RED WINGSDetroit News' final 2018 Red Wings gradesGo through the gallery to view Ted Kulfan's final grades and analysis for the Detroit Red Wings' 2017-18 season.Illustration By Larry O'Connor/Photos By David Guralnick/Getty ImagesFORWARDSIllustration By Larry O'Connor/Photo By David GuralnickJustin Abdelkader: 75 games, 13 goals, 22 assists. The offense returned, and Abdelkader provided the versatility that’s been a hallmark of his career. Can play up and down the lineup, and provides a physical presence. GRADE: B-minusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsAndreas Athanasiou: 71 games, 16 goals, 17 assists. Is Athanasiou a part of the future, or a trade piece? You can’t underestimate the 16 goals, after missing time because of a contract standoff. But there are too many games you simply don’t notice him. GRADE: C-plusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsDavid Booth: 28 games, 4 goals, 1 assist. Booth made the team out of a professional tryout in training camp. Didn’t play much, but was a good example for young players with his diligent work in weight room and in practice. GRADE: CDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsTyler Bertuzzi: 48 games, 7 goals,17 assists. In the final weeks, Bertuzzi showed the type of player he’s likely to be throughout his career, hanging around the net, scoring dirty goals, and being a valuable complementary piece. GRADE: BDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsLuke Witkowski: 31 games, 1 goal, 3 assists. Was brought in for his physical presence and versatility — can play forward and defense — and did his job. After his 10-game suspension in mid-November, appeared to be a marked man by some referees. GRADE: CDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsMartin Frk: 68 games, 11 goals, 14 assists. Started off so well, as opponents possibly weren’t totally familiar with his booming shot, but teams adjusted. Frk only had one goal over his last 23 games, and it’s up to him to diversify his game. GRADE: CDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsLuke Glendening: 69 games, 11 goals, 8 assists. Had the type of season the organization has come to expect, as an impactful penalty killer and defensive forward, with more offense. Important part of lineup, but with a manageable contract Glendening could be a popular trade target. GRADE: B-minusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsDarren Helm: 75 games, 13 goals, 18 assists. Largely stayed healthy, which has always been a difficulty, and with that Helm had an underrated season. Provided offense, was an able penalty killer and was effective in his usual checking role. Good veteran presence. GRADE: BDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsGustav Nyquist: 82 games, 21 goals, 19 assists. Nyquist had a productive offensive season, and Blashill raved about the competitiveness Nyquist brings to each game. The Wings have a big decision to make going forward, as Nyquist is an unrestricted free agent next summer. GRADE: BDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsDylan Larkin: 82 games, 16 goals, 47 assists. Showed instances where full-fledged stardom may not be far away, particular the last several weeks. Taking on a leadership role, is self-accountable, and wants to face the best players. A definite cornerstone of the organization. GRADE: A-minusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsHenrik Zetterberg: 82 games, 11 goals, 45 assists. His durability these past several seasons after back surgery has been remarkable. Zetterberg continues to be an impactful player on and off the ice. The Wings would be significantly weaker if he weren’t around.GRADE: B-plusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsFrans Nielsen: 79 games, 16 goals, 17 assists. In his second season with the Wings you got a better understanding of what the organization saw when they signed Nielsen. Not a superstar, but a steady, sturdy, pro’s pro who makes his team better in subtle ways. GRADE: BDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsAnthony Mantha: 80 games, 24 goals, 24 assists.: Mantha can be maddening at times with his slumps and occasional lapses on the ice. But few players with his size have the type of hands and offensive instincts he possesses. He’s a big part of the Wings’ future. GRADE: B-plusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsEvgeny Svechnikov: 14 games, 2 goals, 2 assists COMMENT: Didn’t get ample ice time in a late-season audition, but Svechnikov did show some of the characteristics that should serve him well. Effective shot, good size, but might need a bit more seasoning. GRADE: IncompleteDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsDEFENSEMENIllustration By Larry O'Connor/Photos By David GuralnickNick Jensen: 81 games, 0 goals, 15 assists. Held on to a regular spot in the lineup but didn’t necessarily progress after an impressive rookie NHL season. Jensen could be traded to open defensive positions for next season. GRADE: C-minusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsDanny DeKeyser: 65 games, 6 goals, 6 assists. An ankle injury stalled DeKeyser’s start, and it took a while to get his timing. Was much better the second half, getting involved offensively and playing some of his best overall hockey in several years. GRADE: B-minusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsMike Green: 66 games, 8 goals, 25 assists. Neck surgery cut short his season, and leads to a murky future. The Wings might be interested if it’s a short-term deal. Otherwise, it makes sense for the organization to promote from Grand Rapids. GRADE: C-plusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsJonathan Ericsson: 81 games, 3 goals, 10 assists. Ericsson formed a decent top defensive pairing with Trevor Daley. His size and skating ability are valuable on this defensive unit, but on most teams he isn’t a first-pairing defenseman. GRADE: C-plusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsJoe Hicketts: 5 games, 0 goals, 3 assists. In a brief late-season audition Hicketts showed a confidence that could serve him well in the NHL. He compensates for lack of size with an impressive swagger. Can run a power play, but has to be a bit more cautious. GRADE: IncompleteDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsTrevor Daley: 77 games, 9 goals, 7 assists. The Wings’ key free agent acquisition pretty much had the type of season the team expected. Daley provided a stabilizing presence on a blue line that desperately needed it. GRADE: B-minusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsNiklas Kronwall: 79 games, 4 goals, 23 assists. The old warhorse keeps going, and will for one more season. Kronwall overcame the knee pain to play some tough minutes but age is rapidly catching up. His leadership can’t be overlooked. GRADE: CDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsXavier Ouellet: 45 games, 0 goals, 7 assists. At this point it’s probably best for Ouellet to get a fresh start in another organization. Couldn’t gain a regular spot in the lineup and was hesitant when he did play. GRADE: D-plusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsGOALIESIllustration By Larry O'Connor/Photo By David GuralnickJared Coreau: 0-5-1, .867 SVS 4.26 GAA. Was recalled from Grand Rapids after Petr Mrazek was traded and had a dismal, brief showing. Didn’t look comfortable as a back-up. His future in the organization looks hazy, at best. GRADE: Incomplete.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsJimmy Howard: 22-27-9, .910 SVS. 2.85 GAA. Arguably the first-half MVP of this team, and Howard’s play didn’t slip much after that. Has had an admirable resurgence the last two seasons after appearing to be expansion or trade fodder. Could end up finishing his career here. GRADE: B-plusDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsMANAGEMENTIllustration By Larry O'Connor/Photo By David GuralnickGeneral manager Ken Holland took another step toward rebuilding this organization by trading goalie Petr Mrazek (to Philadelphia) and forward Tomas Tatar (to Las Vegas) and acquiring draft picks. The Wings have 11 this June, in what could be an important turning point. The roster continued to get younger, with an eye toward the future, during an overall drab season. GRADE: CDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsCoach Jeff Blashill and his assistants arguably got as much as they could out of this roster. A year ago there were concerns about the lack of progress of some younger players. That wasn’t an issue this season, with Larkin, Mantha and Bertuzzi all enjoying fine seasons. This team also played hard in March with nothing much to play for. The special teams, though, continue to be ranked near the bottom of the league. GRADE: B-minus.David Guralnick, Detroit News