2003 Detroit Red Wings

After being trounced by Anaheim last year on the road to the Stanley Cup, the Red Wings are making some changes -- Sergei Fedorov left for Anaheim and defenseman Derian Hatcher was signed away from the Dallas Stars. In addition, they exercised their option on the contract of the now un-retired goaltender Dominik Hasek, meaning that Curtis Joseph days are surely numbered -- no doubt in response to how many Mighty Ducks pucks were allowed to goal.

One of the looming questions on Detroit fans' minds is a matter of age -- "Dominator" Hasek will be 38; Steve Yzerman is 38; Chris Chelios is 41; in comparison, Nick Lidstrom seems like a suckling babe at 33.

To the Red Wings credit, the 2003-04 lineup features the best defense Hasek has ever played behind, likely the best in the NHL. Attackers will have to get 'round Lidstrom or Hatcher (6'5", 235 lbs., and a Norris Trophy finalist), only to find Chelios or Mat Schneider waiting. Age may be a factor, but Chelios and Schneider should excel in secondary roles. A host of others, varying in age and experience, rounds out the blue line.

Not to say that the entire Detroit line-up has one foot in the grave. The core forwards -- Shanahan, Maltby, Draper, McCarty, Holmstrom, Whitney -- are between 30 and 35, the prime of hockey playing life. One benefit is the experience older players bring to the mix -- for young lads like Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, who are coming along nicely.

Some things may be different and there are a few new names wearing the winged wheel, but one thing hasn't changed. The Detroit Red Wings are again one of those handful of clubs that are legitimate favorites to win the Cup. Note: The Red Wings are commonly mis-spelled as one word, Redwings.