theScore is previewing each team leading up to the 2016-17 season.
The post-Pavel Datsyuk era is set to begin in earnest.
The Detroit Red Wings will be decidedly less magical in 2016-17 without the presence of the dynamic Russian center, but life goes on in Hockeytown. Those still on the roster will do their best to make sure Joe Louis Arena sees playoff hockey for the 26th straight year, in its final season hosting the club.
Here are three players to watch in Detroit this season.
Dylan Larkin
Notorious for bringing young, developing players along slowly, the Red Wings appear set to hand 20-year-old Dylan Larkin the first-line center role.
Larkin's ascendance has been necessitated by Datsyuk's move to the KHL, but is also well-earned following a 23-goal, 45-point performance in 80 games as a rookie last season.
Selected 15th overall by Detroit in 2014, Larkin appears to possess the tools needed to succeed at a high level in today's NHL, and he should produce playing alongside Henrik Zetterberg.
Whether the role's responsibilities prove to be "too much, too soon" for Larkin, and whether he can stave off the dreaded sophomore slump, remains to be seen.
Danny Dekeyser
General manager Ken Holland signed 26-year-old defenseman Danny Dekeyser to a six-year, $30-million contract extension this offseason, signalling a serious commitment toward building around the Michigan native.
The extension came after Dekeyser recorded a career-high eight goals, but only 12 assists in 2015-16, a full 11-point drop from his previous campaign.
As a defenseman capable of munching minutes in all situations, Dekesyer is entering his prime, and is now being paid as someone expected to carry a heavy workload while contributing offensively.
With Niklas Kronwall entering the season a little banged up and with Mike Green no longer the offensive machine he once was, Dekeyser will need to start earning that new deal immediately.
Thomas Vanek
The Red Wings are banking on a bounce-back season for Thomas Vanek, after the veteran was bought out by the Minnesota Wild. Detroit then pounced, signing him to a relatively low-risk, high-reward one-year contract worth $2.6 million.
The 32-year-old has traditionally been a consistent scorer, but his 18 goals in 2015-16 marked the lowest output of his career, forcing the Wild to cut bait on a big-ticket deal that wasn't providing expected value.
Still, Vanek has averaged 31.7 goals per 82 games since entering the league over a decade ago, and should be motivated to score with increased regularity if he wants stability in his next contract.
If the Red Wings are getting back to the playoffs this season, they'll need significant contributions from Vanek.
