Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press answered a few questions today, this one on Henrik Zetterberg.

HSJ: If Henrik Zetterberg is able to play next season (there is concern because of his back) I doubt he falls out of the top six. He’s still one of the smartest players on the team. He’s wily. He’s patient. He was second on the team with 56 points, and first with 18 power play points.

If Filip Zadina is on the team, that’s who I’d want Zetterberg to play on a line with — someone who can be a calming presence for a rookie.

I don’t see Zetterberg bumped from center to wing — he, Dylan Larkin and Frans Nielsen head up the depth chart down the middle. If 2017 first-round pick Michael Rasmussen makes the team, it’s more likely he’ll start out on the wing because it’s less responsibility.

As I’ve written before, I expect the Wings to struggle again in 2018-19 — and the upside to that will be another shot at the draft lottery (and in 2019, that means a shot at Jack Hughes) or at least a high-end pick. The Wings should be better in net with Bernier’s addition, but they lack an elite defenseman, lack superstar scorers. Zetterberg’s value at this point, beyond his production, is the day-to-day example he sets for the younger players. Larkin has spoken at length about how much it has benefited his growth as a player to see how Zetterberg carries himself.

more Q & A, mostly regarding Jimmy Howard...