8 Reasons The Detroit Red Wings Season Will Be Great

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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