There's a new head coach and a couple of high-profile free-agent additions, but Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland doesn't want too much to change from last year's team. Aside, of course, from the first-round exit. "We're disappointed we haven't gotten on playoff runs but we're the only team in the league to make the playoffs 10 years in a salary-cap world," Holland said. "We had 100 points last year, we haven't found a way to advance." Mike Babcock is gone, but expectations remain high. In fact, there's a quiet organizational confidence that his replacement, Jeff Blashill, is just the guy to guide this interesting mix of talented young players and experienced veterans.
BEST NEW FACES
After a few years of playing the bridesmaid in free agency, the Red Wings landed two of their biggest targets in signing forward Brad Richards and defenseman Mike Green. Richards is the typical Holland addition, a veteran hungry to add another Stanley Cup at the end of his career. Green fills the need for a high-end, right-handed defenseman that has plagued Detroit for years. Last season was his best in years, and he finished with 45 points in 72 games. His minutes were below 20 per game and often against easier competition, but the Wings are paying him top-pair money so his role will have to expand. The best new face would be center Dylan Larkin if he were guaranteed to be on the roster on opening night. Larkin is a big talent and the Red Wings rarely rush prospects, so the bet is he starts in the AHL. If he doesn't, Larkin has the skill set to immediately be an impact player in the NHL.
BIGGEST UNKNOWNS
For the first time in years, there's an unknown behind the bench. Blashill replaces Babcock after piling up wins in the AHL, including a Calder Cup in 2013. The Red Wings believe they've got the next Jon Cooper and didn't interview anyone else for the head job. It was going to be either Babcock or Blashill, and Holland sees similarities between the two. "I think Blash believes that a lot of things Mike Babcock did were the way you want to see a team play," Holland said. There will be a learning curve, but those who played for Blashill swear by him and the veterans on the team sound like they were ready for a new voice. The other unknown is in goal, where Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek will battle for playing time. Howard lost the job to Mrazek down the stretch last season and in the playoffs. Mrazek earned the respect of teammates with his performance against the Lightning. "I feel like he doesn't care if it's the playoffs or it's street hockey," said Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar. "He just does his job and is enjoying it."
SURE THINGS
Pavel Datsyuk's start date is no sure thing as he recovers from ankle surgery, but when he's healthy and on the ice, Datsyuk is still the team's best player. He's 37 years old and continues to put up a point per game, a magician on offense and relentless on defense. The young players want to get Datsyuk another long playoff run while he's on top of his game, because the clock is ticking. "I hope he's going to be like [Jaromir] Jagr -- just keep on playing," Tatar said. "But obviously, yeah, we're counting the years. It's an end of an era when Pavs leaves Detroit." Datsyuk has two more years left on his contract, which many believe will be his last in the NHL. The other sure thing is on defense, where the steady Niklas Kronwall makes up half the Wings' top pairing.
WORLD CUP CANDIDATES
For a team that has always had international flair, there's no shortage of candidates to play in the 2016 World Cup. The Swedes are loaded with young defensemen, but Kronwall is a veteran presence who can provide experience. Henrik Zetterberg is a lock to play up front for Sweden, and Gustav Nyquist is a strong favorite. Datsyuk will play for Russia if he's healthy, and if Mrazek can grab the starting role in Detroit, he'll be in a good spot to be the top man for the Czech Republic. Larkin is a wild card for Team North America. That group is loaded down the middle and Larkin is a longshot, but he's definitely someone to be watched if he's in the NHL this season.
PENDING FREE AGENTS
With a slew of young forwards coming in the organization, Holland and assistant GM Ryan Martin have given themselves flexibility. Darren Helm, Richards, Drew Miller, Joakim Andersson and Dan Cleary all come off the books after this season. Depending on which of the young players are ready, management can bring back as many or as few of that group as necessary. Justin Abdelkader is one to watch. He's a bargain at $1.8 million this season and is slated for unrestricted free agency. He's coming off a career-high 23 goals, but they came on an inflated 14.9 shooting percentage. He made the most of power-play time last season and provides a physical element the team needs, playing right on the line between clean and dangerous. The Red Wings are a different team when Abdelkader is in the lineup, and they want to get a deal done before he hits the market.
PREDICTION
There's talent throughout the lineup and motivation to prove they weren't a product of Babcock's coaching last season. The goaltending competition is an area of concern, but this team is poised for a strong season if Howard or Mrazek seizes the opportunity. Second in the Atlantic Division