It wasn't the most auspicious lead-in to the season, as Detroit went 3-5 in their 4 home-and-home series'. The Wings were able to split each series with Chicago, Toronto and the Rangers, but lost but their games to Pittsburgh. I could go in-depth into the performance of the team and some individual efforts, but what's the point? The pre-season is seldom if ever even a rough reflection of what to expect from the upcoming regular season. 3-5 record or not, the Red Wings have a damn good team [again] and here's why:
Top three lines
Detroit will be icing the same first line that won the 2008 Stanley Cup, an unignorable threat for every opponent in Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom. This trio will form one of the most formidable top lines in the League, but the real danger comes from depths below.
Unlike the Blackhawks, the Red Wings will be one of very few, if any, teams to boast three lines that are genuine scoring threats. Babcock can think himself a lucky coach to have the likes of Filppula, Hudler, Bertuzzi, Franzen, Cleary and newcomer Mike Modano at his disposal for a 2-3 punch combo. This poses quite a headache for opposing coaches when added to the stress of dealing with Hank, Dats and Homer.
On the back end, it's more of the same; stability, experience and offense.
It's fair to say veterans Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski have probably seen the peak of their careers, but their value on the PP and first pass out of defense make them of great assistance to the forwards corps. Also worth mentioning, is the fact that in Lidstrom, Detroit will be receiving just about the best non-physical defensive skill-set in the world today.
A little further development from younger guns Nik Kronwall and particularly Jonathan Ericsson could act as an addition to the team to go along with free agent acquisition, Ruslan Salei. Interestingly, the blueline pairings will begin the season a little juggled from last. Earlier today Babcock announced a few switches:
Lidstrom -- Ericsson
Stuart -- Rafalski
Kronwall -- Salei
In net, we just need to hope for more steadiness from sophomore, Jimmy Howard. You don't have to look too far back to see examples of major slides from great rookie seasons (Mason and Price), but it can be done. But Niklas Backstrom and Pekka Rinne will tell you great second seasons are possible. If in this case it is not, you could do a lot worse than have a 3-time Cup Champion goalie come in and hold down the fort.
How that's a good hockey team right there. Even Pierre LeBrun knows it. Bring on 2010/11!
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