Red Wings GM Ken Holland could be targeting another elite scorer in Columbus Blue Jackets' Rick Nash or New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise, who is expected to be the top free agent this summer if he can't come to an agreement with his original team.
Meanwhile, since the Wings have the cap space, they could also try to acquire Preds' defenseman Ryan Suter, as a Cup-contending roster could convince the 27-year-old to replace the likely-departing Brad Stuart in Detroit.
As for now, the Red Wings are focusing on generating more offense to stay alive in the post-season, though the players are convinced it's not for a lack of trying, especially after posting 84 shots on net the last two games.
"We've just got to bear down a little more on those chances and we definitely need to start scoring more if we want to still be playing," Valtteri Filppula told the News.
Meanwhile, if the Wings can't manage to come out victorious of Friday night's must-win in Nashville, questions will arise on the future of captain Nicklas Lidstrom.
Lidstrom has agreed to one-year deals each of the past two seasons, a situation he prefers at this stage of his career. He'll turn 42 a week from Saturday and has played 20 seasons in the NHL, all for the Wings.
The captain has reportedly mentioned that he and his wife will make a decision on the matter in the summer.
