Changes coming

After falling short of the Western Conference Finals each of the past three years, this offseason will definitely produce changes in the Red Wings dressing room. Here’s my list of the five players may not be suiting up in the winged wheel next season.

1. Brad Stuart – It’s been fairly well-documented that Stuart is leaving for a west coast team. His family still lives in California, and I don’t think anyone would blame him, or be too upset when he leaves. Odds of returning: 5% 
2. Tomas Holmstrom – Holmstrom has been with the Wings since 1996. If he were to return, he would turn 40 next January. Considering the beating that he takes on a usual basis in front of the net, he’s had a surprisingly long career. All of the attention has been on the possibility of a Lidstrom retirement, but I think it’s more likely we won’t be seeing Homer next year. Odds of returning: 15%
3. Kyle Quincey – Quincey was traded for a first round pick earlier this season. He scored a goal in his first game as a Wing, and didn’t play terribly. He’s a restricted free agent this summer, but I don’t see how they can realistically bring him back. He didn’t perform up to expectations in his short time here, and had a boneheaded play yesterday that ended up leading to the first goal. With Brendan Smith having spent what seems like a decade in Grand Rapids, and the hopes of adding Suter, Quincey is expendable. Odds of returning: 25%
4. Jiri Hudler – After a regular season that was surprisingly productive (25 Goals, 50 Points) in the eyes of most Red Wings fans, Hudler followed it up with two goals vs. Nashville in the postseason. Hudler is a free agent this offseason, and could try to cash in somewhere else. He was paired with Zetterberg and Filppula for the majority of the season and may have been the most consistent line throughout the regular season. However, Hudler is far from irreplaceable and the Wings would probably rather have his cap space to sign someone like Suter or Parise. Odds of returning: 40%
5. Nick Lidstrom – In the postgame show last night, Nick said he’s going to take his usual 3-4 weeks when deciding on next season. Don’t be shocked if he returns, or if he retires. Lidstrom has accomplished just about everything a defenseman can in the NHL outside of the Hart Trophy. Regardless of his decision, it won’t be long before he’s enshrined into the HHOF in Toronto and his jersey is hanging in the rafters of the Joe. Odds of returning: 60%

Regardless of who returns, who leaves for greener ($$) pastures, or who retires, the Red Wings will have a different look next season. This current core of players has been together for the past three early playoff exits. The players mentioned are the players most likely to be somewhere else next season, but there are very few untouchable players on the roster (Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Howard) as it stands now.