Grading the Red Wings

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Grading the Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings had high hopes coming into the season.

They were coming off a near upset of Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs. They added key free agents in Mike Green and Brad Richards and didn’t lose significant player. They expected young forwards Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco and Teemu Pulkkinen to progress.

They saw Jeff Blashill, after a successful three-year stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins, as an ideal replacement for Mike Babcock.

But they were too inconsistent. Most players didn’t take the next step and they needed help on the final day of the season to reach the playoffs. They finished with 93 points, equaling their lowest point total in a non-lockout shortened season since 1990-91, the first year of their 25-season playoff streak.

As a result, their final grades are as bad they have been in some time.

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Justin Abdelkader: B

G: 19 A: 23 PT: 42

Contract: Seven years at a cap hit of $4.25 million

He brings abrasiveness and a consistent physical presence, doing a lot of the dirty work, and produced a decent amount of offense. Fills a net-front role and kills penalties. Discipline has been an issue (bad penalties) and minus-16 rating was career-worst.

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Joakim Andersson: C

G: 1 A: 2 PT: 3

Contract: Unrestricted free agent

His career didn’t progress following a promising rookie season. He’s likely headed back to Sweden. He was a trusted checker and penalty killer but lack of quickness and offensive ability got him demoted before he returned for the playoffs.

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Andreas Athanasiou: A-

G: 9 A: 5 PT: 14

Contract: One year remaining at $628,333. Will be a restricted free agent in 2017.

His tremendous speed puts defenses on their heels and he demonstrated a finishing touch. He created excitement and made things happen when he was on the ice. Still needs to learn to play a 200-foot game but should have played more minutes.

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Pavel Datsyuk: B-

G: 16 A: 33 PT: 49

Contract: Unrestricted free agent

Almost certainly returning to Russia following brilliant 14-year NHL career that ended with a frustrating season due to off-season ankle surgery that caused him to miss the first 15 games. He produced at a decent rate but had no points in the playoffs for first time since 2003.

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Johan Franzen: Incomplete

G: 0 A: 1 PT: 1

Contract: Four years remaining at a cap hit of $3.95 million

He worked hard to come back, but had a setback after just two games. He continues experiencing concussion symptoms and is surely done playing hockey. He isn’t likely to retire, just remain on long-term injured reserve for the remainder of his career.

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Luke Glendening: B

G: 8 A: 13 PT: 21

Contract: One year remaining at $628,333. Will be unrestricted in 2017.

Fourth-line center is responsible defensively, often matching up against top players, and brings element of grit. He was second on team in hits, first among forwards in blocked shots and had club’s best faceoff percentage.

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Darren Helm: B-

G: 13 A: 13 PT: 26

Contract: Unrestricted free agent

Got off to a slow start, following preseason injury, but was better down the stretch. His speed and tenacious forechecking have been key elements. He’s versatile, with ability to play top six or bottom six, penalty kill and play net-front on power play, but constant shuffling might have taken away from his play.

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Tomas Jurco: D

G: 4 A: 2 PT: 6

Contract: One year remaining at $900,000. Will be a restricted free agent in 2017.

After a disappointing 2015-16, he regressed further this season and was a frequent healthy scratch. Has the physical ability (size, skills, skating) but seems to lack intensity. Future with club and whether he has top-six potential uncertain.

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Dylan Larkin: A-

G: 23 A: 22 PT: 45

Contract: Two years remaining at $925,000. Will be a restricted free agent in 2018.

Added much-needed speed, energy and scoring ability, making leap to NHL at age 19, sooner than many expected. Most goals by a Wings rookie since Sergei Fedorov in 1990-91. His production dipped the second half as grind of NHL season appeared to take a toll. A player to build around, he could be moved to center.

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Drew Miller: C+

G: 1 A: 1 PT: 2

Contract: Unrestricted free agent

Season ended in mid-January due to major knee surgery. A responsible defensive player and one of the team’s top penalty killers and shot-blockers. Would have liked to chip in more offense. Might be brought back as a low-cost fourth-line option.

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Gustav Nyquist: D

Contract: Three years remaining at cap hit of $4.75 million

Disappointing season for a player who was counted on to take the next step. Scored 10 fewer goals overall and power-play production dipped significantly (from 14 to seven goals, from 38 to 19 points). Even-strength goals have gone from 22 to 13 to 10. Seemed to defer too much when he needed to be assertive.

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Teemu Pulkkinen: C-

G: 6 A: 6 PT: 12

Contract: Restricted free agent whose cap hit was $735,000

Brings a single dimension with offensive ability, but it’s one the club lacks: a booming right-handed shot. It wasn’t good enough to keep him in the lineup. To compensate for defensive shortcomings, a player must bring more offense to the table. He’s an off-season trade candidate.

