Michael Stuart: Sizing Up the Atlantic Competition: Detroit Red Wings

I was surprised when the Redwings started out in the eastern conference they didn't have more success.

I thought for sure they'd be tops in the conference right off the bat.

I'm a Red Wings fan and I am not disappointed at all. I think they did just enough. Had they gone after another free agent, I would have been disappointed that one of the young players would have to return to Grand Rapids. I think there are a couple of guys with the Griffins that should be given a legitimate shot at the big show.

waiting for Larkin.

A team who continues to spin their wheels just the Leafs of old. Got to love it.

A team who continues to spin their wheels just the Leafs of old. Got to love it.
- SameOld

Stephen Wiess. That is all.

A team who continues to spin their wheels just the Leafs of old. Got to love it.
- SameOld

hell r u talking about

they have players coming: Larkin is almost ready, Pulkinnen is ready. AA, Mantha, bertuzzi are all in GR as well. Axel Holmstrom is in Europe. theyll get a NHL player or two out of of the group of Jensen, Marchneko, Hicketts, Ouellet, Sproul as well.

The Wings are one of the best of restocking while making the playoffs but it's getting close to the end of the Zetterburg and Datsyuk era, while still the best vets on the team and far from finished someone has to transition to the leadership from the young guys? Who steps into the void when these two step aside, they are getting older and injuries are a problem. Who puts their stamp on this team going forward?

The Wings are one of the best of restocking while making the playoffs but it's getting close to the end of the Zetterburg and Datsyuk era, while still the best vets on the team and far from finished someone has to transition to the leadership from the young guys? Who steps into the void when these two step aside, they are getting older and injuries are a problem. Who puts their stamp on this team going forward?
- tpd11

Dan Cleary

Dan Cleary
- Jurco_28

Danny is going to Toronto, to provide "leadership" on the rebuilding team.

Dan Cleary
- Jurco_28

Yeah right, he will be 37 I asked about the young players stepping into the void not someone in the same category as Z and D

Yeah right, he will be 37 I asked about the young players stepping into the void not someone in the same category as Z and D
- tpd11

ok fine. Jakub Kindl.

ok fine. Jakub Kindl.
- Jurco_28

Maybe you should change your name to Jerkoff 28

The comparison to Toronto...disgraceful.

I am not in the least bit concerned about the post Datsyuk/Zetterberg era. It is true that both are nearing the end of their careers, and they are big skates to fill. That being said, Tatar and Nyqvist remind me a lot of 1st/2nd year Dats/Zett. I also think we have yet to see the best out of Jurco. In the end though, the next big thing in Detroit will be Larkin, followed closely by Mantha...but neither will see much of the NHL this year, if any.

The comparison to Toronto...disgraceful.

I am not in the least bit concerned about the post Datsyuk/Zetterberg era. It is true that both are nearing the end of their careers, and they are big skates to fill. That being said, Tatar and Nyqvist remind me a lot of 1st/2nd year Dats/Zett. I also think we have yet to see the best out of Jurco. In the end though, the next big thing in Detroit will be Larkin, followed closely by Mantha...but neither will see much of the NHL this year, if any.
- WingManDan

Thank you

Maybe you should change your name to Jerkoff 28
- tpd11

what about, Thomas McCollum...

The comparison to Toronto...disgraceful.

I am not in the least bit concerned about the post Datsyuk/Zetterberg era. It is true that both are nearing the end of their careers, and they are big skates to fill. That being said, Tatar and Nyqvist remind me a lot of 1st/2nd year Dats/Zett. I also think we have yet to see the best out of Jurco. In the end though, the next big thing in Detroit will be Larkin, followed closely by Mantha...but neither will see much of the NHL this year, if any.
- WingManDan

I can't wait to see Larkin and Mantha in the NHL. Especially Mantha, If he can put all the pieces together he will be a dominant player.

playoffs for detriot again

Who will step into Z's role as a leader though? Z is one of the best captains in the business, in my opinion, and I am sure there is somebody in that young core that can take over when he's gone, but I don't know enough about the team dynamics to know who that might be.

Who will step into Z's role as a leader though? Z is one of the best captains in the business, in my opinion, and I am sure there is somebody in that young core that can take over when he's gone, but I don't know enough about the team dynamics to know who that might be.
- SolidGoldBricks

I really think Larkin will be the next long term captain.

Who will step into Z's role as a leader though? Z is one of the best captains in the business, in my opinion, and I am sure there is somebody in that young core that can take over when he's gone, but I don't know enough about the team dynamics to know who that might be.
- SolidGoldBricks

my bet is on Larkin

You know, I know the Wings are not what they used to be -- but most of that is due to the Loss of Lidstrom. I have been a Wings fan since 89', and Yzerman was my favorite player but once Lidstrom arrived he brought a stability on the back end that turned the team into greatness... he was so good, that we may never see a player like #5 again.

That is the real reason for the decline in my opinion.

Now in fairness, I think the youth really took a step forward last year... people forget at the 52game mark, the Wings lead the Atlantic -- the issue afterwards, Howard crapped the bed and the 50 million dollar man kept going back to him instead of playing the kid but finally learned his lesson by playoff time.

I believe that the Wings may just have more quality depth coming vs relying on Z/Datsyuk, which could be scary, but it takes time for that youth to step up and the Wings are in the middle of that.

The additions of the veterans this off season, for me at least, will take some pressure off of Datsyuk/Zetterberg and Kronner.

The Weiss decable was bad for Z/Datsyuk but good for our youth, so it may be the best blessing in disguise of em' all.

looking forward to puck drop.

The Wings are one of the best of restocking while making the playoffs but it's getting close to the end of the Zetterburg and Datsyuk era, while still the best vets on the team and far from finished someone has to transition to the leadership from the young guys? Who steps into the void when these two step aside, they are getting older and injuries are a problem. Who puts their stamp on this team going forward?
- tpd11

The Wings have many options for the guys who will take over for Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Currently you have Nyquist and Tatar as the true options. If you look at their first two years and compare them to what Z and Pasha did it's very similar.

Moving down the depth chart you have guys like Jurco and Pulkinnen who should play a more significant role under Blashill. The biggest name has to be Dylan Larkin. The guy is a stud in the making and has 29 other teams envious.

Of course Mantha is a guy you take into consideration but you have to keep an eye on Axel Holmstrom. He looked really good at the rookie camp and put up some impressive numbers in the Swedish Elite League playoffs (broke Sedins record for points by an 18 year old). There's also the most recent 1st rounder Evgeny Svechnikov who isn't anything to sneeze at.

As us Wings fans have become accustomed to, there's always a couple of fresh faces waiting in the wings (pun intended).

I would love to see the Wings deal Howard before the trade deadline to pick up another piece. Pavs, Z, and Kronner deserve another shot at the Cup before they hang them up.