The Detroit Red Wings Can Improve Without A Trade

Detroit Red Wings center Stephen Weiss (90) could help the Red wings imporve just by staying healthy. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After a dismal showing on the opening day of free agency, Detroit Red Wings fans have been pessimistic about their team.

But maybe the Detroit Red Wings inability to land high profile defensemen druing free agency is a blessing in disguise.

The Detroit Red Wings could improve without sending one of thier top young forwards out-of-town as trade bait. The holes that existed on last year’s team could be filled internally. For that to happen it will require some players to get healthy and others to return to form.

Here are some of the players that if healthy can improve the Red Wings roster this season.

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Stephen Weiss

Weiss was a coveted free agent last off-season and a complete bust for Ken Holland during the regular season.  He was never able to get healthy and when he was in the Red Wings line-up was not 100%.  If the Red wings forward can return 100% healthy he will definitely help the Red Wings offense.

Henrik Zetterberg

Hank missed most of the second half of the season following back surgery to correct an injury he had been struggling with for years. Early indications are that he will return to the Red Wings new and improved this season and could have a breakout season.

Pavel Datsyuk

Datsyuk also struggled with injury missing nearly two months of the season.  It goes without saying what a healthy Pavel Datsyuk can with the puck in front of the net.

Jimmy Howard

After signing a huge contract extension, Jimmy Howard laid a brontosaurus sized egg last season. Some of the reason Howard struggled was injury.  That combined with the distraction of trying to make the US Olympic team ended up sinking Howard’s season.  If Howard returns to form he will make the Red Wings defense exponentially better.