Five burning questions in Hockeytown
By @MichaelCaples –
The summer is here for Hockeytown, unfortunately. With the Red Wings’ season once again coming to an early close, there are many questions swirling around Detroit’s Original Six franchise.
Here are five that need answers this offseason:
What to do with Johan Franzen?
Remember Johan Franzen, the Red Wings’ power forward who would score big playoff goals again and again? A series of head injuries has kept him out of the lineup on a consistent basis for the last few years, and there has to become a point in time where the Red Wings have to consider life without him. His 11-year contract (that began in 2009-10) was a front-loaded $43.5-million addition to Franzen’s bank account, which is an average cap hit of $3.95 million. Now, when he is on injured-reserve, his salary doesn’t count against the Red Wings’ cap space, but, should he be in any of the Wings’ plans moving forward? It might be time to start looking for ‘The Next Johan Franzen’ – a big forward who knows how to find the back of the net.
What happens with the goalies?
Petr Mrazek sure has thrown a wrench in that ‘Jimmy Howard is the Red Wings’ goalie of the present and future’ plan. The young Czech goaltender, a bright spot on a disappointing Red Wings postseason appearance, has earned a permanent locker stall in the Detroit locker room. Meanwhile, if he is the true starting goaltender for the Red Wings, that means Howard and his six-year, $31.8-million contract will be spending a lot of time on the bench next season. Do the Red Wings try to trade him to bolster their lineup? Seeing as how the goaltender position can be quite the rollercoaster ride for a team and its fanbase, it’s not hard to understand why Ken Holland may want to keep Howard around. At the same time, that’s one expensive back-up goaltender in a salary cap league. Plus, Jonas Gustavsson is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Will the Red Wings let him walk? They would have to if they plan on keeping Mrazek and Howard as a tandem.
What will the Detroit defense look like next year?
What will the defensive unit look like next year? The only unrestricted free agent the Red Wings have on defense is Marek Zidlicky, who came as one of their ‘rental player’ trade deadline acquisitions. Brendan Smith is a restricted free agent, as well. That said, Holland may be looking for upgrades come signing season, since Jakub Kindl has disappointed and Kyle Quincey has been hot and cold. Between a free-agent signing or a trade, the Wings’ blue line could be in for a shake-up.
Who’s next?
Teemu Pulkkinen, Landon Ferraro, Alexey Marchenko, Xavier Ouellet – they’re all guys who played significant minutes in Detroit this year. Which guys have earned a more permanent stay? Those players, along with top prospects Anthony Mantha and Ryan Sproul, will all be pushing for Red Wings call-ups. Plus, as of right now, Dylan Larkin is still with the University of Michigan, but if the Waterford native shines on a young Team USA roster at the World Championships, who’s to say he doesn’t get a shot next year?
And, of course…
Where will Mike Babcock end up?
This one doesn’t require much explanation – the entire hockey world’s waiting to see how this one plays out. Does he want to stay where he is comfortable, or does he want to chase championships somewhere else? Only time will tell. Given Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch’s track record, money likely isn’t an issue.