Traverse City — Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg have carried the Red Wings through several situations.
But they’re not getting any younger.
Datysuk is 37 and will miss the opener recovering from ankle surgery.
Zetterberg will be 35 on Opening Night, Oct. 9, and is coming off a slump-ridden second half.
Which forces the need for young players such as Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar to progress and take steps forward — beginning now.
“It’s a challenge, but it’s something me and Tats want to do eventually,” said Nyquist, 26, who has shown to be a solid goal-scorer.