The team is being propelled by the depth and all-around scoring. 98 goals for is the third-highest amount in the league. The second line of the roster is really leading the pro roster. Vincent Trocheck leads the team with 18 goals, 15 assists for 33 points in 29 games while centering the second line. Linemates Matthew Barzal and Nicolas Petan each sit at third and fourth on the team in scoring.

After reading that you might think the team's top line has been a disappointment. But that isn't true at all. Gilbert Brule (31in29) Fiala (25in29) and Dubois (19in23) have been playing good hockey as well while playing against the opponent's top defensive pairings. Not being a one-line team was one of the key plans coming into this season from the top of the franchise. At this point in the season, it looks to be working.

One of the biggest surprises of the season so far is the play of two newcomers via trade this past offseason. Vincent Trocheck and Henri Jokiharju are two players acquired in the same deal for James Sheppard, Seth Jones and two first-round picks. At the time many thought it was a big price to pay. But the 23-year-old, signed for three seasons at $3,750,000 Trocheck is leading the team in scoring and points. Also, the 21-year-old, signed for five years at $3,000,000 Jokiharju is leading the defensive unit in scoring and second in plus-minus as well. He's even started to creep into Norris Trophy contention.

"Absolutely, no question" stated GM Hetherington after asked if he would do that trade again today. The Islanders still did well in that trade though, they flipped Jones for more futures and James Sheppard currently sits at 32 points in 29 games. So win/win type of deal potentially.

Another bump in the road of the season so far came in the form of a lengthy suspension. In a game against the rival Montreal Canadiens Pierre-Luc Dubois was ejected from the game due to a rough charging penalty that resulted in an injury to Anton Zlobin of the Montreal Canadiens. Dubois received a suspension but the Red Wings depth held up as the team went 3-1-2 without him in the lineup and with shuffled lines.

But no question, the Red Wings franchise is a better franchise when Dubois is in the lineup. As we approach the halfway point it will be interesting to see if Detroit can stay in the top echelon of the league and the strategy the team uses to approach the trade deadline. They are close to the cap but if the team is near the top, should they go all-in on players that become available? We'll see!