Detroit Red Wings: 8 Things To Know About The New Season

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This summer we here at Octopus Thrower have given you, our loyal readers, several Top 5 and 10 lists to help ease the hockey-less summertime blues. Today instead of a Top 5 or 10 list we honor the almighty and lucky octopus by giving you a Top 8 list of things to know about the Detroit Red Wings upcoming 2015-2016 NHL season. These eight items are not in any particular order, so rank and discuss them as you will.

Jun 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill shakes hands with Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) after he 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

#8: There’s A “New” Coach In Town

The name Jeff Blashill isn’t exactly a new name to fans of the Detroit Red Wings, but as expected, he is the new head coach of the team. The only thing that was equally unsurprising as Mike Babcock parting ways with the Detroit Red Wings this past spring, was Jeff Blashill being named the new head coach. Most professional sports teams and fans alike would struggle with losing a high-caliber head coach like Babcock, but luckily for Detroit hockey fan’s, their team had a solid “Plan B”.

Jeff Blashill has excelled and won at every level of hockey that he has coached at. Blashill led the Indiana Ice to the USHL Championship in 2009 during his first year as coach, in 2010-2011 he coached the Western Michigan University Broncos (including Danny DeKeyser) to the CCHA Championship game, and as we all know he took the Grand Rapids Griffins to the Calder Cup Championship in 2013.

Blashill has always had at least one big supporter in the Detroit Red Wings family, former head coach Mike Babcock. We can’t forget that Babcock personally chose to bring Blashill in as an assistant coach for the Red Wings in 2011. Before the Red Wings even officially announced Blashill as the new coach, Babcock had some kind words about his replacement.

“I’m pumped for him. He’s a good man, he’s smart, he’s put his time in, treats people good. He’s demanding. He’s a good hockey coach. I consider him a friend.”

Not a bad endorsement.

Along with having an already established relationship with a majority of the Red Wings’ roster, there is one fact about Blashill that can’t be forgotten. Last year Blashill could have accepted one of several NHL coaching vacancies, instead he chose to remain with the Detroit organization. Bottom line, he wanted to be where he’s at, and I think that’s something you can’t fake or substitute.

Next: #7: There Will Be Defense

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

#7: The Defense Will Be Better

The Wings finally got their long coveted right-handed big name defenceman through free agency this summer by signing veteran Mike Green. Green’s right-shot, offensive ability and veteran leadership will help boost a Detroit defense that has been trying to find its identity since losing Nicklas Lidstrom. Green should be a solid pairing with the young Danny DeKeyser and will also add another weapon to Detroit’s power-play unit.

Going back to Blashill, Jakub Kindl could very well find a resurgence under coach “Blash”. Blashill has been a supporter of Kindl’s and may turn him into a reclamation project of his. Younger blue-liners such as Xavier Ouellet and Alexey Marchenko, who impressed during their time in Detroit last year, may also find some more ice-time as they continue to develop into NHL defencemen.

Apr 8, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

#6: A Battle Between The Pipes

Sticking with the back-end of the Red Wings’ lineup, there will also be a battle for the starting position in net between veteran Jimmy Howard and the youngster Petr Mrazek. After posting all-star like numbers during the first half of the season last year, but never being able to return to that form after a groin injury, Howard will look to find his game and win back the confidence of both coaches and fans.

Petr Mrazek was simply “Mrazekal” during his time as Howard’s replacement. During Jimmy’s six-week absence last season Petr earned the right to start against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the Red Wings’ opening series of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. There he posted two shutouts and made the NHL Save Of The Year against Tampa’s Brian Boyle.

It’ll be interesting to see who wins the starting job for the Red Wings come opening night. It’s also possible that Howard will be able to bounce back and find his game, which would allow the Red Wings to have one of the best goalie tandems in the entire NHL. Only time will tell.

Next: #5: It's Teemu's Time To Shine

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

#5: It’s Teemu Time

Teemu Pulkkinen may face the most pressure out of all the young Detroit Red Wings’ forwards. Last season Teemu played in 31 regular-season games with the Red Wings where he tallied 5 goals and 3 assists. Now, heading into the 2015-2016 NHL season, Pulkkinen is out of options in regards to being sent down the AHL again without first clearing waivers. It’s hard to imagine last season’s AHL scoring champion slipping through the cracks without being picked up by another team.

In regards to Teemu wining the AHL scoring title last season, one has to remember that he still won that award while still playing in the 31 games with the Red Wings. As a matter of fact he played in at least 27 fewer games than the three next-highest AHL goal scorers. This is definitely a guy that the Red Wings don’t want to let slip through their fingers, but it’s also up to Teemu to hone his big shot and make a case for himself.

I expect Pulkky to start on the third-line with Darren Helm and possibly Tomas Jurco as his other winger. It’s hard to not think of Brett Hull when you watch Teemu windup his “Pulkkanon”. The kid loves to shoot, and it’s fun to watch, but as I stated earlier he has to start putting the puck on net.

Next: #4: Will Dylan Do It?

