Grading the Detroit Red Wings: Forwards

Pavel Datsyuk (Valofaerie/Flickr)

As the Stanley Cup Finals begin, Red Wings fan regress as for the first time since 2007, the winged wheel will not be representing the Western Conference. To make matters even worse, it’ll be their long time rival, the Chicago Blackhawks, taking their place.

So as Red Wings fans look back on an unusual season, which saw them flirt with missing the post season for the first time in over 20 years, we take time to evaluate the season as a whole.

After losing Marian Hossa, Mikael Samulesson, Jiri Hudler, and Tomas Kopecky in the offseason, the Red Wings forward group had several questions surrounding it, first and foremost being “how they were going to make up for the 82 goals lost in free agency”. In this column, we’ll take a look at each forward and assess them a letter grade based on the Edna Krabapple bell curve.

Pavel Datsyuk

The Red Wings number 1 center was forced to carry much of the offensive load this season with several key injuries to his supporting cast. The Russian magician lead the Wings in scoring for the 5th straight year with 70 points, and also lead the team in goals with 27. While these numbers were considerably down from his previous years, lack of offensive depth due to injury and playing a stretch of games where Drew Miller was your number 2 center tend to make it that much tougher to produce offensively. When push came to shove after the Olympic break, Datsyuk paced the Red Wings with 21 points in his last 21 games to help the Red Wings secure the number 5 seed in the West. Datsyuk continued his strong play in the post season where he accumulated 13 points in 12 games, including 2 goals in game 7 vs. Phoenix. While his offensive numbers were down, Datsyuk delivered for his team when they needed it most and has earned both Selke and Lady Byng nominations.

Grade: Regular Season: B/Playoffs: A

Tomas Holmstrom

Heading into this season, many Red Wing fans wondered how much Holmstrom had left in the tank. After a lengthy playoff run where he battled constant injuries, many thought this could be the end of the line for number 96. Being one of those Red Wings fans, I am more than happy to say that I was completely wrong (you will notice that this happens on a daily occurrence). Homer finished second to Pavel Datsyuk in goals this season with 25, while only playing in 68 games. As usual, Holmstrom did much of his damage from in front of the net on the powerplay, where he scored 13 of his 25 goals. Finding himself riding shotgun on the Wings top line with Pavel Datsyuk, Holmstrom came up with several big goals for the Wings down the stretch as they fought for their playoff lives (see here). Holmstrom added 4 goals in the playoffs, and will once again will be looked upon a key offensive contributer for the RedWings next season.

Grade: Regular Season: A-/Playoffs: B

Valtteri Filppula

After missing 27 games this season with a wrist injury, Filppula never got himself going until the 2nd half of the season where he emerged as consistent point producer for the Red Wings. Fil immediately clicked with center Henrik Zetterberg when Coach Mike Babcock put them together after the Olympic break, and showed his versatility in moving from the center position (his natural position) to the wing. While he struggled in the 2nd round vs. the Sharks, Filppula had 7 points in the opening round vs. the Coyotes, 6 of which came on the road. Fil has shown his ability to play any of the 3 forward positions and has found good chemistry with both Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Looking ahead to next season, Filppula will be looked upon to help carry the offense in Detroit and emerge into a consistent and reliable offensive weapon for the Wings. Also, when Don Cherry can’t pronounce your name, that generally means you’re a somebody.

Grade: Regular Season:B-/Playoffs: B

Henrik Zetterberg

Detroit's Mr. Everything (Gosh@/ Flickr.)

The other half of Detroit’s two headed monster (Pavel Datsyuk), the Red Wings Mr. Everything was hampered by injuries both early in the season and prior to the Olympics which caused him to miss 8 games. Big Z still managed to clock in at a near point a game pace (70 points in 74 games), and as usual, was at his best when the Wings needed him most. Post Olympics, Zetterberg had 22 points in 21 games, including back to back game winning goals vs. Vancouver and Pittsburgh. In the post season, Zetterberg continually found ways to be the Wings most consistent offensive weapon, tallying 15 points in 12 games. One could easily make the case that the Wings rely on Zetterberg more than any other forward, and a healthy Z might be exactly what the Wings need to reclaim their division title from the Blackhawks next season.

