Pat Caputo: No Reason Red Wings Should Make Major Changes
The Red Wings have been so good for so long that any season ending short of a Stanley Cup championship is considered disappointing, let alone not even getting halfway there.
But major changes are not in order. Despite being knocked out of the postseason two straight years in the Western Conference semifinals by the San Jose Sharks, the Red Wings remain good enough to win the Stanley Cup title.
Sports.PAT CAPUTO: No reason Red Wings should make major changes WITH VIDEO
Published: Saturday, May 14, 2011
0diggsdigg ShareThis0By PAT CAPUTO
Of The Oakland Press
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Detroit Red Wings right wing Daniel Cleary (11) celebrates his goal with teammate Todd Bertuzzi during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, May 8, 2011. Detroit won 4-3. San Jose leads the series 3-2. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Red Wings have been so good for so long that any season ending short of a Stanley Cup championship is considered disappointing, let alone not even getting halfway there.
But major changes are not in order. Despite being knocked out of the postseason two straight years in the Western Conference semifinals by the San Jose Sharks, the Red Wings remain good enough to win the Stanley Cup title.
They are strong at the top end with many elite players, this deep and ideal combination of experience and youth, and diversity from around the world that would be the envy of the United Nations.
They also have a top-end goalie. If anything, this playoff season quelled the notion Jimmy Howard is a liability in net.
He wasn't the reason the Red Wings lost. He was the reason they got to a Game 7. At $2.25 million for each of the next two seasons, especially during the salary cap era, Howard is a bargain.
