RED WINGS

Ted Kulfan's final Red Wings grades

Click through the gallery as Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News gives his final grades for the Red Wings.
Click through the gallery as Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News gives his final grades for the Red Wings.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
GOALIES
GOALIES
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
Jared Coreau – AGE: 25 CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $612,500 per. STATS: 5-4-3, .887 SVS 3.46 GAA. COMMENT: There were flashes of potential, but some ugly moments that showed Coreau still has a ways to go. He's clearly a backup at this time. GRADE: C-minus.
Jared Coreau – AGE: 25 CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $612,500 per. STATS: 5-4-3, .887 SVS 3.46 GAA. COMMENT: There were flashes of potential, but some ugly moments that showed Coreau still has a ways to go. He's clearly a backup at this time. GRADE: C-minus.
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
Jimmy Howard –. AGE: 33. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $5.291 per season. STATS: 10-11-1, .927 SVS., 2.10 GAA. 
COMMENT: He was the team's best goalie and removed any thoughts he was on the downside of his career. But the future remains murky, because of two No. 1-quality goalies on roster. GRADE: A.
Jimmy Howard –. AGE: 33. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $5.291 per season. STATS: 10-11-1, .927 SVS., 2.10 GAA. COMMENT: He was the team's best goalie and removed any thoughts he was on the downside of his career. But the future remains murky, because of two No. 1-quality goalies on roster. GRADE: A.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Petr Mrazek – AGE: 25. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $4 million per. STATS: 18-21-9, .901 SVS, 3.04 GAA. COMMENT: What happened? Rarely did Mrazek look like the franchise goalie many suspected, and suddenly there's some thought as to whether Mrazek can be a long-term No. 1. GRADE: D.
Petr Mrazek – AGE: 25. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $4 million per. STATS: 18-21-9, .901 SVS, 3.04 GAA. COMMENT: What happened? Rarely did Mrazek look like the franchise goalie many suspected, and suddenly there's some thought as to whether Mrazek can be a long-term No. 1. GRADE: D.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
DEFENSEMEN
DEFENSEMEN
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Danny DeKeyser – AGE: 27. CONTRACT: Ends 2022, $5 million per. STATS: 82 games, 4 goals, 8 assists. COMMENT: The consistency that had been a trademark of his game didn't appear for lengths of time. Most nights, DeKeyser looked overmatched against opponents’ top lines. GRADE: D.
Danny DeKeyser – AGE: 27. CONTRACT: Ends 2022, $5 million per. STATS: 82 games, 4 goals, 8 assists. COMMENT: The consistency that had been a trademark of his game didn't appear for lengths of time. Most nights, DeKeyser looked overmatched against opponents’ top lines. GRADE: D.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Jonathan Ericsson – AGE: 33. CONTRACT: Ends 2020, $4.25 million per; STATS: 51 games, 1 goal, 8 assists.
COMMENT: His detractors on social media may not agree, but Ericsson was just fine in his role as a third-pairing defenseman. Ericsson’s size, skating ability wouldn’t be easy to replace.  GRADE: C-plus.
Jonathan Ericsson – AGE: 33. CONTRACT: Ends 2020, $4.25 million per; STATS: 51 games, 1 goal, 8 assists. COMMENT: His detractors on social media may not agree, but Ericsson was just fine in his role as a third-pairing defenseman. Ericsson’s size, skating ability wouldn’t be easy to replace. GRADE: C-plus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Mike Green – AGE: 31: CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $6 million per.  STATS: 72 games, 14 goals, 22 assists. COMMENT: Much better than a year ago, Green appeared more comfortable and confident and played like it. His offensive instincts are impressive. But, oh, those glaring defensive mistakes. GRADE: B.
