker on the blue line. The obvious solution would be targeting Keith Yandle in free agency, although it's possible that Holland might dangle in Tomas Tatar or Gustav Nyquist on the trade market.
4. Who should the Wings pursue at forward?
As far as this year's free agents go, there is Steven Stamkos and there is everyone else. But it's highly unlikely that Stamkos ends up in Detroit, in no small part because of the Wings' tight salary cap situation. But there are a number of high-quality forwards available who won't demand stratospheric salaries, namely the Islanders' Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo and the Kings' Milan Lucic. Nielsen, a strong two-way center, would be a shrewd acquisition should Datysuk decline to return.
5. Who fills out the coaching staff?
The Wings made headlines recently by clearing out the assistant coaching positions under Jeff Blashill. They have since added former NHL defenseman, Doug Houda, to handle the defensemen and the penalty kill, and it is believed that the team's minor league goaltending consultant Jeff Salajko will become the new goalie coach. Blashill is still searching for someone to work with the forwards and concentrate on the power play, which hamstrung the Red Wings all season long, particularly so in the playoffs. As different as the Wings may look next season on the ice, they'll be especially fresh-faced behind the bench.