"The Red Wings left for training camp Thursday, opting to fly to Traverse City rather than bus as has been their routine.

That's one thing that's different this season. The other change is just how many new faces are on board, and how much competition there is both on defense and among the forwards. For a team that has been bounced two years running in the second round of the playoffs, an infusion of fresh blood -- and young blood -- is a welcome change.

"We've had basically the same team for a lot of years now," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said, "and I definitely don't think it's bad that we get a little bit of change. We're really deep this year, deeper than we have been, and that feels great. Guys are competing for spots."

The turnover on defense began in May, when Brian Rafalski heeded his ailing body and retired a year before his contract expired. Rafalski was a fantastic passer who had a big hand in the offense, but his effectiveness was reduced greatly last season. His departure prompted the Wings to add Ian White, 11 years younger and bigger and stronger than Rafalski.

White -- one of the few right-handed shots on the team -- could be a nice fit in the top four next to Kronwall, Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart, but what's really good for the Wings is that White will be -- or should be, anyway -- pushed by Jonathan Ericsson, whose new contract pays him top-four defenseman money at $3.25 million a year.

"I think White's going to be a good addition for us," forward Danny Cleary said. "Obviously Rafi will be missed, he was a huge part of us winning and being good in the playoffs, but he was getting a little bit older and I think his body was telling him it was time. Whitey being younger will help a lot. Ericsson, I think he's going to take a big step, too."

White and Ericsson are both guys who can join the power play, which is also in need of renovation. The Wings went 4-for-28 with the man advantage during the second round against the Sharks, a huge factor in losing the series."