Kyle Okposo

If Kyle Okposo hits free agency on July 1, he'll attract plenty of suitors, including the Red Wings, in all likelihood.

(The Associated Press)

The Detroit Red Wings need an offensive boost. They could use a top-pair defenseman, or least a new look on the blue line. They'll be in the market for a back-up goaltender, if they're able to move Jimmy Howard. And who's going to replace Pavel Datsyuk at center, if he returns to Russia as expected?

The Wings have several needs this season. Don't forget about team toughness, a couple of MLive readers said this week.

Q: I am a fan of Don Cherry. I agree with most of what he says. One thing he used to mention somewhat regularly was that the 'new' Wings (i.e. Babcock-era) were not as tough as the 'old' (i.e. Bowman-era) Wings. ... The one thing that you should be able to replace is the toughness. ... The entire 'Grind Line' retired and there has been no replacing them. ... For a number of years now, the Wings have had to fight to not be pushed around. ... They have a degree of toughness. But they are not tough. - Andrew

A: For sure they need to be harder to play against.

They don't necessarily need an enforcer, a role that is diminishing in the NHL, but they could use a couple of players that are an absolute pain in the rear, players who aggravate and play on the edge, players who have opponents looking over their shoulders. Dallas Drake filled this role nicely in 2007-08.

It would take some of the pressure off Justin Abdelkader (and maybe Brendan Smith), who must feel at times that he is fighting these battles alone.

Roster space is an issue. Do you move a player like Teemu Pulkkinen or Tomas Jurco - who have the potential for offense - for a true fourth-line agitator? If they can't address this need from outside the organization perhaps they should take a longer look at Eric Tangradi.

Q: I would say Justin Faulk would be a good option to pursue if Ken Holland was looking to be aggressive. He might be the perfect fit in terms of what the Red Wings need: logs huge minutes, asset on the power play and right-handed shot. I love Cam Fowler, but I think the Ducks would probably move Sami Vatanen first if they move a D, and I'm not really a fan of his. Andrew Shaw would be another one I like. Shaw is total scumbag, but I would like him on the Wings. As one of the softest teams in the league, they could use a player like him. -- Matt

A: Not sure why Carolina would move Faulk, who's 24 and an alternate captain and signed for four more years at a $4.8 million cap hit.

Anaheim might move a defenseman for help up front and might be more inclined to move Vatanen than Fowler, though the latter would bring a better return.

I agree Shaw is the type of player the Red Wings could use. He's only 24 and a restricted free agent. The Blackhawks should have the cap space to retain him.

Q: Do you see Kyle Okposo as an option at forward in free agency? He can score and be physical, similar to (Brendan Shanahan) back in the day. Plus. he's still young at 28. Or will he be too much for them? - Aaron

A: If Okposo hits the market (he might re-sign with the Islanders) the Red Wings should make a pitch for him. He has decent size (6-0, 217), scoring ability (22 or more goals three times) and shoots right (something they lack).

How active they'll be in free agency depends on whether they're able to unload Pavel Datsyuk's $7.5 million cap hit, assuming he leaves.

Q: What do you think about potentially trading up in the draft? Maybe packaging Jimmy Howard plus a prospect that may not have much of a future with our club and the 16th pick to Calgary for the sixth pick? As of yet Calgary has no goalies under contract for the upcoming season. The Wings can then use that pick to maybe take (Jakob) Chychrun (of Sarnia) or whoever the best D-man is still available? - Austin

A: Not likely. It's a strong draft and I don't think any team will be trading out of the top 10. If they do, it'll likely be cost prohibitive for the Red Wings.

The Flames might have interest in Howard but there is no way they would consider including their first pick in any move for him.

Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev of Windsor (OHL) isn't likely to drop to 16th. The Red Wings like him and might try to move up a couple of spots to get him, if possible. But I think they'd be more apt to trade down a few spots and acquire an extra pick (they don't have a third-round selection this year, trading it to New Jersey in 2015 for Marek Zidlicky).

The Toronto Maple Leafs owe the Red Wings a third-round pick (the cost for being allowed to speak to Mike Babcock before his contract expired). The Leafs will decide if it's this year or next year, but it's certain to be 2017, when it's likely to be a lower selection than it is this season.

Q: Who (among Grand Rapids Griffins) might play in Detroit next year? I believe they have three or four defenseman and three or four forwards who have a chance. - Ford

A: Andreas Athanasiou is certain to start the season in Detroit. Anthony Mantha should have a roster spot as well; however, a bad camp or preseason could cost him, since he can still be sent down without waivers.

I would expect Martin Frk to start the season on the Red Wings roster. Their top pick in 2012, Frk is out of options and the club certainly wouldn't want to lose him on waivers. So they must keep him on the roster or trade him. The right-shooting winger had 27 goals and 44 points in his first full season with the Griffins.

Veteran Eric Tangradi, who had 28 goals and 56 points in Grand Rapids, is an option, too.

On defense, Xavier Ouellet is out of options and will be on the NHL roster.

Ryan Sproul and Nick Jensen also lose their waiver-exempt status. They'll be competing for NHL jobs in camp and the preseason. Sproul is intriguing because of his size (6-3, 205) and booming right shot. He didn't progress as fast as they hoped but is coming off his best season (12 goals. 35 points). I don't think he would clear waivers. Jensen is more apt to clear.

Q: Which RFAs would like to be released to move on? -- Jhospers

A: I don't know if any of the RFAs on their NHL roster want to be released to move on, but that's irrelevant. They'll all be made qualifying offers by June 30, enabling the Red Wings to retain their rights. And then they'll be signed, one by one, before camp. The list includes Petr Mrazek, Danny DeKeyser, Riley Sheahan, Teemu Pulkkinen and Alexey Marchenko. Of this group, I think the only one who might be traded is Pulkkinen.

They also have many RFAs in Grand Rapids: Jared Coreau, Tomas Nosek, Mitch Callahan, Louis-Marc Aubry, Colin Campbell, Ryan Sproul and Brian Lashoff. They'll all be re-signed, in all likelihood. Teams generally retain their RFAs rather than lose the asset for nothing.

Q: With the World Cup taking places this year (Sept. 17-Oct. 1), when will the traditional training camps for teams start? Will they run during the World Cup tournament without their star players, or will 'elite' players practice with their respective teams before the tournament? - Andy

A: Camp dates haven't been announced yet, but I believe they're opening a week later than usual, around Sept. 23. Teams will be missing many key players who'll be taking part in the World Cup.

Thanks for participating. If you have a Red Wings-related question, email me at akhan1@mlive.com.

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