DETROIT — The 2010-11 season showed the Detroit Red Wings just how fine a line there is between winning and losing in today’s NHL.

Had the Red Wings squeezed another point out of the regular season, they would have had home-ice advantage in the second round of the playoffs against the San Jose Sharks.

Maybe that would have made a difference, since the Sharks won four games by one goal each, including two in overtime. The resilient Red Wings battled back from a 3-0 series deficit before losing in Game 7 and being eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals for the second year in a row by San Jose.

“I thought San Jose beat a good team. Last year when they beat us, I didn’t think they beat a good team,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “We were right there with them.”

Captain Nicklas Lidstrom said it was tougher to accept losing after making such a spirited comeback.

“We showed a lot of character, will and determination,” Lidstrom said. “We pushed (San Jose) until the last minute of Game 7.”

The Sharks might win the Stanley Cup, further leaving the Red Wings to wonder what might have been.

“We thought the team that won that series was going to have a legitimate opportunity,” Babcock said. “The bitter disappointment also is a driving force. We’ve had it before and followed it up with a good year the following year, and that’s our goal and our focus.”

The Red Wings had plenty of offense (second in the NHL) and so much depth that forwards who would have played every day for many teams were healthy scratches on several nights.

Their main issues were goals against (23rd in NHL) and penalty killing (17th in league).

“I think we’re going see some changes, no question,” Babcock said. “I think it’s very important we ask our players to train all summer and get 1 or 2 percent better, and as coaches and management, we do the same thing.

“We got to improve our team. The bottom line is the final four is going on and this is our second year in a row we’re not involved.”

Players believe they have the nucleus of a good team and will return as Stanley Cup contenders next season.

“We had a good season, it was a good series. It was close,” forward Danny Cleary said. “We look forward to next year and we’ll be a better team.”

Their best players — Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Lidstrom — were their best players, in the regular season and in the playoffs. And goaltender Jimmy Howard took a significant step in the postseason.

“We had a good chance,” Zetterberg said. “What we have to do now is work harder in the summertime and come back even hungrier next year and make another run at it.”

Here is a look at the individual grades (regular season/playoffs) for the players who spent all or most of the season with the Red Wings:

Forwards

Justin Abdelkader (B-/C): His first full NHL season was a learning experience. He led the team with a plus-15 rating, but struggled at times. He took too many penalties in the San Jose series. He eventually should develop into a player who is tough, physical and hard to play against.

• Contract: One year remaining at cap hit of $787,500.

Todd Bertuzzi (B/B): When he got angry and picked up his physical play later in the season, he was more effective and the team was better. He was committed to back-checking, though that's not reflected in his minus-7 rating.

• Contract: One year remaining at cap hit of $1.937 million.

Danny Cleary (A-/B): Being healthy, as opposed to last season, made a huge difference as he picked up career highs in goals (26) and points (46). His ability to fill so many roles (top line, third line, power play, penalty kill), play the net front and protect the puck makes him valuable.

• Contract: Two years remaining at cap hit of $2.8 million.

Pavel Datsyuk (A/A): Missed about one-third of the season with injuries but still averaged more than a point a game and managed to be a Selke Trophy finalist as best defensive forward. He was a force in the playoffs, threatening to make something happen almost every time he touched the puck. And that was with a sore wrist that prevented him from taking faceoffs.

• Contract: Three years remaining at cap hit of $6.7 million.

Kris Draper (B/B): He missed the first two months of the season because of surgery for a sports hernia but returned to have a decent year. He was in and out of the lineup, but provided energy when called upon. He would like to play another year. It boils down to whether the team will have an available roster spot.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Patrick Eaves (B+/B+): He was perhaps the best penalty-killing forward with his shot-blocking ability. He also has offensive potential with 13 goals, though none after Jan. 20. It is a luxury to have a player like this on your fourth line, but is he satisfied with that role or will be seek greener pastures?

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Valtteri Filppula (C+/B-): He showed occasional flashes with his speed and skills, but then disappeared for stretches. He wasn't strong enough on the puck, playing too much on the perimeter, not enough on the inside. Had a good first playoff round, but struggled in the second round until the third period of Game 6. Again, the team asks, can he reach the next level?

• Contract: Two years remaining at cap hit of $3 million.

Johan Franzen (B-/C): He led the team with 28 goals but wasn't the same after his five-goal outburst in Ottawa on Feb. 2, scoring only two goals in his final 27 games. He just wasn't as engaged, for whatever reason. Hard to gauge his playoff performance because he was shackled by an ankle injury.

• Contract: Nine years remaining at cap hit of $3.95 million.

