RED WINGS

Ted Kulfan's midseason Red Wings grades

Detroit News sports writer Ted Kulfan grades the Red Wings’ individual players for the first half of this season.
Detroit News sports writer Ted Kulfan grades the Red Wings’ individual players for the first half of this season.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
FORWARDS: Justin Abdelkader – On pace to surpass last season’s career-high in goals (23) and taking on more of a leadership role now that a contract extension has been ironed out. Big piece of the future. GRADE: B.
FORWARDS: Justin Abdelkader – On pace to surpass last season’s career-high in goals (23) and taking on more of a leadership role now that a contract extension has been ironed out. Big piece of the future. GRADE: B.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Joakim Andersson -- Has had difficulty cracking the the lineup and with many young forward prospects on the way, Andersson may not have a future here, although he’s a useful fourth-line player. GRADE: C-minus
Joakim Andersson -- Has had difficulty cracking the the lineup and with many young forward prospects on the way, Andersson may not have a future here, although he’s a useful fourth-line player. GRADE: C-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Pavel Datsyuk – Ankle surgery delayed the start to Datsyuk’s season and his production has only recently got going. The Red Wings need a big second half from Datsyuk. GRADE: B
Pavel Datsyuk – Ankle surgery delayed the start to Datsyuk’s season and his production has only recently got going. The Red Wings need a big second half from Datsyuk. GRADE: B
David Guralnick / Detroit News
Johan Franzen – Only played two games before recurring concussion problems likely shelved his season – and probably his career. GRADE: Incomplete
Johan Franzen – Only played two games before recurring concussion problems likely shelved his season – and probably his career. GRADE: Incomplete
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Luke Glendening – The offense has declined and the plus-minus has taken a hit, but Glendening remains an effective penalty killer and checker. His hard work remains a bedrock. GRADE: C-plus
Luke Glendening – The offense has declined and the plus-minus has taken a hit, but Glendening remains an effective penalty killer and checker. His hard work remains a bedrock. GRADE: C-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Dylan Larkin – At age 19, Larkin has been among the Red Wings’ and NHL rookie point leaders and from day one hasn’t looked out of place. You could argue he’s been their best and most consistent player. GRADE: A.
Dylan Larkin – At age 19, Larkin has been among the Red Wings’ and NHL rookie point leaders and from day one hasn’t looked out of place. You could argue he’s been their best and most consistent player. GRADE: A.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Darren Helm – The offensive production has tailed off, and it took Helm a while to play his usual physical and energy-based game after returning from a training camp shoulder injury. Helm needs to be more of a factor the second half. GRADE: C-minus
Darren Helm – The offensive production has tailed off, and it took Helm a while to play his usual physical and energy-based game after returning from a training camp shoulder injury. Helm needs to be more of a factor the second half. GRADE: C-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Drew Miller – AGE: 32. CONTRACT: Unrestricted free agent. COMMENT: Had season-ending knee surgery, and it’ll be interesting to see how much interest he gets on the free-agent market. VERDICT: Likely leaving.
Drew Miller – AGE: 32. CONTRACT: Unrestricted free agent. COMMENT: Had season-ending knee surgery, and it’ll be interesting to see how much interest he gets on the free-agent market. VERDICT: Likely leaving.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Tomas Jurco – There was hope Jurco could thrive under a new coach and with more opportunities. But he’s been unable to gain a foothold in the lineup and doubts are beginning to develop whether his promise and potential will ever materialize. GRADE: D
Tomas Jurco – There was hope Jurco could thrive under a new coach and with more opportunities. But he’s been unable to gain a foothold in the lineup and doubts are beginning to develop whether his promise and potential will ever materialize. GRADE: D
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Tomas Nosek – Promoted from Grand Rapids just before holidays, Nosek has shown intriguing defensive and penalty-killing instincts. Might have the ability to carve out an effective career concentrating on those aspects of his game. GRADE: Incomplete
Tomas Nosek – Promoted from Grand Rapids just before holidays, Nosek has shown intriguing defensive and penalty-killing instincts. Might have the ability to carve out an effective career concentrating on those aspects of his game. GRADE: Incomplete
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Tomas Tatar – There’s been several goal-scoring droughts but Tatar remains among the team’s goal-scoring leaders and keeps generating chances for himself or linemates. A stronger second half would help the team’s playoff chances – GRADE: B
Tomas Tatar – There’s been several goal-scoring droughts but Tatar remains among the team’s goal-scoring leaders and keeps generating chances for himself or linemates. A stronger second half would help the team’s playoff chances – GRADE: B
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Gustav Nyquist – He’s been streaky, but remains among the team’s goal-scoring leaders and is dangerous on the power play. Still developing defensively, and as an even-strength player. GRADE: B-minus
Gustav Nyquist – He’s been streaky, but remains among the team’s goal-scoring leaders and is dangerous on the power play. Still developing defensively, and as an even-strength player. GRADE: B-minus
David Guralnick / Detroit News
Riley Sheahan – The last few weeks have been much better than the first couple of months. Lack of offensive production and dreary plus-minus rating have been countered with effective net-front presence and learning to use his big body. GRADE: C-minus
Riley Sheahan – The last few weeks have been much better than the first couple of months. Lack of offensive production and dreary plus-minus rating have been countered with effective net-front presence and learning to use his big body. GRADE: C-minus
David Guralnick / Detroit News
Henrik Zetterberg – Has proven second-half slump last season wasn’t permanent. Leads team in assists and has had some timely goals. – GRADE: B-plus
Henrik Zetterberg – Has proven second-half slump last season wasn’t permanent. Leads team in assists and has had some timely goals. – GRADE: B-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Teemu Pulkkinen – A shoulder injury cut short his season, but there were glimpses of his goal-scoring ability, particularly with that booming shot. Pulkkinen should be returning soon. GRADE: C
Teemu Pulkkinen – A shoulder injury cut short his season, but there were glimpses of his goal-scoring ability, particularly with that booming shot. Pulkkinen should be returning soon. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Brad Richards: Injuries limited Richards in the first half, but there have been indications he’s getting healthier and comfortable in his surroundings. He’s had scoring opportunities – just not finished them. GRADE: C
Brad Richards: Injuries limited Richards in the first half, but there have been indications he’s getting healthier and comfortable in his surroundings. He’s had scoring opportunities – just not finished them. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News
DEFENSEMEN: Mike Green –The major free agent signing from the summer has been exactly as advertised. From an offensive standpoint, Green is an elite player, dangerous with the puck on his stick. Defensively, he’s not as good. GRADE: B.