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Brad Richards: C

G: 10 A: 18 PT: 28

Contract: Unrestricted free agent

His resume earned him a larger role than he probably should have received. Half of his points came on the power play, which struggled most of the season. He stepped up at moments but needed to produce more. Not likely to return.

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Riley Sheahan: C

G: 14 A: 11 PT: 25

Contract: Restricted free agent whose cap hit was $950,000

He underachieved and had little impact for about three-quarters of the season and then looked like a different player down the stretch. He utilized his size (6-3, 222) to become an effective net-front presence, resulting in offense, and stepped up at key times. Now he needs to do that for a full season.

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Tomas Tatar: D+

G: 21 A: 24 PT: 45

Contract: One year remaining at a $2.75 million cap hit. Will be a restricted free agent in 2017.

Like Nyquist, he was expected to take the next step and be a “go-to guy” but his production dipped, from 29 goals to 21. Turnovers continue to be an issue as he often over-handles the puck. A potential trade chip.

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Henrik Zetterberg: C

G: 13 A: 37 PT: 50

Contract: Five years remaining at a $6.083 million cap hit

He played all 82 games but for the second year in a row faded in the second half and in the playoffs. He led the team with 50 points but his 13 goals were a career low during a full season. He needs his ice time reduced.

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Danny DeKeyser: B

G: 8 A: 12 PT: 20

Contract: Restricted free agent whose cap hit was $2.18 million

He was once again their top overall defenseman and their shutdown defender. He scored a career-high eight goals. He had 12 fewer points because he wasn’t used nearly as much on the power play.

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Jonathan Ericsson: D

G: 3 A: 12 PT: 15

Contract: Four years remaining at a $4.125 million cap hit

He managed a plus-2 rating but struggled this season and in the playoffs. He led the team in turnovers and wasn’t solid positionally. Despite his size (6-4, 220), he doesn’t play physical enough or bring an abrasive element.

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Mike Green: C

G: 7 A: 28 PT: 35

Contract: Two years remaining at a $6 million cap hit

They didn’t sign him for his defensive ability but expected more offense after he filled a much-needed void with his right-handed shot. He’s not the offensive force he was earlier in his career with Washington but should have produced more, particularly on a power play that struggled.

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Alexey Marchenko: B-

G: 2 A: 9 PT: 11

Contract: Restricted free agent whose cap hit was $666,667

He was fairly steady during his first full season. He’s at his best when he’s not noticed much, moving the puck quickly and efficiently. Having several different partners didn’t help build chemistry. There is room for improvement.

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Niklas Kronwall: D

G: 3 A: 23 PT: 26

Contract: Three years remaining at a $4.75 million cap hit.

An extremely difficult season for the long-time workhorse. He was noticeably slower in his skating and decision-making. A bad knee (maybe two) took its toll, though he refused to use it as an excuse. His load needs to be lightened a little.

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Kyle Quincey: B-

G: 4 A: 7 PT: 11

Contract: Unrestricted free agent

He was limited to 47 games due to ankle issues, which undoubtedly affected his play. He still teamed with DeKeyser to form the most reliable pairing much of the season. He’s not likely to return.

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Brendan Smith: B-

G: 3 A: 12 PT: 15

Contract: One year remaining at a $2.75 million cap hit. Will be unrestricted in 2017.

The 2007 first-round pick hasn’t taken a significant leap forward but has shown progress. He managed the puck better this season. He skates well and plays with an edge, elements the defense lacks. As an unrestricted free agent next summer, the club must decide whether to lock him up to a long-term deal or move him.

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Jimmy Howard: C-

W-L-OTL: 14-14-5

GAA: 2.80 | Save %: .906

Contract: Three years remaining at a $5.3 million cap hit

He got off to a strong start but faltered in December, then replaced a slumping Mrazek as the No. 1 late in the season before taking a seat in Game 3 of the playoffs. The club will try to move him but it won’t be easy in a limited market, possibly requiring salary retention or taking back a big contract. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still here next season.

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Petr Mrazek: B+

W-L-OTL: 27-16-6

GAA: 2.33 | Save %: .921

Contract: Restricted free agent whose cap hit was $737,500.

It was a bizarre season. He looked like a Vezina Trophy candidate following a dominant January but the wheels came off when he turned 24 on Feb. 14. He regrouped midway through the Tampa Bay series to give the team a chance to win. Consistency continues to be the issue – he’s been pulled nine times since January 2015. But the future still looks bright.

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Coaching: C-

Jeff Blashill and staff

The playoff streak was extended to 25 seasons, but it was more difficult than it should have been. The team never gained traction during an up and down season. Individually, few, if any, players, progressed from the previous season. The power play, except for a late-season spike, was a problem, especially when it mattered the most – in the playoffs.