2007-08 Preseason Foreplay: Detroit Red Wings

Editor's Note: Today's foreplay is brought you by reader and Red Wings fan Derek C.

...and that's what interns are for. Flickr

Quick hits

• Chris Chelios could play until he is 60 years old.
• Illitchs make it affordable for everyone to see Red Wings games.
• The Red Wing marketing department is probably the worst in the league. The “Fire On Ice” Theme seems to be stolen from the 1992-1993 Pro Set Hockey Card Set.
• Johan “The Mule” Franzen has the best NHL animal nickname.

Odds for the folks at gambler's anonymous

3990:1 – Wings will sign Foppa.

17:1 – Wings will discontinue use of the funny-looking preseason name patches.

3:1 – Jimmy Howard will take Chris Osgood’s backup goaltender position by the end of the season.

2:1 – Red Wings will trade an early round draft pick for a veteran center or defenseman by the trade deadline.

Obligatory serious analysis

The Central Division is Detroit’s to lose. After falling two wins short of a Stanley Cup Finals berth last season, Detroit returns with a roster similar to the one of last Spring. The most obvious change will be addition of free agent (and Detroit-area native) Brian Rafalski (for five years at $30 million). Rafalski will take over Matty Schneider’s first line spot with Niklas Lidstrom.

Up front, the Red Wings are led by Zetterberg and Datsyuk, who are both expected to put up 90-100 point seasons. Jiri Hudler should emerge as a second line center and likely will see the largest increase in point production from 06-07. Detroit added Dallas Drake for some added grit. As long as he stays healthy, his true value will emerge in the final months of the season.

Igor Grigorenko failed to crack the Wings lineup but will remain stateside and play for the Griffins in Grand Rapids. However, other young players will remain with Detroit and will be relied on for consistent play if Detroit is to walk away with the division. Including Hudler, the Wings need Franzen, Tomas Kopecky and Valteri Filpulla to continue to develop.

Dominik Hasek returns between the pipes but with his playing days limited, Chris Osgood will see a large share of backup duty. If he struggles, Wings fans will press for Jimmy Howard to emerge as the Wing’s goalie of the future as he has done this preseason. Howard has worked hard with Wings goaltending coach Jim Bedard and lost 20 lbs in the off-season. If Howard doesn’t become a mainstay this season, with Osgood in the final year of his deal, expect to see him regularly in 2008-09.

Prediction: Detroit will win the Central easily, and challenge for the Western Conference Title and President’s Trophy. By March, Detroiters should have only Octopi-related thoughts on their minds. (Ed. -- agreed)

The best looking ice girls in Detroit
(Ed. -- Today's is actress Kristen Bell, who grew up near Detroit)


Previous Editions of Preseason Foreplay

• Atlanta Thrashers - August 15th
• Boston Bruins - August 27th
• Buffalo Sabres - September 21st
  
• Calgary Flames - September 2nd
  
• Chicago Blackhawks - August 24th
• Colorado Avalanche - September 13th
  
• Columbus Blue Jackets - August 22nd
  
• Dallas Stars - August 13th
• Edmonton Oilers - September 1st
  
• Florida Panthers - August 26th
• Los Angeles Kings - September 8th
  
• Minnesota Wild - September 1st
  
• Montreal Canadiens - August 29th
  
• New Jersey Devils - August 19th
• New York Islanders - September 20th
  
• New York Rangers - September 16th
• Ottawa Senators - September 18th
  
• Philadelphia Flyers - September 6th
• Pittsburgh Penguins - September 6th
  
• Phoenix Coyotes - August 14th
• St. Louis Blues - September 9th
• San Jose Sharks - September 23rd
  
• Tampa Bay Lightning - August 18th
• Toronto Maple Leafs - September 11th
• Vancouver Canucks - September 25th
  
• Washington Capitals - September 12th