Mike Green – AGE: 31: CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $6 million per. STATS: 72 games, 14 goals, 22 assists. COMMENT: Much better than a year ago, Green appeared more comfortable and confident and played like it. His offensive instincts are impressive. But, oh, those glaring defensive mistakes. GRADE: B.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Nick Jensen – AGE: 26. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $812,500 per: STATS: 49 games, 4 goals, 9 assists. COMMENT: Jensen was a pleasant surprise. His future in the organization was cloudy after training camp as he didn’t make the team. But given an opportunity, he showed impressive offensive ability. GRADE: C-plus.
Nick Jensen – AGE: 26. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $812,500 per: STATS: 49 games, 4 goals, 9 assists. COMMENT: Jensen was a pleasant surprise. His future in the organization was cloudy after training camp as he didn’t make the team. But given an opportunity, he showed impressive offensive ability. GRADE: C-plus.
David Guralnick
Niklas Kronwall – AGE: 36. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $4.75 million per: STATS: 57 games, 2 goals, 11 assists. COMMENT:  Kronwall played with admirable grit down the stretch, but all those years and battles have slowly begun to wear him down. GRADE: D-plus.
Niklas Kronwall – AGE: 36. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $4.75 million per: STATS: 57 games, 2 goals, 11 assists. COMMENT: Kronwall played with admirable grit down the stretch, but all those years and battles have slowly begun to wear him down. GRADE: D-plus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Xavier Ouellet – AGE: 23: CONTRACT: Restricted free agent.  STATS: 66 games, 3 goals, 9 assists. COMMENT: Ouellet finally landed a roster spot and performed to how he was advertised -- not flashy, but does a lot of things well. Ouellet was effective on the penalty kill. GRADE: C.
Xavier Ouellet – AGE: 23: CONTRACT: Restricted free agent. STATS: 66 games, 3 goals, 9 assists. COMMENT: Ouellet finally landed a roster spot and performed to how he was advertised -- not flashy, but does a lot of things well. Ouellet was effective on the penalty kill. GRADE: C.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Robbie Russo – AGE: 24: CONTRACT: restricted free agent. STATS: 19 games, 0 goals, 0 assists. COMMENT: Russo showed he might be ready for full-time NHL duty, but a little more seasoning in Grand Rapids likely would help a lot. GRADE: INC.
Robbie Russo – AGE: 24: CONTRACT: restricted free agent. STATS: 19 games, 0 goals, 0 assists. COMMENT: Russo showed he might be ready for full-time NHL duty, but a little more seasoning in Grand Rapids likely would help a lot. GRADE: INC.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Ryan Sproul – AGE: 24. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $625,000. STATS: 27 games, 1 goals, 6 assists. COMMENT: A knee injury cut short his season, but Sproul never was able to consistently crack the lineup. He can spark a power play, has a great shot, but other parts of his game are question marks. GRADE: D.
Ryan Sproul – AGE: 24. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $625,000. STATS: 27 games, 1 goals, 6 assists. COMMENT: A knee injury cut short his season, but Sproul never was able to consistently crack the lineup. He can spark a power play, has a great shot, but other parts of his game are question marks. GRADE: D.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
FORWARDS
FORWARDS
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
Justin Abdelkader – AGE: 30. CONTRACT: Ends 2023, $4.25 million per: STATS: 64 games, 7 goals, 14 assists.
COMMENT: A knee injury limited his season and production. Abdelkader's effectiveness around the net never materialized, although he maintained a physical presence. GRADE: D-plus.
Justin Abdelkader – AGE: 30. CONTRACT: Ends 2023, $4.25 million per: STATS: 64 games, 7 goals, 14 assists. COMMENT: A knee injury limited his season and production. Abdelkader's effectiveness around the net never materialized, although he maintained a physical presence. GRADE: D-plus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Andreas Athanasiou – AGE: 22: CONTRACT: Restricted free agent. STATS: 64 games, 18 goals, 11 assists.
COMMENT: There's no question Athanasiou has offensive skills, and the speed is electrifying. But there's concern about his inability to compete game after game, and there's plenty to learn defensively. GRADE: B.