Grade: Regular Season:B+/ Playoffs: A+

Todd Bertuzzi

The up and down offensive season for Todd Bertuzzi was underlined by his consistently strong play at both ends of the nice. Big Bert constantly drew praise from head coach Mike Babcock for his defensive work, an aspect of his game which was much improved from his previous stint in Detroit in 2007. Bertuzzi was the only Red Wings forward to play in all 82 games this season, and at times was forced to carry the teams offensive load on his big broad shoulders. The high point of the season for Bertuzzi came in December, while playing on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, he carried the Wings offensively scoring 8 goals in 8 games, including back to back OT winners. Bertuzzi also chipped in with 11 points in the playoffs, including a monster 5 point effort in game 4 vs. the Sharks. Bertuzzi is still apt to take poorly timed penalties and at times went through offensive slumps including a shocking and inexplicable 19 game goaless drought. Contract talks have already begun to bring Bertuzzi back to Detroit, where he will look to once again compete for a spot on one of the top two scoring lines.

Grade: Regular Season:B/ Playoffs: B

Johan Franzen

Enough said?  The Mule missed 55 games this season with a torn ACL, making him the most missed man in Hockeytown for the majority of the season. When Franzen made his return on February 9th, the Wings went on to win 18 of their last 26 games, with Franzen scoring 21 points. However, as usual with number 93, the Mule did most of his damage in the playoffs where he was the NHL’s leading scorer in the post season after 2 rounds with an astounding 18 points. Franzen also managed at least a point in all 12 Red Wing playoff games.  A grade for him was tough given how much time he missed, but his impact upon his return along with his strong playoff was enough to give him more than a satisfactory grading.

Grade: Regular Season: Inc/ Playoffs: A+

Daniel Cleary

It was a tough season for Cleary this year, as often times he left fans demanding more offensive production. After his strong playoff and invitation to Team Canada’s orientation camp, many in Detroit were excited for a big year from Cleary. However, Cleary struggled out of the gate after missing all of training camp and pre season with a groin injury and had a tough time getting back up to speed early on in the year. When things seemed to be turning around for Clears, he once again found himself out of action, this time for a month with another injury. Cleary was forced back into action early on multiple occasions to help alleviate the Wings season long injury problems. Cleary was constantly rotated between the top 3 lines this season, and even though he ended the year with 15 goals, did not give the Wings consistent enough production, especially in the playoffs where he found the back of the net only twice in 12 games.

Grade: Regular Season: C+/Playoffs: C

Note: Cleary will have a chance at a makeup assignment during the first 3 months of next season.

Darren Helm

Helm’s first full year in the NHL started off slow, but picked up as the year went on. After an early season healthy scratch in a game vs. Vancouver, Helm turned his game around and played all the remaining games for the Wings. Along with Patrick Eaves, Helm was on Detroit’s first unit PK this season which improved drastically from the year before. Helm usually found himself being the fastest player on the ice, and his speed helped him lead the Wings in shorthanded goals with 3.

Grade: Regular Season: B/ Playoffs: B-

Patrick Eaves

Became a fan favorite in Detroit after dropping his gloves with Kris Versteeg in an afternoon game on NBC vs. the Blackhawks, and then scoring to tie the game up moments later. Eaves and Helm were the Wings dynamic duo on the PK this season and drew subtle comparisons to a young Draper/Maltby combo. Eaves is a RFA and both sides would love keep him in Detroit.

Grade: Regular Season: B-/ Playoffs: Incomplete due to injury

Kris Draper

Saying anything bad about Kris Draper doesn’t generally go over well in Detroit. Facts are facts, and Drapes isn’t the player he once was. He still has the pension to pot a big goal from time to time, and he found great chemistry with Helm and Eaves on the Wings 4th line this year, but this year left Red Wing fans wondering how much mileage is left on those 39 year old legs.

Grade: Regular Season: C/ Playoffs: C

Drew Miller

Miller was a welcome addition to the Wings this year and filled in admirably when the Wings had injury problems as he potted 10 goals in 66 games. He has the ability to play both center and wing and found himself contributing on the power play when he got his opportunities. Cap room may be the determining factor as to whether or not Drew returns to the Wings next year, but his strong season will assure he gets a job somewhere in the league.

Grade: Regular Season: B/ Playoffs: B-

Jason Williams

One word: Bust. Was injured for most of the year and provided nothing for the Wings 5 on 5 or on the powerplay. Was benched after game 1 of the Phoenix series and only found himself back in the lineup when Patrick Eaves got hurt. It was also his shot that missed the net that kick started the Thornton and Marleau 2 on 1 that put the Wings down 3-0 in that series. Look for him in a beer league near you next season.

Grade: Epic Fail all around

Justin Abdelkader

Abby went up and down between the Red Wings and the Griffins all year and played only 50 games for the Wings. He was a welcome addition to the Wings in the postseason however, where he lead the Red Wings in hits and was instrumental in a game 2 win over the Coyotes. Abdelkader should crack the lineup next year full time and will battle for the 3 center spot behind Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

Grade: Regular season: Incomplete/ Playoffs: B

Check back for grades for the Red Wings defensemen and goaltenders!