This article is part of our Team Previews series.
Heading into 2013, the Red Wings were optimistic that with the additions of Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss, they'd build off a season where they pushed the world champion Blackhawks to the brink of elimination. However, a rash of injuries derailed those hopes, and while Detroit snuck into the playoffs, the Red Wings made a quiet exit at the hands of the Bruins.
Yet those injuries gave the Red Wings hope for the future, as a handful of youngsters more than ably filled in and willed Detroit to its 23rd straight playoff berth. Names like Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar came to the forefront, and others like Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco helped out as needed. Although the Red Wings did not get a blueliner like they wanted in the offseason, the team remains loaded with enough young and veteran talent to make some noise in the postseason, if they can stay healthy.
Much of that success rests in the glove of goalie Jimmy Howard. Howard dealt with an occasional injury and inconsistency all season long, and finished the season with a rough 2.66 goals against average. If he can recapture his form from the two previous seasons, the Red Wings are at least a fringe Stanley Cup contender. If he continues to struggle, there could be trouble in Detroit.
The Big Guns
Henrik Zetterberg, LW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #16): Zetterberg dealt with major back issues in 2013-14, but was stellar when healthy, putting up 48 points
Heading into 2013, the Red Wings were optimistic that with the additions of Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss, they'd build off a season where they pushed the world champion Blackhawks to the brink of elimination. However, a rash of injuries derailed those hopes, and while Detroit snuck into the playoffs, the Red Wings made a quiet exit at the hands of the Bruins.
Yet those injuries gave the Red Wings hope for the future, as a handful of youngsters more than ably filled in and willed Detroit to its 23rd straight playoff berth. Names like Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar came to the forefront, and others like Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco helped out as needed. Although the Red Wings did not get a blueliner like they wanted in the offseason, the team remains loaded with enough young and veteran talent to make some noise in the postseason, if they can stay healthy.
Much of that success rests in the glove of goalie Jimmy Howard. Howard dealt with an occasional injury and inconsistency all season long, and finished the season with a rough 2.66 goals against average. If he can recapture his form from the two previous seasons, the Red Wings are at least a fringe Stanley Cup contender. If he continues to struggle, there could be trouble in Detroit.
The Big Guns
Henrik Zetterberg, LW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #16): Zetterberg dealt with major back issues in 2013-14, but was stellar when healthy, putting up 48 points in 45 games. He also made a surprise return in the playoffs, scoring two points in two games. He's had worrisome foot weakness in the offseason, but the Detroit captain claims he'll be fine in time for training camp. Zetterberg is 33, but remains one of the premier playmakers in the league and should give fantasy owners about a point-per-game performance if he remains healthy.
*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*
Niklas Kronwall, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #24): While nobody can fill Nicklas Lidstrom's shoes, Kronwall has done a nice job mimicking Lidstrom's scoring ability, collecting 49 points in 79 games last season. The heavy hitter is a stellar all-around defender, and is regularly one of the better fantasy defensemen in the NHL. He could use a more prolific power-play partner, but he still should end up with about 50 points for the upcoming season. Fantasy GMs should look to select him among the top 20 defenders; any later could be a steal.
Jimmy Howard, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #17): Howard struggled mightily in 2013-14, watching his 2.10 GAA from the past two seasons balloon up to 2.66. His backup had only five fewer wins in many less starts, and Howard is certainly itching to prove doubters wrong in the upcoming campaign. Odds are high last season was an anomaly, but if Howard comes out of the gate slow, the murmurs in Detroit are only going to get louder. Jonas Gustavsson may begin to poach starts if Howard's struggles rage on.
On the Rise
Gustav Nyquist, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #28): Nyquist nearly single-handedly helped push Detroit to a playoff spot in 2013-14, scoring 28 goals and 20 assists in just 57 games. He looked a little overwhelmed in the playoffs, but the 24-year-old is clearly a star in the making. He is primed for a big season in 2014-15, and could move into the top tier of fantasy wingers. While a slump is possible in his second true NHL season, odds are good that he finds another gear and eclipses his performance.
Tomas Tatar, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #26): Tatar scored 19 goals and 20 assists in a breakout effort for the Wings last season, taking part in 73 games. The 23-year-old displayed a knack for offense alongside Gustav Nyquist, and should be a force in Detroit for years to come. He has the potential to be a 50-plus point scorer and is a decent sleeper pick in drafts. Those who are a part of keeper pools should take note: much like many Red Wings before him, his development has been according to formula. A continuation of last year's stellar play is likely in the cards for him.
Two to Watch
Stephen Weiss, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #118): Weiss' first season in Detroit could not have gone much worse, as a sports hernia limited him to 26 games. He also was ineffective when healthy, only scoring four points. He'll have something to prove in 2014-15, and the Red Wings are hoping he can return to the days when he'd score 50 to 60 points a year. They will give him another shot at one of the top center spots, but Weiss clearly needs to show more than he did last season. It's probably wise to avoid drafting him in most leagues, and instead pick him off of waivers should he show the makings of a comeback year.
Danny DeKeyser, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #77): DeKeyser had a solid rookie season, tallying 23 points and a plus-10 rating in 65 games. The 24-year-old has star potential, but it may take another year or two to fully realize it. He should grab around 25 to 30 points this season if he can stay healthy.
Don't Overrate
Pavel Datsyuk, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #34): A knee injury plagued Datsyuk in the middle of 2013-14, and limited him to only 45 games. He did score 37 points and was one of the few players to play well in the playoffs for Detroit, but the Magic Man is 36 and the team has to hope his body isn't starting to give. When healthy, he displayed his usual wizardry, and Detroit may give him a few more games off this season to preserve him down the stretch. Datsyuk should be good for about a point a game if he can stay healthy. As one of the elite players in the NHL, he will go early, but drafters should be cognizant that they may not get a full season out of him.
Jonas Gustavsson, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #48): Gustavsson had about as stellar of a season as one can hope for from a backup, going 16-5-4 with a 2.63 goals against average. Jimmy Howard's struggles and injury issues gave him a lot of work, and Gustavsson took full advantage. Though he had a similar goals against average and save percentage to Howard, Gustavsson somehow had a far better record. The 2013-14 season was likely an anomaly for both Gustavsson and Howard, so don't expect another 16-win season from the backup.
Top Prospects
Anthony Mantha, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #3): Mantha has torn up the QMJHL the last two seasons, including a 120-point and plus-34 season in 2013-14. The Red Wings have high hopes for the burly winger, but it will probably take another year or two before he gets a hard look with the parent club. While he won't be eligible to play in another World Juniors, he will likely have more than enough playing time in the AHL to make up for it. Mantha did suffer a fractured tibia during September's prospects tournament, but he's expected to be ready to go at some point in November.
Teemu Pulkkinen, RW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #55): Pulkkinen was one of the premier contributors for AHL Grand Rapids last season, scoring 31 goals and 28 assists in 71 regular season contests and potting another 11 points in 10 playoff games. He didn't do much in his three games with the Red Wings in 2013-14, but should get a shot at making the team in the fall.
Andreas Athanasiou, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #92): Athanasiou finished the season with AHL Grand Rapids after torching the OHL for 49 goals and 95 points. He should get a chance to make some noise in the AHL full-time this season.
