The Detroit News recently compiled a list of comments hockey writers from across the United State and Canada had on the Detroit Red Wings.
Here are those comments…
George Johnson, Calgary Herald: Another 45-plus win season in the cards for the staggeringly consistent Wings. A tough, competitive division will push them on, and top-end talent remains enviable. Pavel Datsyuk remains arguably the best reason in hockey to splash for a ticket. Brian Rafalski will be missed by one of the favorites out West. Again.
Jim Gintonio, Arizona Republic: These guys could all be 10 years older, and they’d still be a threat to finish in the top four in the West. Seriously, age may creep up on them a little bit this season, but I don’t see any way they do not make the postseason, maybe at No. 5 or No. 6. I know I speak for 14 teams when they can say, “See you later, Detroit,” if the Red Wings move to the Eastern Conference. Heresy for a sportswriter to say this, I know, but I’d pay my way to see Pavel Datsyuk play.
Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun: We’re with most of the NHL on this one, not believing the Wings are too old until we see them with canes and walkers. Some teams will finally catch up, but Wings should make the playoffs to end their Western Conference days on a high.
Bucky Gleason, Buffalo News: The Red Wings and their ageless leaders know Father Time has been nipping at their skates, but they continuously find ways to remain a step ahead of other teams in their division. Only a fool would count them out of the playoffs. Once they reach the postseason, they’re as dangerous as any team in the NHL for one reason above all others: They know what it takes to win.
Ed Willes, Vancouver Province: This is the year age starts to catch up. They make the playoffs but they don’t win the division. Sixth in the West sounds right, behind San Jose. Vancouver, Chicago, Los Angeles and Anaheim.
Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch: The addition of free agent Ian White helps soften the blow of Brian Rafalski’s retirement, and the Wings dodged a huge bullet when ageless Nicklas Lidstrom delayed retirement another year. If veteran Valtteri Filppula can finally become a reliable scorer — not just a second-tier player — the Wings will be difficult to defend. But the Central Division will not allow for many easy nights this season.
Pat Hickey, Montreal Gazette: Like fine wine, players like Nick Lidstrom appear to get better with age. The Red Wings have the core of their Central Division championship team together and should be Cup contenders with improved goaltending from Jimmy Howard.
Josh Cooper, The Tennessean: The Red Wings are the Gold Standard of the Central Division, but they did not make any major upgrades during the offseason. Plus, there is always the question of when age will catch up to them. Still, expect them to challenge for the division crown and the Stanley Cup … again.
Ed Olczyk, NBC analyst: “(They’ll be) right where they always are. Always competing for the conference, always competing for a division championship. You know, it’s amazing the consistency aspect of it. It’s amazing of looking at their roster and seeing some players that maybe are on the back nine or maybe have had a tough time.”