8 Reasons The Detroit Red Wings Season Will Be Great

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As August begins to wind down and we’re on the cusp of the 2015-2016 season, our focus turns more to what this season will bring. With training camp around the corner, and exhibition games a month away, we’ll take a look at what gives us optimism before any of it starts up–and that optimism fades as realism begins to take hold. So before it all starts, let’s take a look at 8 reasons the Wings’ season looks bright.

Mar 31, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) makes a pass in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Teemu Pulkkinen is Free

After the Wings struggled to score goals in the final two games of their first round series against Tampa Bay, we could only wonder if Teemu Pulkkinen would have made a difference. He set the AHL ablaze in the playoffs–scoring 14 goals in 16 games–a statement that maybe the Red Wings should have thought twice about sending him down.

Now having to pass through waviers, Pulkkinen is a Red Wing and has a new coach that will maximize his offensive output. A common complaint by many fans was that Mike Babcock tried to force square pegs into round holes constantly–Tomas Jurco, Pulkkinen, and the early mental battles with Tomas Tatar come to mind. With Babs in Toronto, Jeff Blashill leads a team very familiar with him (and very happy with him). Pulkkinen’s numbers with Blash in charge were staggering. His skating has improved and he’s got the booming shot. And apparently, he believes that it’s his time to shine with the Wings.

Pissed Pulkky produces. The Marlies and Ice Hogs can vouch for that.

Next: #2: Blashill - Babcock = Win

Jun 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A new voice in Hockeytown

He resurrected Western Michigan. He won a Calder Cup in Grand Rapids. Now he’s in Detroit looking to take the next step in his career and add a Stanley Cup. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.

As the young Red Wings continue to rise and some of the older Wings try to win again in the twilight of their career, Blashill is saddled with having to carry on the daunting task of continuing the longest playoff streak in all of sports. Lest we forget that Blashill coached with Babcock as an assistant in 2011-2012. But it’s all about the optimism he brings. Players sing his praises. GM Ken Holland loves the fact that he’s won at every level. And his development of young talent speaks for itself at both the college and professional level.

Look, Mike Babcock is respected widely throughout the league. On October 9th, he should be given a standing ovation by every Red Wings fan in attendance. But it was clear that a change was necessary for both sides. Blashill is just the change needed.

Next: #3: Tomas Jurco can only get better

Sep 29, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Tomas Jurco (26) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jurco is ready to break out

Last season was an anomaly. There I said it. Jurco was snakebitten by bad luck, restrictive coaching, and a role that wasn’t right for him. Yes responsible play at both ends of the ice is important, but fruitless if it’s not in your hockey DNA. Jurco isn’t a two way forward. He’s a sniper. And he should be treated as such.

He was inconsistent last season and took a step back after his 2013-2014 campaign. But it’s going to be a different Jurco that takes the ice this year. Jurco was another player who flourished under Blash (point per game player in 2013-2014) and he should see similar results this season. Sports is just as mental as it is physical, and with some peace of mind in the form of a new coach, Jurco should improve drastically from his disappointing numbers a season ago.

Next: #4: Nyquist & Tatar are ready to take over

Mar 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Gustav Nyquist (14) celebrates with from left wing Tomas Tatar (21) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Joe Louis Arena. The Coyotes won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Nyquist and Tatar are the new core

Tomas Tatar took the next step in the playoffs and Gustav Nyquist should be next. Many forget his contributions during the Western quarterfinals victory over Anaheim where he scored a game winner in Game 2. Nyquist played better, but was still somewhat absent in the playoffs. Pavel Datsyuk was accused of the same thing for many years. We all know what happened after that.

Tatar and Nyquist both improved statistically in the regular season and carried the team through stretches of the season. It was the first time they had a full season in Detroit. There were concerns that they would not be ready to carry the torch. Those doubts were unfounded.

The new core of Red Wings hockey is Tatar and Nyquist.

Next: #5: Petr Mrazek is the real deal

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mrazek is ready for primetime

If the Red Wings could have scored just a couple goals in the Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Petr Mrazek would have pulled off one of the better goalie heists in recent memory. Mrazek stood tall throughout the series, frustrating the top scoring team in the league through seven tough contests. Though the series didn’t go Detroit’s way, it did show that the young netminder was ready to take the team on his shoulders.

The combinations of swagger and timely saves kept the Wings in a series where they looked lost until Game 3 when a series tie became a series lead. They were 5 minutes from a 3-1 stranglehold until Tyler Johnson broke loose and scored. But I digress.

Mrazek ended the playoffs with a .925% save percentage and nearly stole a series no one picked the Red Wings to win. It was also with Mrazek the Wings maintained their winning ways when Jimmy Howard went down. Mrazek thrives in the spotlight when the pressure is amped up.

He’s exactly what this team needs.

Next: #6: Mike Green and the Power Play

Mar 19, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Green will quarterback a potent powerplay

There’s a reason the Red Wings signed Mike Green to the contract they did–to add more punch from the blue line in the way of goals. Green is the power play quarterback the Red Wings have lacked since the retirements of Brian Rafalski and Nick Lidstrom. He enjoyed one of his best seasons in years in 2014-2015, and stayed healthy. A similar showing this season will pay rich dividends to a young team looking to build on its power play success from a year ago.

Sure he’s a liability on defense at times. And as mentioned earlier, he’s struggled with staying healthy. But the Red Wings are a much better team with Green than they were without him. His first goal or his setup of a goal will be a testament to that.

Next: #7: Young talent is oozing out of Grand Rapids

Jan 20, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) receives congratulations from defenseman Xavier Ouellet (61) after scoring in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Help is always available in Grand Rapids

Take your pick. Dylan Larkin. Anthony Mantha. Andreas Athanasiou. Tyler Bertuzzi. Xavier Ouellet. Alexey Marchenko. Joe Hicketts. Ryan Sproul.

The Red Wings have one of the most fertile farm systems in hockey. There’s a plethora of talent waiting to come to the NHL and while they wait, they’re coached by one of the best in Todd Nelson, who made an underachieving Edmonton Oilers team better. Many argue that Larkin may even break camp with the Red Wings.

Regardless of what happens, the Red Wings have talent waiting, and getting better while they’re waiting. The future isn’t just bright–it’s glowing with potential stars.

Next: #8: They have the best GM in the game

Feb 14, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Ken Holland is the best in the business

Ken Holland has seen the cloud of doom forecasted for years. In the early 2000’s they were too old. The salary cap would destroy the Wings.

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