Scouting The Atlantic Division: Detroit Red Wings

As the season continues to get closer, The Rat Trick takes a look at each of the teams in the Atlantic Division.

The Detroit Red Wings were able to continue to playoff streak alive, all though on a somewhat technicality. They finished in a tie with the Boston Bruins in points, but got the nod due to having more ‘regulation wins’. Where Bruins’ fans were having a problem – Boston actually had more overall wins than Detroit.

A team that has been defined by their veterans for years, Detroit had a changing of the guard if you will last year, relying a fresh group of youngsters that the organization hopes will help continue their playoff streak.

This is maybe no more evident with the departure of Pavel Datsyuk. After spending his entire career with the Red Wings, Datsyuk decided to move back home to Russia and continue his hockey career there. His contract was moved to the Arizona Coyotes.

Forwards

Additions – Frans Nielsen, Joe Vitale, Thomas Vanek, Steve Ott

Departures – Brad Richards, Datsyuk

Dylan Larkin emerged as the face of the new generation of the Red Wings, breaking a trend and making the opening night roster without any time in the minors. He went on to make the All Star team, earn the honor as the league’s fastest skater, and led the team in goals with 23.

If he is to be the team’s top center entering the season, then the Red Wings did a good job in adding a second line center behind him in Nielsen. With the New York Islanders last year, Nielsen registered 52 points (20 G, 32 A).

Gustav Nyqvist and Tomas Tatar both registered over 40 points last year, and are complementary pieces around Larkin. The team isn’t without its veterans, including team captain Henrik Zetterberg. He recorded 50 points in 82 games.

Defense

No major additions

Departures – Kyle Quincey

A total of nine defensemen played for the Red Wings last year, seven of them return. Jakub Kindl was traded at the deadline and Quincey was not resigned (later would end up with the New Jersey Devils).

Niklas Kronwall has been the backbone of the Red Wings’ blue line since Nicklas Lidstrom retired, but he has seen his point production drop in each of the last three seasons. Detroit brought in Mike Green last year to provide some offense from the backend, he would go on and lead all defensemen in points on the team.

Hometown kid Danny DeKeyser signed a six year contract to stay in town for the long term. He will be joined by Jonathan Ericsson, Alexey Marchenko, and Brendan Smith to round out the blue line.

Goaltending

No major additions or subtractions

Detroit will rely on the same tandem they did a year ago, with Petr Mrazek leading the way and Jimmy Howard backing him up.

Last year, Florida and Detroit split the season series two games a piece with the Red Wings outscoring the Panthers by one goal (12-to-11). The two teams will meet for the first time on October 15, the Panthers’ second game of the season.