1) Rasmussen will be in the AHL. The reason he was not last year was because of transfer rights of his Jr team (he would go there if he wasn't on the Wings and there was no point for him to play on that level--but his time in Detroit showed he wasn't ready for a top 9 role in the NHL either). Now he can go to the AHL and play there meaningful minutes. So I see that not happening.

2) Datsyuk's agent put out the story about him coming to Detroit (on vacation---to show his children where he used to live and work and probably to visit colleges in the USA for his 16 year old daughter) and how he could return to the NHL because he was leaving St. Petersburg SKA. This is to maximize leverage when negotiating a contract with his hometown KHL team-- Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. He didn't say he was leaving the KHL, just that he was leaving St Pete's team. He then said IF he were to return to the NHL it would only be for Detroit. And the story took off. If he gets a great offer from Detroit after free agency starts then he would have even more leverage with the KHL team.

And Datysuk is not a top line center in his 40's. He isn't going to replace Larkin. I see the BLM (lil Bert, Larkin, and Mantha) as being a solid line combo the Wings will use all next season.

3) Zadina is not ready for a top line pairing. But should make the team out of camp.

4) I think Kronwall wants to play another season. Whether or not Stevie signs him is a good question but I can see him coming back another year and the Wings moving a d-man like Daley and retaining salary. I think Tampa who has several UFA d-men would be a natural fit for Daley at a reduced salary, which could even be part of a Callahan salary dump (Callahan has a MNTC not a full one this year and Yzerman would be in the know of who is on that 10 team no trade list).

5) Don't be shocked if the Wings bring back Witkowski on a 1 year deal. He can play either forward or d-man. Doesn't make a lot of noise when scratched and doesn't take many stupid penalties while he fulfills the role of keeping the fleas off Larkin and other players.

Just to let you know, it's just for fun and all of the prediction team that we all do on this page, will never happen. So, what is your red wings team?