head coach: Scotty Bowman

roster: C - Sergei Fedorov*, Steve Yzerman, Igor Larionov, Kris Draper. LW - Brendan Shanahan, Vyacheslav Kozlov*, Martin Lapointe, Tim Taylor, Tomas Holmstrom, Mike Knuble. RW - Doug Brown, Mathieu Dandenault, Darren McCarty, Kirk Maltby, Joey Kocur, Brent Gilchrist. D - Nicklas Lidstrom, Bob Rouse, Slava Fetisov, Larry Murphy, Jamie Pushor, Brian Glynn, Aaron Ward, Anders Eriksson. G - Chris Osgood, Kevin Hodson.
*-Unsigned free agent.

injuries: None.

transactions: XX/XX - Re-signed free-agent defenseman Bob Rouse. 07/02 - Signed free agent right wing Martin Lapointe to a four-year contract. 07/08 - Signed free agent wing Brent Gilchrist (Dallas) to a three-year contract. 07/18 - Agreed with head coach Scotty Bowman on a two-year contract extension; promoted Ken Holland to general manager; announced assistant coaches Dave Lewis and Barry Smith will return for two more years. 08/01 - Re-signed free-agent center Igor Larionov to a three-year contract. 08/15 - Re-signed free-agent forward Joe Kocur to a one-year contract. 08/18 - Traded goaltender Mike Vernon to the San Jose Sharks for a 1998 third-round and 1999 second-round draft pick. 09/03 - Signed defenseman Jon Coleman to a two-year contract. 09/08 - Re-signed defenseman Slava Fetisov to a one-year deal.

standings:

1996-97 FINAL RESULTS
RECORD:
 OVERALL      38-26-18
 HOME         20-12-9
 ROAD         18-14-9
POINTS:             94 (5th)
GOALS SCORED:      253 (6th)
GOALS AGAINST:     197 (2nd)
POWER PLAY:      17.9% (7th)
PENALTY KILLING: 86.7% (4th) 

game results:

PRE-SEASON RESULTS

None.

team news:

by Michael Dell, editor-in-chief

NO CHANCE OF A REPEAT

The Detroit Red Wings probably had the worst off-season of any Stanley Cup champion in history. The limousine crash that severely injured Vladimir Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov drained all the emotion from the team's triumph. Then playoff MVP Mike Vernon was sent packing to San Jose. To top it all off, Sergei Fedorov remains an unsigned restricted free agent and is requesting a trade. This isn't how things were supposed to go.

OFFENSE: Fedorov Creates Doubt

With Fedorov's status being uncertain, it's kind of hard to say what the offense will be like this season. But he's not the only member of the Russian Five holding out. Winger Slava Kozlov is also still waiting on a new deal. That leaves Igor Larionov as the lone Russian up front. Larionov is a tremendous playmaker and a true legend in Russian hockey, but how much longer can he be productive? He'll turn 37 years old this season and his numbers appear to be on the decline. It's hard to imagine Larionov being a major source of offense.

Steve Yzerman is still the club's heart and soul. Detroit is going to be in a tough situation this season, but if anyone is capable of steering the ship through troubled waters its Yzerman. Now that Messier bailed on the Rangers, Stevie Y is the best captain in hockey.

With Fedorov out, Yzerman and Larionov are the only guys capable of creating chances by themselves. The rest of the offense is made up of physical wingers and checkers. Brendan "I harpooned the Whale in the back" Shanahan tops the list. Shanny led the Wings in scoring last season with 47 goals and 88 points. He played with either Larionov or Yzerman last season, so at least his game shouldn't be disrupted too much by Fedorov's disappearance. Darren McCarty and Martin Lapointe give the club two more power forwards. People are going to be expecting big things from McCarty after he broke out the funk for that unbelievable goal in Game Four of the Finals. But if you're waiting for a similar display this season you better pack a lunch. Lapointe really blossomed into a wonderful role player last season. Pound-for-pound, he could be the strongest guy in the NHL. Joey Kocur will also be back for another season of beating up people.

The club has four quality defensive checkers in Kris Draper, Doug Brown, Kirk Maltby, and Brent Gilchrist. Signed from Dallas over the off-season, Gilchrist is an excellent defensive forward that works hard every shift and can also take on some leadership responsibilities. Not only will he make the Wings a better team, his departure weakens the rival Stars. That's a nice combination.

DEFENSE: Doesn't Look Good

Even when Konstantinov was in there, the Detroit blue line was a weak area. Now that he's unable to play, the team is in some serious trouble.

Nicklas Lidstrom is the number one guy and can carry a hefty workload, but he's the only premier blueliner among the lot. Larry Murphy is 36, Slava Fetisov is 39, and Bob Rouse is 33. They all return from the summer a year older and probably another step slower. Aaron Ward and Jamie Pushor are good young guys, but neither one is a front line defender. At least not yet, anyway. The club reportedly isn't looking to make a deal for a defenseman, which means they'll have to promote from within. The best prospect they have is Anders Eriksson. The 22-year-old Swede has great size (6'3", 220), is a decent skater, and can move the puck. He should be a regular this season.

GOALTENDING: Osgood's Show

Now that Vernon is gone, the number one job belongs to Chris Osgood. There's no doubt he can handle the gig during the regular season. After all, he's pretty much been the starter the past two seasons. The question will be if he can lead this team deep into the playoffs. Kevin Hodson will be the backup. The duo is serviceable, but hardly spectacular.

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* Yzerman is the best captain in hockey.

* Shanahan is still a main attraction on left wing.

* Nicklas Lidstrom is a quality guy.

TROUBLE

* Fedorov situation is a mess.

* The defense is old and shallow.

* Konstantinov will be impossible to replace.

1997-98 OUTLOOK: Scotty Bowman made a big mistake when he decided to come back and coach one more season. He should have went out on top. This team will still be a good veteran squad, but there's not much hope for a repeat of postseason glory. Just securing a spot in the playoffs is going to be hard enough.

PREDICTION: Third in the Central and a playoff spot.

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