Predictions for the upcoming season

Now that the Wings have finished their roster, other than a small chance at trading for a forward capable of scoring 60+ points if the right situation presents itself, it's time for some predictions for the 2011-12 season.

Jiri Hudler will score at least 50 points.  He managed 37 last season despite playing terrible, bouncing around the lines, spending part of the time playing with two grinders, and being a healthy scratch.  An improved mental outlook and consistent ice time should boost him back up to the 50+ point plateau.

Pavel Datsyuk will win the Selke.  Not much of a stretch here, as the biggest reason he didn't win last year is because he missed so many games.  Datsyuk is the premier two way center in the NHL, and the only reason he's not one of the NHL's poster boys is that he's Russian and not flashy like Ovechkin.

Half of the Wings fan base will insist that Hudler is terrible, even while he's scoring his 50+ points.  It doesn't matter what some players do, fans don't like them.  Hudler does have limitations with his smurf-like stature and lack of speed, but he does play hard when he's on the game and his size doesn't prevent him from going into the hard areas of the ice.  Granted, he's not very effective along the boards, but he does try.

Mike Babcock will give the Death Stare 682 times.  In the first week.  And at least one prospect will be scared by it.

Something will be said about the Wings' age at least 3 times in every national broadcast featuring them.  Of course, the fact that Lidstrom is the only defenseman over the age of 32, and the majority of their forwards are in or are just coming into their prime years will be completely ignored.  But Mike millbury, Pierre Maguire, and Barry Melrose have never let facts get int he way when it's time to predict the Wings' demise, why start now?

The Wings will make a trade to bring in an upgrade at at least one position by the trade deadline.  This is the first time since the cap was implemented where the Wings haven't gone into the season at or near the cap.  Some of the money needs to be set aside to bring back Kronwall, Stuart, Kindl, and their other pending free agents and sign Lidstrom's replacement, but Holland will have money to play with.

Brendan Smith will play in 20 games or so.  If he plays well, fans, and possible Babcock, will say that he needs to be up full time RIGHT NOW!  If he plays well, fans will wonder how he was rated so highly.  Either way he will be sent back to Grand Rapids and will be a full time Wing in the '12-'13 season.

Filppula will have a breakout year and hit the 60 point mark.  No, we really mean it this time.  Seriously.  OK, probably not, but it's getting to be a rite of the off season to predict a big year from the Finn.  Either way, 40 points and solid 2-way play makes him a valuable, and often under-appreciated, member of the team.

There will be 6,294 "they should trade Hudler/Filppula/Bertuzzi" and 649 "Homer should retire" threads on each message board. 

Detroit will win the Cup if they stay healthy.  San Jose will be exposed as not as good as people think they are after trading so many players to bring in Havlat and Burns, the Blackhawks and Kings won't have the depth, and the Canucks will choke a round earlier than they did this past playoff.