DETROIT (AP) --
DETROIT (AP) - Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says he
knew his team was one of the NHL's best a year ago.
Now, Holland hopes that's still the case.
Detroit fell one victory short of repeating as NHL champions in
June, losing to Pittsburgh in a Stanley Cup finals rematch. Since
then, the salary cap prevented the Red Wings from keeping star
Marian Hossa, other key players and their backup goaltender.
The storied franchise still has some of the best players in
hockey, including forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk
along with defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. It is relying on more young
players this season than it has during a two-decade stretch of
excellence.
The Red Wings open the season Friday in Sweden against the St.
Louis Blues.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
