2008 NHL Season Preview: Detroit Red Wings Have Future Stars

It's no surprise that the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings know how to win. Not only are they constantly prepared for the long Stanley Cup run every year, they have some of the best scouting of any team in the NHL. Some of Detroit's star players slipped through the cracks of other teams' radar, and Detroit was there to pick them up. For example, Henrik Zetterberg, this years' MVP in the playoffs, was selected in the seventh round of the NHL Entry Draft. Similarly, star centermen Pavel Datsyuk was selected in the sixth round, with veterans Chris Osgood and Nicklas Lidstrom selected in the third round. It's no doubt that Detroit knows what they're doing when it comes to selecting great players for the future, and this year is no different. Detroit has assembled a nice crop of youngsters who may compete for a spot on this year's roster.

We'll start with a player who spent some time with the Wings during last season's playoff run. Darren Helm spent 18 games with the Wings playing a speedy game under intense pressure. Helm performed well and put up 2 goals and 2 assists as the fourth line center. Helm proved to be one of Detroit's speediest forwards and proved he was capable of competing at a high level. Helm will not be guaranteed a roster spot though, as he will have to earn his way onto the team next season. The argument will be his development, he could play a major role for Detroit's minor league team in Grand Rapids, or he could be a third line center for the Wings playing only a handful of minutes a game. His play during training camp will determine where he may end up next season.

Another player that made his NHL debut last season with the Wings was Mattias Ritola. Ritola played a pair of games with the Wings last season and recorded an assist. Ritola, chosen number 103 overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, will not likely make this year's team. The Wings hope that another year or two with its minor league club will be beneficial to Ritola. Ritola plays a strong game with the puck, and plays like a typical power forward. He had 22 points in 72 games with the Grand Rapids last season and will likely put up better number this season as his skills develop.

As with the rest of the organization, speedy forwards play a pivotal role in the way Detroit plays the game. They hope that winger Jan Mursak will be one of those future players. Mursak's home country of Slovenia isn't known for producing NHL talent, in fact, only Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings is the other Slovenian to play in the NHL. Even so, Mursak's skills with the puck will prove to be an important asset for Detroit as they move into the future. Mursak saw time with Grand Rapids during the playoffs two seasons ago and he was one of their best players. He's not a big guy, but he has the speed and skill to compete at the NHL level.

On defense the Wings are one of the deepest teams in the NHL, but they want to keep it that way as the years pass. Detroit drafted Jakub Kindl in the first round in 2005 with the 19^th pick overall. Kindl has incredible vision and is known for making perfect breakout passes out of the zone. Kindl will have to improve his play in his own zone, but he proved that he can be a go to guy when he put up a plus-42 rating over 176 OHL games for the Kitchener Rangers.

Selected 27^th overall in 2007, Brendan Smith spent last season honing his skills at the University of Wisconsin. Although plagued by injuries during his freshman season, Smith has started making strides in the right direction. Smith grew up playing forward, but later changed to defense. His skating and puck handling ability show his development as a forward, and should provide him with solid offensive skills as a defenseman. Although Smith continues to learn how to play in his own end, his offensive skills will be valuable to Detroit in the future.

Since the retirement of Dominik Hasek last season, the Wings will now need to provide Chris Osgood with a sound back up goaltender. Jimmy Howard is hoping he can be that man, even though Detroit signed free agent Ty Conklin earlier in the summer. Howard has a chance to make this team this year if he continues to progress like he has. He played well at the University of Maine, and then made the move to the AHL where he struggled at first. Last season Howard put together a successful season and the Wings hope he can do the same when the time comes to move to the NHL.