DEFENSEMEN: Mike Green –The major free agent signing from the summer has been exactly as advertised. From an offensive standpoint, Green is an elite player, dangerous with the puck on his stick. Defensively, he’s not as good. GRADE: B.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Alexey Marchenko – Doesn’t play a splashy game by any means, but Marchenko plays the steady, no-frills type of game that could keep him in the NHL for a number of years. GRADE: B
Alexey Marchenko – Doesn’t play a splashy game by any means, but Marchenko plays the steady, no-frills type of game that could keep him in the NHL for a number of years. GRADE: B
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Jakub Kindl – Even with a new coach, it still hasn’t changed for Kindl. He’s still unable to crack the lineup on a permanent basis and you wonder if he ever will. When Kindl has played, he’s actually looked good. GRADE: C
Jakub Kindl – Even with a new coach, it still hasn’t changed for Kindl. He’s still unable to crack the lineup on a permanent basis and you wonder if he ever will. When Kindl has played, he’s actually looked good. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Brendan Smith – The last month has been the most consistent hockey of Smith's career. GRADE: B
Brendan Smith – The last month has been the most consistent hockey of Smith's career. GRADE: B
David Guralnick / Detroit News
Kyle Quincey – Has only played in seven games because of ankle surgery but should be ready to rejoin the lineup soon. Quincey’s ability on the defensive end will be a welcome addition. GRADE: Incomplete
Kyle Quincey – Has only played in seven games because of ankle surgery but should be ready to rejoin the lineup soon. Quincey’s ability on the defensive end will be a welcome addition. GRADE: Incomplete
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Jonathan Ericsson – Has quietly put together an effective season from a defensive standpoint despite being paired with different partners. Turnovers can be an occasional problem, but is learning how to use his length and size. GRADE: B-minus
Jonathan Ericsson – Has quietly put together an effective season from a defensive standpoint despite being paired with different partners. Turnovers can be an occasional problem, but is learning how to use his length and size. GRADE: B-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Danny DeKeyser – Is developing into one of the premier shut-down defenseman in the league, capable of stopping opposing offensive stars. Will be a key piece of the Red Wings for a long time. GRADE: A-minus
Danny DeKeyser – Is developing into one of the premier shut-down defenseman in the league, capable of stopping opposing offensive stars. Will be a key piece of the Red Wings for a long time. GRADE: A-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Niklas Kronwall – The offensive production has slipped, but it’s on the defensive end where Kronwall just hasn’t been himself. GRADE: D.
Niklas Kronwall – The offensive production has slipped, but it’s on the defensive end where Kronwall just hasn’t been himself. GRADE: D.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
GOALTENDERS: Jimmy Howard – People are concentrating on the last four or five games, but before then, Howard was having a fine season. Obviously needs to put an end to this current slump, but don’t overlook what he’s done for the majority of this season. GRADE: B-minus
GOALTENDERS: Jimmy Howard – People are concentrating on the last four or five games, but before then, Howard was having a fine season. Obviously needs to put an end to this current slump, but don’t overlook what he’s done for the majority of this season. GRADE: B-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Petr Mrazek – Many scouts felt Mrazek would ultimately become the organization’s No. 1 goaltender and he’s continued to show signs of that this first half. He hasn’t had many bad nights in net. GRADE: A-minus
Petr Mrazek – Many scouts felt Mrazek would ultimately become the organization’s No. 1 goaltender and he’s continued to show signs of that this first half. He hasn’t had many bad nights in net. GRADE: A-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News
COACHING: Jeff Blashill – The Red Wings trail some statistically when compared to last season, but overall things haven’t changed much. They’re snug in the playoff chase, and after a rough patch early the Red Wings went on a stretch where they earned points in 13 consecutive games. In a league defined by its parity, this team is as good as any of the better ones. GRADE: B-plus
COACHING: Jeff Blashill – The Red Wings trail some statistically when compared to last season, but overall things haven’t changed much. They’re snug in the playoff chase, and after a rough patch early the Red Wings went on a stretch where they earned points in 13 consecutive games. In a league defined by its parity, this team is as good as any of the better ones. GRADE: B-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News