News Update: The Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are an original six team who have earned the respect of many fans over quite a few years. The Red Wings have been hit with a few curveballs recently however, including getting eliminated in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing their captain Nicklas Lidstrom to retirement, and then the lockout hit like a hurricane. Now that the lockout has ended and the NHL season is ready to start, the Detroit squad is facing two more challenges.
April 17, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save on a shot by Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Holmstrom (96) in the second period of game four of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
First of all, Tomas Holmstrom has announced his retirement from the team and it came shortly after the lockout was deemed over. The man who was number two to Nicklas Lidstrom is set to follow his buddies path to retirement, after serving for the team since 1196, when he was drafted 257th overall in 1994. Known for being the man in the crease, he gained a reputation that could not be mirrored. Each game, he got in front of the net and screened the goalie for every shot and helped the Red Wings tremendously. He took pride in getting knocked down by defenders and even some goaltenders just so he could help his team light the lamp. He was known also for his nicknames “Homer” and “Demolition Man,” which he acquired while playing in Sweden. He also assisted the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup Championships. These include the back-to-back wins in 1997 and 1998, 2002, and, their latest, 2008.
Their second challenge is a major problem if not solved soon. They have to name a team captain. With Lidstrom gone, and now Holmstrom, they need to fill the void. Many believe that Henrik Zetterberg would be a fit candidate for the captaincy. There are two other candidates that should be looked over for review. These two options are Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall. The reason Pavel Datsyuk is some what of a back burner for the captains job is because he doesn’t speak very good English. That does seem a little uncalled for, but it is a big factor, even though he could potentially be a terrific leader. Niklas Kronwallis a great candidate for the position because he enforces. He is a big hitter and he can scare any player when he gets ready to hit them. He can intimidate the opposing team and be a strong defenseman. Henrik Zetterberg is a force to be
April 17, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) skates with the puck against the Nashville Predators in game four of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
reckon with, which is why he can be the next captain. He can score and skate. He is fast and not many people can keep up to his speed. Any one of these three can lead the team, it’s just a matter of pulling a name out of the helmet.
With the Red Wings facing major changes and many decisions, they will surely become a strong team in this shortened season, just like they do every season. The chances of them being a great team are good, since they acquired Carlo Colaiacovo (Defense) and Jonas Gustavsson (Goalie). To check out the best news about the Detroit Red Wings, check out the Octopus Thrower website here at Fansided, and check out Too Many Men On The Site’s Twitter page @TooManyMenOTS. You can also tweet me @NardoneDylan.