NHL Power Rankings Week One: Capitals, Lightning, Predators, And Ducks Are Favorites

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Power Rankings: #16 – Detroit Red Wings

STRENGTHS: The Red Wings have a unique situation. They have a core of older players and a core of younger players. Pavel Datsyuk is still one of the best centers in the league when he’s healthy. Henrik Zetterberg isn’t as good as he once was. He’s still pretty darn good.

They also have Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist. Both of them are incredible talents that should lead the team once Datsyuk and Zetterberg retire. Mike Green should help them get more offense out of their defensemen. Green should also make Detroit’s power play even more deadly.

WEAKNESSES: They lack depth after their core guys. Should injuries occur, the Red Wings could be in trouble. They also have issues with their goaltending. They must choose between Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek. They also don’t have that much depth on their blue line.

OUTLOOK: Even sans Mike Babcock, the Red Wings should be a playoff team. There are things that could easily go wrong for them that would prevent them from making the playoffs.

Next: #15