Lol Nobody's going to want to play for a team that's about to fall off the proveribial cliff in 17-18, D,Z and Kronwall are all done being effective then. First off Datsyuk will have reired by then replace by Larkin and yeah Larkin will be a solid top line centerman and as far as Zetterberg and Kronwall Zetterberg will still have 4 years left and 2 for Kronwall and neither one has showed that their done yet. Zetterberg in 77 games last year put up 66 points that's still a solid showing and Kronwall had 44 points I would hardly say that's not being effective. It's not like Tatar, Nyquist, Sheahan aren't solid core players and with Larkin, Mantha and other pieces coming in this team is going to be very solid. And to think that the Wings are going to be basement dwellers period isn't using common sense.
In 17-18 Datsyuk is done. Zetterberg will be 37 and Kronwall be 36. At that point in time Zetterberg will most likely not be a Top 6 player and will be better suited for a bottom 6 role. Kronwall will probably not be a top pairing D either, and may need to get bumped down a pair or two.
Larkin is a very good prospect who has high expectations, but let's have him play a season or two before we declare him a solid top line center who will replace Datsyuk (who can't be replaced btw).
Detroit's in trouble if Sheahan is a part of your core players going forward. He's currently a 3C who maybe tops out as a 2C. Either way I wouldn't want a 2-3C as part of my team's core going forward.
Nyquist and Tatar are good pieces to have. They can't do it alone though. First line wingers can only take you so far especially if you are lacking on D and down the middle. They've both struggled in the playoffs too, which they desperately need to improve on.
Let's wait for Mantha to do well in the AHL before we call him a player who can make an impact with the big club. (And yes, I know that he was injured to start the year)
Detroit's defensive prospect pool is lacking big time. No one is looking like they have top pairing potential. That needs to change if Detroit wants to continue to be a solid team.
Detroit's made it to the playoffs 24 years in a row. Which is a remarkable feat. The pendulum always swings back in the other direction eventually. Detroit isn't going to be a good/playoff team forever. Their gonna have to spend their time in the draft lottery just like every other team does, and just like they did 25+ years ago.