Darren Helm (A/A): His speed is such a tremendous weapon, making opponents nervous every time he winds up. He creates scoring chances and has become a slightly better finisher (career-best 12 goals). And he wears on defenses with his physical play. Still needs to become a better penalty killer. He has a bright future.

• Contract: One year remaining at cap hit of $912,500.

Tomas Holmstrom (B/B+): Like a machine, this unique player just keeps screening goalies, tipping shots and retrieving pucks, providing a valuable specialty, especially on the power play. His reputation cost him and the team too many goals, however, with goalie interference calls.

• Contract: One year remaining at cap hit of $1.875 million.

Jiri Hudler (C-/C-): A forgettable season after returning from Russia with so much promise. He got off to a disastrous start and lost confidence. Started to heat up when placed on a line with Datsyuk, but should have been better on other lines, too. His future with the club is murky.

• Contract: One year remaining at $2.875 million.

Drew Miller (B/B): He scored 10 goals, which is pretty good for a fourth-line player who was a healthy scratch in 15 games. A good penalty killer and grinder, he deserved to be in the lineup more often than he was.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Mike Modano (C/Incomplete): It was tough to recover from a 40-game absence midway through the season due to wrist surgery. He struggled early on and couldn't get into a groove late in the season. It didn't work out, but it was worth a shot. He certainly will retire.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Henrik Zetterberg (A/A): After two subpar seasons, by his standards, he bounced back strong and led the team with 80 points. He's the guy they use to match up against top centers such as Joe Thornton, Ryan Getzlaf, Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews. He didn't look like a player coming off a sprained knee in the San Jose series.

• Contract: Ten years remaining at cap hit of $6.08 million.

Defensemen

Jonathan Ericsson (C+/C): He improved this season, but still didn't play like he did during the 2009 playoffs. Made too many fundamental mistakes and should be more punishing for someone who is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. Still young (27), with promise, but he might be asking for more than the club is willing to give.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Jakub Kindl (C/Incomplete): Got his feet wet with 48 games as a rookie and made good strides. He has skills, but must focus on his defensive play. He played with more of an edge later in the season and will be a regular on the third pairing next season.

• Contract: Two years remaining at cap hit of $833,000.

Niklas Kronwall (A-/A): After a fine regular season, he stepped up big in the playoffs, replacing Nicklas Lidstrom as the team leader in ice time, providing offense by jumping up in the play and delivered some crushing hits.

• Contract: One year remaining at $3 million.

Nicklas Lidstrom (A/A): It's hard to imagine a player this good and durable walking away from the game. Another outstanding year at age 40 earned him his 11th Norris Trophy nomination in 13 seasons. He was strong in the playoffs, too, when his minutes were trimmed and his workload eased by being taken off the penalty kill. They have their fingers crossed he will return for his 20th season.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Brian Rafalski (B/C+): He was strong offensively, moving the puck and setting up teammates with his fast, accurate passes (44 assists in 63 games). He was not as strong defensively, however, committing too many turnovers.

• Contract: One year remaining at $6 million.

Ruslan Salei (C+/B): Nothing flashy, he filled his role as a third-pair defenseman while Kindl got acclimated to the league. He nearly lost his job late in the season but played better in the playoffs. He's not likely to return.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Brad Stuart (A-/B+): He did the dirty work, delivering hits and blocking shots and playing solid in his own end. He adjusted well as Lidstrom's new partner after playing mostly with Kronwall.

• Contract: One year remaining at $3.75 million.

Goaltenders

Jimmy Howard (B-/A-): Picked up where he left off in 2009-10 with a strong first two months. He struggled with consistency midway through the season, perhaps distracted by his contract situation. He stepped up big in the playoffs, giving the team a chance to win every game.

• Contract: Two years at a cap hit of $2.25 million.

Joey MacDonald (C+/Incomplete): Take away his last game, an ugly 10-3 loss to St. Louis, and this veteran journeyman did his job by providing reliable goaltending while occasionally spelling Howard. He would be a good option as the backup.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Chris Osgood (C+/Incomplete): He battled groin issues much of the season before finally having to undergo sports hernia surgery Jan. 11, which wound up ending his season, and possibly his career. His season was highlighted by a 46-save performance Dec. 27 in Colorado for his 400th career win.

• Contract: Unrestricted free agent.

Coaching

Mike Babcock and staff (B/B): The team was not as emotionally engaged as it should have been after a strong 17-4-2 start. Goals against (23rd in NHL) and penalty killing (17th) suffered as a result, and dropping from second to third in the Western Conference may have been costly. Rallied the team after it fell behind 3-0 to Sharks.