Andreas Athanasiou – AGE: 22: CONTRACT: Restricted free agent. STATS: 64 games, 18 goals, 11 assists. COMMENT: There's no question Athanasiou has offensive skills, and the speed is electrifying. But there's concern about his inability to compete game after game, and there's plenty to learn defensively. GRADE: B.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Luke Glendening – AGE: 27: CONTRACT: Ends 2021, $1.8 million per: STATS: 74 games, 3 goals, 11 assists. COMMENT: Stayed on the fourth line the majority of the season, but didn't have the impact he's had in previous seasons. Glendening's offensive contributions have disappeared. GRADE: D.
Luke Glendening – AGE: 27: CONTRACT: Ends 2021, $1.8 million per: STATS: 74 games, 3 goals, 11 assists. COMMENT: Stayed on the fourth line the majority of the season, but didn't have the impact he's had in previous seasons. Glendening's offensive contributions have disappeared. GRADE: D.
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
Darren Helm – AGE: 30. CONTRACT: Ends 2021, $3.85 million per: STATS: 50 games, 8 goals, 9 assists. COMMENT: Injuries continue to limit Helm's time in the lineup and effectiveness. The Red Wings were hoping for more offense, and Helm's defensive numbers were down. GRADE: D-plus.
Darren Helm – AGE: 30. CONTRACT: Ends 2021, $3.85 million per: STATS: 50 games, 8 goals, 9 assists. COMMENT: Injuries continue to limit Helm's time in the lineup and effectiveness. The Red Wings were hoping for more offense, and Helm's defensive numbers were down. GRADE: D-plus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Dylan Larkin – AGE: 20: CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $925,000. STATS: 80 games, 17 goals, 15 assists. COMMENT: Larkin didn't have the type of season most envisioned. The hope is Larkin gets back to his projected offensive numbers next season as he gets moved to center. GRADE: D-plus.
Dylan Larkin – AGE: 20: CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $925,000. STATS: 80 games, 17 goals, 15 assists. COMMENT: Larkin didn't have the type of season most envisioned. The hope is Larkin gets back to his projected offensive numbers next season as he gets moved to center. GRADE: D-plus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Anthony Mantha – AGE: 22. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $863,333 per. STATS: 60 games, 17 goals, 19 assists. COMMENT: There's no question Mantha knows how to score. But he needs to consistently play with intensity and  skate hard, and avoid defensive lapses. GRADE: B.
Anthony Mantha – AGE: 22. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $863,333 per. STATS: 60 games, 17 goals, 19 assists. COMMENT: There's no question Mantha knows how to score. But he needs to consistently play with intensity and skate hard, and avoid defensive lapses. GRADE: B.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Drew Miller – AGE: 33. CONTRACT: Unrestricted free agent: STATS: 55 games, 5 goals, 2 assists. COMMENT: Miller was waived earlier this season, then was sent to Grand Rapids when no team claimed him, as younger players moved ahead of him on the depth chart. The speed of today's NHL has caught up to him. GRADE: D.
Drew Miller – AGE: 33. CONTRACT: Unrestricted free agent: STATS: 55 games, 5 goals, 2 assists. COMMENT: Miller was waived earlier this season, then was sent to Grand Rapids when no team claimed him, as younger players moved ahead of him on the depth chart. The speed of today's NHL has caught up to him. GRADE: D.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Frans Nielsen - AGE: 32: CONTRACT: Ends 2022, $5.25 million per. STATS: 79 games, 17 goals, 24 assists. COMMENT: Nielsen was a solid professional, steady, didn't overwhelm anybody, and considering the contract, probably didn't do enough offensively. GRADE: C.
Frans Nielsen - AGE: 32: CONTRACT: Ends 2022, $5.25 million per. STATS: 79 games, 17 goals, 24 assists. COMMENT: Nielsen was a solid professional, steady, didn't overwhelm anybody, and considering the contract, probably didn't do enough offensively. GRADE: C.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Tomas Nosek – AGE: 24. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $612,500 per. STATS: 11 games, 1 goal, 0 assists. COMMENT: Certainly showed in a late-season promotion that he's ready for full-time NHL duty. Nosek has size, isn't afraid of going into the tough areas, and has improved his skating. GRADE: INC.
