DETROIT -- So, you think hockey's over-the-hill gang (a.k.a., the Detroit Red Wings) will be done after they corral their third Cup in six years?

Well, think again.

The Red Wings, with a few new wrinkles, will be primed to defend the crown next season.

The biggest new wrinkle likely will be in goal. Dominik Hasek, who came to Detroit last summer with the idea of capping his brilliant career with a Stanley Cup, seems set to retire after capturing the Cup.

While Hasek has yet to officially announce his plans, those close to the super stopper are convinced he's ready to return to the Czech Republic once he's secured the missing piece to his Hall of Fame resume. Don't forget, Hasek previously announced his retirement in the summer of 1999, only to change his mind after suffering through an injury-plagued '99-00 season. Now, three years later, there's no reason -- other than a ton of money -- for him to stay.

Assuming Hasek does leave, GM Ken Holland will need to find a suitable replacement. Luckily, Curtis Joseph and Mike Richter should be on the open market come July 1. Holland will have the $9 million or so (per season) he was scheduled to pay Hasek to entice either Joseph (who turned 35 in April) or Richter (who'll turn 36 in September) to come to Hockeytown.

Joseph, who led the injury-riddled Leafs to the Eastern Conference finals despite suffering the effects of a broken glove hand, could be a perfect fit for the Wings. Like Hasek, a highly motivated Cujo would come to Detroit seeking his first Cup. And, he wouldn't be too far removed from his current home in the Toronto suburb of King City, Ontario.

Joseph and his agent, Don Meehan, haven't been thrilled by the way the Leafs handled the contract negotiations. Last summer, Joseph wanted a contract extension that would pay him approximately $9 million per season -- the same as Toronto captain Mats Sundin. The club offered a reasonable deal in the neighborhood of $6-7 million per season, which was rejected by Meehan.

Also, Joseph had a falling out with Toronto GM/coach Pat Quinn after the Olympics. Quinn, who coached Team Canada, benched Joseph after the first game of the Olympic tournament and turned to New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur. According to sources close to the situation, Joseph wasn't as upset by the benching as he was unhappy that Quinn never spoke to him about the decision during or after the Winter Games.

So, because of these issues, Joseph should be available as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. If he is -- and if he's willing to leave Toronto -- the Wings will have him signed by Independence Day, maybe sooner.

If Joseph isn't available, Holland could turn to Richter. The long-time Rangers goalie has suffered season-ending injuries in each of the past three years. So, he's a little more of a risky proposition.

But, playing behind a strong defensive team in Detroit, Richter will face much less pressure. In New York, where no one understands the concept of team defense, Richter has been like a sitting duck in a shooting arcade. Playing behind a strong Team USA squad at the Olympics, Richter was brilliant en route to a silver medal. He already has a Stanley Cup and a World Cup to his credit.

Outside of the crease, Holland will make some subtle chances. On defense, Nicklas Lidstrom, who seems in the prime of his career at age 32, will again lead the club. He could win his second straight Norris Trophy next week.

If Lidstrom doesn't win it, then 40-year-old teammate Chris Chelios probably will. Holland likely will want to re-sign Chelios, who plays much younger than the number on his birth certificate. Chelios, a nasty competitor who stays in great shape, could probably play another two or three years in the proper role.

Jiri Fischer, a first round pick in 1998, turns just 22 in July. Fischer enjoyed a strong season playing alongside the experienced Chelios. With the exception of the first two games against Vancouver and some spotty moments against Colorado, Fischer did a nice job in his first real playoff appearance. He's only going to get better.

The same can be said for oversized (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov, who turned 25 in March. A first round pick in '95, Kuznetsov has been slow learner. He played quite a bit during the season, but has been a healthy scratch for the postseason. Still, the Wings have been patient with him and they're happy with his steady development. He should be more of a prime time player in the coming years.

During this run, veteran Steve Duchesne and speedy Mathieu Dandenault have been an adequate third pair. In the offseason, Holland may look to replace the soon-to-be 37-year-old Duchesne.

Up front, the Wings will likely be without captain Steve Yzerman for the first part of the season. Yzerman, who has played on one good leg throughout the playoffs, will need reconstructive surgery on his right knee this summer. A hard worker who has recovered from serious injury in the past, Yzerman, 37, should be good for another three seasons. And, next spring, he'll be more rested and ready when the playoffs roll around.

Detroit's other veterans aren't showing too much rust. Sergei Fedorov continues to be a dangerous two-way force. He has enjoyed a great postseason and will get some consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Brett Hull, Brendan Shanahan and the ageless Igor Larionov all have come up with big plays during this playoff run. Like this season, their minutes will have to be monitored during the regular season.

Luc Robitaille, another of the Wings' veteran forwards, might be moved after the season. Robitaille hasn't fit like some of the club's other acquisitions. Perhaps, the Ducks would be willing to deal for this West Coast icon.

Grind liners Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper and Darren McCarty, as well as crease crashing Tomas Holmstrom, are key -- but replaceable -- parts to the mix. All four remain young enough to be effective contributors for at least a couple of more seasons.

Younger forwards like Pavel Datsyuk, Boyd Devereaux, Jason Williams and pest Sean Avery will push for more ice time next season. They'll be joined by 21-year-old Swedish import Henrik Zetterberg, who signed with the Wings after an impressive performance for Sweden at the Olympics.

So, if you thought this was the last you'd see of these Red Wings, think again. With a few adjustments, they'll be at or near the top of the league for several years to come.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.