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dylan Larkin puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number fifteen overall pick to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

#4: Will Dylan Larkin Break The Mold?

Dylan Larkin has quickly become the Detroit Red Wings’ top prospect. After the Anthony Mantha hype died down, through no real fault of Mantha’s, Dylan Larkin swooped in and rose to the top of the Detroit prospect list. Yet can Larkin continue his rise to fame and break the mold of Red Wings’ prospects having to spend lengthy amounts of time with the Grand Rapids Griffins?

After deciding to forgo his final year of eligibility at the University of Michigan earlier this year, Larkin signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin, the Red Wings 15th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, almost immediately made his presence known after being assigned to the Griffins during their AHL Western Conference Finals Series against the Utica Comets. Larkin would play in all six games of that series and score 3 goals and 2 assists.

Physically, Dylan Larkin might not be ready for the jump into the NHL, but skill-wise, he may not be that far off. It’s hard to imagine Jeff Blashill and the Wings wanting to stick the young and talented Larkin in a fourth-line grinder role, it’s just not his spot. So if Larkin wants to make the big leap into the big league, he’s going to need to have an impressive training camp next month. But if anybody can do it, it might Dylan Larkin who does.

Next: #3:The Wings Take It Outside

Jan 1, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; A general view of the Detroit Red Wings during the playing of the national anthem before the 2014 Winter Classic hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#3: The Stadium Series Game

The Detroit Red Wings and their old arch-rivals the Colorado Avalanche will take their bitter and storied history outside this February in one of the NHL’s Stadium Series Games. If you didn’t get instantly excited when the league announced that these two teams would be playing in an outdoor game, I don’t want to know you. Or maybe you are just too young to have the bitter blood for the Avalanche in your veins. Either way, this game should be a definite day circled on your calendar.

Though the rivalry between the Wings and Avs has died down over the last two-decades, their wasn’t a much better rivalry during the mid to late 1990’s than Detroit and Colorado. The NHL was a much different league back then, much more “wild-west” than it is today, back then if you had a problem with another player or a team you didn’t wait for the Department of Player Safety to hand down suspensions, you handed down your own. The Wings and Avs left no wrongs go unanswered during this period.

Aside from the actual Stadium Series Game itself, fans of both the Avalanche and Red Wings are eagerly awaiting the Alumni Game. The Avs have already confirmed Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, Peter Forsberg and Rob Blake will participate and the Wings are expected to include Chris Chelios, Brendan Shanahan and Nicklas Lidstrom. Yet as far as fans who remember this feud are concerend, if Claude Lemieux and Darren McCarty (along with the rest of the Grind-Line) aren’t involved, don’t even bother. I’m aware that there wont be a repeat of “Fight Night At The Joe” but just the thought of seeing these legends out there on the ice again brings a smile to my face.

Next: #2: Euro-Twins Activate!

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#2: The Euro-Twins Will Be United

There aren’t many more well-respected duos in the National Hockey League than Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. The “Euro-Twins” as they have affectionately been dubbed, have been the faces of the Detroit Red Wings’ organization during the modern era while also being two of the most electrifying and most well-respected players in the league.

Pav and Hank have an undeniable and beautiful hockey connection whenever they are paired together. Together the duo has provided some extremely memorable moments for both Detroit and hockey fans alike. Though the pair hasn’t got much playing time together over the last few seasons due to injuries and line-juggling, at some point during the upcoming NHL season, expect Datsyuk and Zetterberg to be paired on a line once again to provide some more magical moments.

By signing Brad Richards during the off-season, the Red Wings added a key veteran center that will allow a healthy Datsyuk to be paired with his bearded captain once he’s cleared to play. Once again the key to this reunion will be a fully healthy Red Wings’ roster, but (knock on wood) expect to see it at some point during the year.

Next: #1:The Battle For 25 Years

Apr 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; A octopus outside of Joe Louis Arena prior to game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

#1: The Battle To Continue The Streak

The Red Wings have had to battle harder in the last four to five seasons to keep their 24 year consecutive playoff streak alive harder than they have had to in the previous 20. As the NHL transitions into the salary cap era while the Wings have transitioned into a more youthful squad, the days of cruising into the post-season are over. Nothing is guaranteed in the NHL anymore with talent being so evenly distributed and former bottom-dwellers now becoming competitive, so once again the Wings will definitely have to battle to continue their impressive streak.

But this fact is not being pessimistic in nature, it’s being honest. Every year hockey “experts” say that the Red Wings are “too old” or “not competitive enough” to make the post-season, yet every year the boys in red prove them wrong. I’m sure this year those same “experts” will say that Detroit wont make it with a new coach or find some other reason to slight the streak, but I’m not buying it. Some fans might even say that they prefer the streak to end in favor of another first-round elimination, I say as long as we are in it, we’ve got a chance.

There’s a lot to be optimistic about Hockeytown, more so than the previous few seasons. So let’s keep our fingers crossed and octopus tossed! See you in October!

Next: Ten of Our Favorite Detroit Red Wings Nicknames

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