Tomas Nosek – AGE: 24. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $612,500 per. STATS: 11 games, 1 goal, 0 assists. COMMENT: Certainly showed in a late-season promotion that he's ready for full-time NHL duty. Nosek has size, isn't afraid of going into the tough areas, and has improved his skating. GRADE: INC.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Gustav Nyquist – AGE: 27. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $4.75 million. STATS: 76 games, 12 goals, 36 assists. COMMENT: Nyquist flourished late in the season, showing a level of playmaking ability many weren't sure he had. The goals continue to slip, but if Nyquist's assists climb, the Wings will take it. GRADE: C.
Gustav Nyquist – AGE: 27. CONTRACT: Ends 2019, $4.75 million. STATS: 76 games, 12 goals, 36 assists. COMMENT: Nyquist flourished late in the season, showing a level of playmaking ability many weren't sure he had. The goals continue to slip, but if Nyquist's assists climb, the Wings will take it. GRADE: C.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Tomas Tatar – AGE: 26. CONTRACT: Restricted free agent: STATS: 82 games, 25 goals, 21 assists. COMMENT: Tatar's off-season shoulder surgery is a mild concern, but give him credit for playing through the pain and leading the team in goals. Tatar is one of the Wings' few movable assets. GRADE: B-minus.
Tomas Tatar – AGE: 26. CONTRACT: Restricted free agent: STATS: 82 games, 25 goals, 21 assists. COMMENT: Tatar's off-season shoulder surgery is a mild concern, but give him credit for playing through the pain and leading the team in goals. Tatar is one of the Wings' few movable assets. GRADE: B-minus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Riley Sheahan – AGE: 25. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $2.075 million: STATS: 80 games, 2 goals, 11 assists. COMMENT: Considering how much ice time Sheahan earned, including the power play, the lack of offense was startling. Also was a team-worst minus-29.  GRADE: F.
Riley Sheahan – AGE: 25. CONTRACT: Ends 2018, $2.075 million: STATS: 80 games, 2 goals, 11 assists. COMMENT: Considering how much ice time Sheahan earned, including the power play, the lack of offense was startling. Also was a team-worst minus-29. GRADE: F.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Henrik Zetterberg – AGE: 36. CONTRACT: Ends 2021, $6.08 million per: STATS: 82 games, 17 goals, 51 assists. COMMENT: This was a truly impressive season on so many levels for the captain. He came in determined to be consistently productive and he was, and provided stout leadership. GRADE: A.
Henrik Zetterberg – AGE: 36. CONTRACT: Ends 2021, $6.08 million per: STATS: 82 games, 17 goals, 51 assists. COMMENT: This was a truly impressive season on so many levels for the captain. He came in determined to be consistently productive and he was, and provided stout leadership. GRADE: A.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
COACHES: Jeff Blashill and his assistants couldn't get the power play fixed until it was too late. A concern is that so many players on the roster either regressed or stalled in their development, though the fact this team played as hard as it did the final six weeks was impressive. GRADE: C-minus.
COACHES: Jeff Blashill and his assistants couldn't get the power play fixed until it was too late. A concern is that so many players on the roster either regressed or stalled in their development, though the fact this team played as hard as it did the final six weeks was impressive. GRADE: C-minus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
FRONT OFFICE: Ken Holland received a vote of confidence from Chris Ilitch after the season, but seeing a playoff streak of 25 seasons come to an end – and moving into a new arena in October – the pressure is on. The scouts have to find gems they haven't been able to in recent years. GRADE: D.
FRONT OFFICE: Ken Holland received a vote of confidence from Chris Ilitch after the season, but seeing a playoff streak of 25 seasons come to an end – and moving into a new arena in October – the pressure is on. The scouts have to find gems they haven't been able to in recent years. GRADE: D.
David Guralnick, Detroit News