DETROIT RED WINGS
Last season: 41-32-9, missed playoffs for franchise-record eighth straight season.
COACH: Derek Lalonde (76-69-19 in two seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 10 vs. Pittsburgh.
DEPARTURES: C Robby Fabbri, D Shayne Gostisbehere, LW David Perron, G James Reimer, RW Daniel Sprong, D Jake Walman.
ADDITIONS: RW Vladimir Tarasenko, D Erik Gustafsson, G Cam Talbot, C Tyler Motte, RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.
GOALIES: Talbot (27-20-6, 2.5 goals-against average, .913 save percentage), Ville Husso (9-5-2, 3.55, .892).
BetMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 40-1.
What to expect
The Red Wings might finally break through and end the franchise's longest playoff drought after losing a tiebreaker for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season. They bolstered an above-average offense by signing Tarasenko to a $9.5 million, two-year deal after he helped Florida win the Stanley Cup and retaining Patrick Kane with a one-year contract worth up to $6.5 million. Captain Dylan Larkin has a chance to be Detroit's first player to score 30-plus goals in four straight seasons since Hall of Famer Henrik Zetterberg did it from 2006-09.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Averaging 3.35 goals, ranking ninth in the league last season, shows the team can score enough to win. The Red Wings should be a top-10 team on the power play for the second straight season. Detroit is deep up front and on the back end, giving Lalonde a lot of lineup options.
The not-so-good: Giving up 3.33 goals a game, a total ahead of just seven NHL teams last year, negates the team's ability to win on a consistent basis. With all due respect to Larkin and Kane, Detroit lacks a superstar that most contending teams have on the roster. Husso had an injury-shortened season, causing concerns for a franchise counting on him.
Players to watch
The Red Wings made big investments in defenseman Moritz Seider ($60 million, seven years) and forward Lucas Raymond ($64.6 million, eight years) and desperately needs them both to become stars very soon.
Husso's health is a big key. When the Red Wings have him on the ice, he increases their chances of winning with a 34-13-7 record.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
The Associated Press
