DETROIT (AP) - When sticks weren't clanging and Brett Hull wasn't whistling, awkward silence filled the Detroit Red Wings' dressing room.
The weight room, where at least a few players usually can be seen, was empty.
Four days after the Red Wings suffered their second straight early playoff exit, they went to Joe Louis Arena to collect their belongings and gather for a team picture.
And to say goodbye.
"It's going to be the end of what you see," Kris Draper said. "You look around this dressing room and you can almost bet on it that there's going be some pretty big changes with the team."
The first move might involve head coach Dave Lewis, whose contract expired after the season.
Lewis, a former Red Wings assistant and player, became head coach after the legendary Scotty Bowman retired when Detroit won its 10th Stanley Cup two years ago.
Lewis led Detroit to a 96-41-21-6 record in two regular seasons, but he won only one playoff series with a post-season mark of 6-10.
General manager Ken Holland said he will meet with owner Mike Ilitch next week, and hopes to have a decision made on Lewis's future within a couple weeks.
Holland said the Lewis-led coaching staff did a good job of leading Detroit to an NHL-best 109 points during the regular season, despite numerous injuries.
"But at the same time, this organization is judged on what we do in the playoffs and we've had two disappointing playoffs," Holland said. "Three of the last four years we've had very disappointing early exits.
"Obviously, one of them was under Scotty Bowman and the last two have been under Dave. If (the coaches) are back, I think there are some things they need to do better. But certainly, there's a chance they won't be back."
Lewis, surrounded by a sea of reporters, said it doesn't bother him to have his future discussed in a public.
"That's the nature of the beast," he said. "You know that going in."
Lewis's first season as coach ended with a first-round loss to Anaheim, and his second ended earlier this week against Calgary in the second round.
"My job was to win the Stanley Cup, with the players and the coaching staff," Lewis said. "We didn't accomplish that.
"It's a results-oriented business."
Some players that accomplished a lot over their careers - and are headed for Hockey's Hall of Fame - may have played their last game with the Red Wings. Besides the usual changes that come after disappointing seasons, the NHL's looming labour problems might lead to some retiring.
Hull, who will be 40 this summer, and 42-year-old Chris Chelios will be unrestricted free agents - and may choose to retire.
Detroit is not expected to exercise the $6.5-million US option on Brendan Shanahan's contract, but the 35-year-old forward could be back if he agrees to play for less money.
Hull didn't talk to reporters. Chelios said he wants to play if there's not a long work stoppage. Shanahan wouldn't speculate on what he'll do if the Red Wings decline their option on his deal, but said he wants to continue to play.
Captain Steve Yzerman said the same, despite recent surgery for a scratched cornea and multiple fractures below his left eye.
Holland would like to re-sign unrestricted free agents Draper and Mathieu Schneider.
"This is where I want to be," Draper said.
If the loss to the Flames ended an era in Detroit, as many expect it did, it was quite a run for the Red Wings.
They have won an NHL-high 464 games since the start of the 1994-95 season and are tied with Colorado for an NHL-best 89 playoff victories. Detroit and New Jersey each have won three Stanley Cups over the past decade, and the Avalanche have won two.
"It was unbelievable to be a part of the three Stanley Cups and to play with as many Hall of Famers as we did," Draper said. "But you know there's going to be changes, and that's the tough thing."
The Wings will be a much different team without players like: Hull, Shanahan & Chelios. But they do have great prospects that will have to fill in or they could just sign a lot of FA's this offseason to reload opposed to rebuilding.
the only player that i can see leaving is hull. it will be a pretty big loss though he doenst play like he used to he is a mentor to guys like zetterberg and datysuk and hes still got an intense shot. the wings will lose cheli and yzerman only if there is a long work stopage.
I agree with Chet. I think we will lose Hull, Thomas, Devereaux, Williams, Hasek, and maybe Dave Lewis. Shanahan will likely accept less money to stay in Detroit, especially after the sub-par playoff he had. Yzerman and Chelios have said they want to play next year....of course the work stoppage has a lot to say about that.
So, I don't think the shake-up will be as drastic as some think. I do think that Holland will look to add some toughness, some net-crasher types, through free-agency or trades.
i think when holland says that the coaches may not be back i think he is mainly refering to assistant coach joey kocur.
..And I have no problem with this. Joey Kocur barely serves as a coach, but more as a buddy to his former teammates. I feel Kocur should be fired, Lewis should go back to assistant, and the Wings hire a new coach. Perhaps the former Senators coach.. Just a thought :roll:
Red Wings Brace for Off-season Overhaul
Red Wings Brace for Off-season Overhaul
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