Looking ahead for the Detroit Red Wings: The return of Steve Yzerman?

As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, along with three keys to its offseason, impact prospects for 2019-20 and a way-too-early prediction on what 2019-20 will hold.

What went wrong

While there were some bright spots this season for the Detroit Red Wings, so much else went very, very wrong for them.

They were 25th in team save percentage (.898) and 21st in shooting percentage (9.0). They were 25th in shot attempt differential (47.86 percent), 26th in scoring chance differential (47.23 percent) and 30th in goals-for percentage (44.80) at 5-on-5. They started the season with a seven-game winless streak, and then uncorked an eight-game one in February into March, part of an overall 3-12-3 streak that officially sank their season, if injuries hadn't done so already. To wit, only two Red Wings players saw action in every game of the 2019-20 season.

But it wasn't all bad! Forward Andreas Athanasiou had a breakout season, with 24 goals. Dylan Larkin continued his maturation with a team-leading 27 goals and 35 assists. Tyler Bertuzzi took an expanded role and ran with it, having his best season in the NHL. Even 34-year-old goalie Jimmy Howard put together an All-Star season until, like nearly everything else with this team, it all just fell apart.

Keys to the offseason

Jeff Blashill is ... safe? The Red Wings' coach is in the fourth and final year of his contract. His tenure so far: a record of 128-141-47 in the regular season (.479 winning percentage), and one playoff appearance (in his first year). Yet GM Ken Holland recently indicated that Blashill is in line for a contract extension, citing the Red Wings' compete level in a lost season, and the growth shown by young standouts like Athanasiou, Bertuzzi and Larkin. Of course, it might not be Holland's call to make this offseason.

The Yzerman Mystery. In April 2018, the Red Wings inked GM Ken Holland to a contract extension through 2020. In Sept. 2018, Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman, who served under Holland as an assistant GM, shocked the hockey world by stepping down as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Speculation started immediately: Could Yzerman return to Detroit and replace his mentor? Chris Illitch, the team's president and CEO, poured some gasoline on that fire at Detroit Tigers spring training recently, when asked about Yzerman by the Detroit Free Press: "There's not a lot I can say about that, other than I know his contract is expiring this summer. We'll leave it at that."

Combine this with further speculation that Holland might join his Hockey Canada colleague Bob Nicholson in Edmonton as their new general manager, and it adds up to front office intrigue in Detroit.

Re-sign Jimmy Howard. This seems like an inevitability after Howard wasn't moved at the trade deadline, but the Wings would be wise to hang on to their veteran netminder, for some modicum of stability there. And also because Jonathan Bernier, signed last summer, was a bust in 31 appearances, with an .899 save percentage and a minus-.9.37 goals saved above average.

Rebuild or spend? Obviously, the Red Wings are likely to hang on to their first-round pick, especially given how strong the top five picks are this June. But they have three second-rounders, as well as around $11 million in cap space.

Do the Wings keep it slow and steady, allowing players like Filip Zadina and Michael Rasmussen to mature into the NHL stars they believe they can be? Or do the Red Wings get a little more aggressive in improving this team for next season? Pity they have those seven contracts with trade protection on the books to hamstring a more dramatic retooling.

Impact prospects for 2019-20

Filip Zadina, RW, age 19: Having only really just started finding his pro legs over the past few months, some extra development time at the end of this season and a summer of off-ice strength training should go a long way for Zadina to make a substantial impact for next year's team. He has good size and strength right now, and seemed to be getting his timing down as the season progressed. The one thing Zadina still lacks is quickness. He's not slow by any means, but just making plays at a faster pace and making better decisions at speed will help him quite a bit. That the Red Wings were able to give him a taste of the NHL this season should do wonders for him heading into 2019-20.

Libor Sulak, D, age 25: Sulak could be a cheap depth option for next season on the blue line. This was his first full professional season in North America, with 51 games in the AHL under his belt this season, and an additional six with the Red Wings. The 6-foot-2 blueliner has tremendous mobility and footwork, which helps him at both ends of the ice. The skill set is probably closer to average, but he defends well and I think he could find himself as an everyday bottom-pairing guy as early as next season.

Ryan Kuffner, RW, age 22: Just signed as a college free agent after his career at Princeton ended, Kuffner could play his way into being a call-up next season. He's been one of the best goal scorers in college hockey over the past two years and has a great shot. The issue right now is playing with enough pace to beat NHL defensemen and get to the good scoring areas quickly. The hockey sense and physical frame are there for him to potentially work his way into a depth role next season.

Realistic expectation for 2019-20

A push to the playoff bubble. The Atlantic Division's top three looks impossible to crack for the foreseeable future. The Montreal Canadiens are contenders this season. The Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers are going to get their respective acts together at some point. The Red Wings don't have the horses yet to mount a serious playoff challenge, but they're getting there.

Realistically, you just want to continue to see improvement and effort from this burgeoning young core. Oh, and since they're stuck with him until 2023, maybe a season in which Justin Abdelkader doesn't go three months without a goal.