Team Preview: Detroit Red Wings

2010-2011: 104 points, 3rd in Western Conference, Central Division champions
Key additions: D Mike Commodore, D Ian White, G Ty Conklin
Key departures: D Brian Rafalski, D Ruslan Salei, C Mike Modano, G Chris Osgood

Why they'll contend: Let's face it: they're the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are mighty every year and 2011-2012 figures to be no different. Nicklas Lidstrom is back for one more season, solidifying a back end that is slightly thinned with the loss of Brian Rafalski. Mike Commodore and Ian White are nice pieces, but Rafalski is a top-four defenseman whose skill set is a little more difficult to replace. The Wings are still loaded from top-to-bottom and even as they age there's no reason to think they won't be there at the end of the season. With Pavel Datsyk, Henrik Zetterburg, Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom--you get the picture--leading the way, there's no reason to doubt Detroit yet again. While they may not be the odds-on favorite to take home Lord Stanley's chalice next June, they will certainly be hanging around when the weather turns warm again next spring.

Why they'll falter: Jimmy Howard was fantastic last year between the pipes, but he has to be even more so to push the team to the next level in 2012. Wings management does not appear sold on the University of Maine alum and Howard will need to prove the job is his for the taking or else Ty Conklin may find himself starting more frequently. Age is a concern in Detroit as well. Their core is not getting any younger and may find itself slowing as the season wears on. It hasn't been too much of an issue in seasons past, but it can't go on that way forever. Chicago and Nashville will be tough to play against within their own division, as well as Columbus, meaning it may not be the cake walk it has been traditionally for Detroit in the Central. Losing Rafalski will be a step backwards on the power play, but all-in-all the Wings should secure home ice for the first round in the 2012 playoffs.

2012 prediction: 4th in Western Conference
Leading scorer: Pavel Datsyuk, 33 goals & 84 points
Bold prediction: No Red Wing will win an individual award (Norris Trophy, Selke, etc.) in 2012.

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