After what some would call a breakout year for Detroit Red Wing’s center Valtteri Filipula, the expectations are for significant production from the 28-year-old Finn. Playing in the last year of a contract will also motivate Filipula, who could test the free agent market if Detroit can’t afford to keep him.

Playing overseas in his native land for the Jokerit Helsinki club of the SM-liiga, Filipula sprained ligaments in his knee and could be out for the next four weeks. Not a terrible problem for Red Wing fans because there is no season right now. If, and when, the NHL season begins, look for the seven-year veteran to pick up where he left off last season.

On a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Jiri Hudler (now with Calgary), Filipula hit career highs in almost every significant fantasy category. After producing the numbers that the Red Wing scouts had projected for him, Filipula can cash in with another big season if he chooses to hit the free agent market.

A closer dissection of Filipula’s big year showed that he was particularly productive during Red Wing wins. 57 of his 66 points occurred during victories, which is a huge disparity that could be looked at a couple of different ways.

Either he was a large part of Detroit’s success or can be tagged as a reason for their failures. In the playoffs Filipula also pulled a vanishing act, with only two assists in a five game elimination at the hands of the Nashville Predators.

These could be looked at as red flags, but as Filipula continues to mature and get better, he’ll be held more accountable either in Detroit or wherever he ends up. A big payday is coming for Valtteri Filipula, and we’ll see if he can maintain the rising career arc that he is riding. It may benefit him to stay in Detroit where he can be a star without the pressure of new expectations.