Thoughts on Offseason

As we all know by the now, the Red Wings season is over. And it is now time either to go on other teams you like and/or start the offseason discussion. And while I haven't really talked much I've been lurking more then talking. I'm just going to get my feelings on how some of the offseason will go and some of the players if they should be out or not. I will go by number order and sections starting with Forwards after the Jump.

#8 Justin Abdelkader

For sure a full time wing next year. I doubt we would of gotten past the Coyotes without the spark he gave us in Game 2 of the series where he was introduced. Plus he kinda reminds us Wings fans of the Grinders of the early 2000's late 1990's with McCarty and Draper that score even if that's not quite their job. Remember that sweet Takeaway and then Goal scored in the 3rd Period of Game 2 of the same series? Yes Doan would later tie it up again after and give us that Doan Face that we all remember. But had he not been there the game could of been alot closer to the end.

#11 Dan Cleary

Sometimes this guy hasn't been at his best but he's made plenty of great clutch plays. Not just on scoring, but he once saved a goal during the Coyotes series with his Stick.

#13 Pavel Datsyuk

Nothing really much to say on perfection :)

#17 Patrick Eaves

PLEASE resign him. This guy was a huge part of our Penaty kill and who's to say if he wasn't injured he would of put a hell of a fight against the Sharks? He's been Helm's big help on offensive and Penalty kills as well and he tends to make the most timely goals.

#18 Kirk Maltby

As much as it might hurt Wings fans to say it. But even if Maltby gets back to full health by October he may have to retire or head down to the Griffins for veteran leadership down there. (Or of course he could go to another team, but I'm not sure who would want him) Some people can say the same thing about Draper but Draper still has speed, Maltby not so much.

#20 Drew Miller

This guy should for sure be kept. After rescuing him (well getting him off waivers) from the cellar that is the Tampa Bay Lightning he has done nothing wrong for Detroit. He was very physical in the Coyotes series and got a good chance or 2. I don't know if I was just missing some things though, he didn't seem existent against the Sharks. But this guy compliments also with Eaves and Helm most of the time his goals tend to not be the prettiest. But with him on the team it makes the matchup with the Sabres much more interesting with a Sibling Rivalry.

#24 Brad May

I was actually puzzled I didn't see him on the ice at all for the all physical play the Sharks and the Coyotes gave us. I would of loved to see May have his way with Thornton after attempts to intimidate the entire team in the 7-1 rout in Game 4. Though for teams that don't rely on tough play he's pretty useless (Although to be fair the 1 goal he could of had was called back due to the "intent to blow" LaRue call)

#29 Jason Williams

As much as he's been a force on Powerplay and (sometimes) Shootouts. Jason just isn't really a keeper. Jason wasn't really what people had in mind coming in for Eaves that first night.

#33 Kris Draper

Like I said over on Maltby's, Draper still has speed and he could occasionally get the lucky goal or 2 but hopefully more assists coming from him. The only bad thing is the occasional Penalty called on him with the young guys making it seem like an Old man is tripping their style them.

#40 Henrik Zetterberg

See Datsyuk's

#43 Darren Helm

I think Helm's just been unlucky on some ways. If he had scored on even half of his attempts the Coyotes series would of shortened and maybe the Sharks series could've gone longer. I'm sure over the offseason Helm will start training on fooling the goalie as with his speed that's often the only one in his way (Well except the posts of course). But of course he's done well on what's just as important: Penalty Killing

#44 Todd Bertuzzi

I actually see a potential argument on this player. There will be those that support him and say he played well for the Wings and deserves another chance with us (And that this is the first time Bertuzzi was put in more then 6 Playoff games since we last had him). But there will be the Anti-Todds who believe he disappears on slumps and only has his streaks occasionally. I personally lean onto keeping him, I think some of us were confused on why the Flames didn't like losing Bertuzzi and I think Todd showed us why. Plus without him we would of never got over 100 points for the 10th season. Not because of just the Shootout win over Columbus on Game 81 but the 2 OT wins over Anaheim and Nashville back in December.

#51 Valterri Filppula

This guy hasn't been bad at all. He's been a good part on the line of Z-Bert and him. He was most excellent against the Coyotes picking up a few goals and one almost goal (That I was there live)

#93 Johan Franzen

You don't mess with the Johan. Well anyway, as much as we liked his point streak before his amazing 4 goal outburst in Game 4 against the Sharks, he seemed to dissapoint many as far as the playoffs are concerned. But I think him coming back was a huge part on why we climbed from 9th to 5th in basically the last month in the season. If he didn't get injured majorly on the 3rd game of the season I think we would have at least had the Home Ice Advantage against the Coyotes or perhaps even 3 Seed.

#96 Thomas Holmstrom

As always he's been great in taking all the pain at the front of the Net and sacrifices. We will for sure be back again to go through the hell of the pushing from the goalies and the big bodies of every single team they face but will always be there to tip in on juicy attempts and be dancing right in the Goalie's face everytime.

Defenseman

#3 Andreas Lilja

Glad to have him back after the long concussion he had to go through. He's made a few small mistakes but nothing to make us want to wish he was injured again. He for sure tightened up the defense at least enough to make the Playoffs and past 1st round

#5 Nicklas Lidstrom

There are many concerned that Lidstrom might be retiring after this season. But for the purpose of this let's suppose that he decides to put in another year. Lidstrom has been great, the bad luck of his stick breaking in Game 2 hurt but who's to blame the man for a faulty stick? He's 40 Years old but I think he'll still be playing hockey not as much as Chelios of course but still at least one or 2 more years.

#14 Derek Meech

I think we were pretty much glad he wasn't suiting up much for the Playoffs. Meech hasn't quite been the best.

#22 Brett Lebda

He hasn't been quite as bad as Meech has but I think he played decent during the Playoffs. But he isn't solid enough still.

#23 Brad Stuart

He was a beast during the Sharks series and played decently well against the Coyotes (Breakaway goal after coming out of the box anyone?). Still he has problems with turnovers that haunt us but he's still solid enough.

#28 Brian Rafalski

Rafalski seriously needs to pretend the Wings are the USA. It makes me sad that Rafalski played better in the Olympics then his entire time with his NHL team in the Playoffs. Many will blame him for the loss to the Sharks in Game 5 but that series was done either way, and he's still more solid then say Lebda or Meech

#52 Jonathon Ericcson

Ericcson seriously needs to play like he is a big body. He's basically being Lebda in Pronger's body. A big contrast from his excellent play last year.

#55 Nicklas Kronwall

I'd argue Kronwall has been the best defensemen except for Lidstrom lately. His hits also helped in the Coyotes series and I don't think I noticed anything bad in the Sharks series from him

Goalies

#30 Chris Osgood

I think we should give Ozzy more starts. We're obviously going to still have him around and we might be heading with Howard for most of next season but what's a Backup if the Backup is just rust everytime? At least give him the least challenging teams.

#35 Jimmy Howard

There is only one thing the Wings fans fear about Howard after the excellent season he's had: The Sophmore Slump. If he starts on the curse of the 2nd year slump (If he gets the Calder, I think it makes it worse considering what happened to Mason). People are hoping that the extra years in the minors have slowed that flow and Howard will be making amazing saves for us again for the 2010-2011 season. This Playoff experience may also help him in the long run as he knows now what to do during the Playoffs somewhat. We also hopes he continues his feud with Crosby after that excellent March game with the glove in Crosby's face.

So that's it. I hope I did a fair enough job on covering the players. And I don't talk much so I'm technially a newbie on WIM so I'll hope you'll go easy on me if you find something that ticks you off in my list.