DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings' earliest playoff exit in four years is certain to spawn gloom and doom in a fair amount of stories chronicling the end of an era.

The analyses, which tend to be from national media, will conclude the Red Wings are past their prime. Too old, too slow, too soft and destined for mediocrity.

How many times has that been written over the years? Everyone wants to be the first to document the downfall of the closest thing the NHL has witnessed to a dynasty in the past two decades.

Once again, the reports of their demise will be greatly exaggerated.

The Red Wings were eliminated by a fresher, motivated, well-coached, more disciplined and talented San Jose Sharks club. The length of the series (five games) was deceptive. Detroit competed and had a chance to win every game in the third period. But the Sharks delivered in the clutch.

Does it signal a passing of the torch in the Western Conference? Perhaps. The Red Wings might not be the best team in the league next season, but if Nicklas Lidstrom returns, they'll be Stanley Cup contenders.

"We still got a great team," defenseman Brad Stuart said. "One of the good things for this team was some of the younger guys got a chance to play a little more when some guys were injured. That'll help their development. We still got a good outlook here."

A LOOK AHEAD The Red Wings have 14 players signed for 2010-11 at $43.6 million. The salary cap is expected to be roughly $58 million. (Figures listed are cap numbers):



FORWARDS

• Pavel Datsyuk ($6.7 million)

• Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083 million)

• Johan Franzen ($3.955 million)

• Valtteri Filppula ($3 million)

• Jiri Hudler ($2.875 million)

• Dan Cleary ($2.8 million)

• Kris Draper ($1.583 million)



DEFENSEMEN

• Brian Rafalski ($6 million)

• Brad Stuart ($3.75 million)

• Niklas Kronwall ($3 million)

• Jonathan Ericsson ($900,000

• Jakub Kindl ($883,333)



GOALTENDERS

• Chris Osgood ($1.417 million)

• Jimmy Howard ($717,000)



Restricted free agents: Forwards Justin Abdelkader, Patrick Eaves, Darren Helm, Drew Miller and Mattias Ritola; defenseman Derek Meech.



Unrestricted free agents: Forwards Todd Bertuzzi, Tomas Holmstrom, Kirk Maltby, Brad May and Jason Williams; defensemen Doug Janik, Brett Lebda, Andreas Lilja and Nicklas Lidstrom.

The Red Wings have too much talent not to be a top four team in their conference.

If Lidstrom retires, it would be a huge blow. He is irreplaceable. But at least the Red Wings would have some money to spend on free agents.

And they still would have enough skill and depth to at least make the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season.

"I believe in this group. I believe in the management. We always find a way to have a good team," center Henrik Zetterberg said. "We have great owners that really want to have a strong team. The future still looks good."

Don't expect too many offseason changes. Why overhaul a team that was so dominant when it had all its pieces in place, finishing the regular season on a 17-2-3 run?

Their biggest addition might be diminutive forward Jiri Hudler, back from a one-year stint in Russia. He will bolster their offense.

The Red Wings have 14 players signed for 2010-11 at a salary-cap hit of $43.6 million, including top defense prospect Jakub Kindl, who will join the team after three seasons with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

Add to that restricted free agents Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Patrick Eaves, Drew Miller, Derek Meech and Mattias Ritola. Unrestricted free agent Tomas Holmstrom definitely will be back. Todd Bertuzzi and Andreas Lilja might be re-signed.

If Lidstrom returns and they don't trade or waive anybody who already is signed, that's 24 players, one over the limit.

So this team is sure to have a familiar look next season.

And why not?

It has a strong core of players still in their prime, including a trio of stars in Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen. How many clubs in the West, other than San Jose and Chicago, are that top-heavy?

Valtteri Filppula has untapped potential. Holmstrom, even at 37, will remain one of the top net-front players in the game. Dan Cleary is capable of returning to his 20-goal form of 2007-08 and '08-09.

If Lidstrom returns, the Red Wings will continue to boast one of the strongest top four on defense in the league, with Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall and Stuart.

Jimmy Howard's first playoff action was a learning experience. He was inconsistent at times and allowed some soft goals. But he also stepped up big at times. He figures to build on a strong rookie season.

"We had an unbelievable push just to get in the playoffs," coach Mike Babcock said. "You got to give our guys credit. They worked hard. It was one of those years where we were hurt a lot. Maybe we haven't had this time to train that other teams have had. We'll get that now and we'll be back trying to battle and get ourselves in a situation so we can win."

In this age of parity in the NHL, the Red Wings remain ahead of the curve.

Write them off at your own risk.