Those guys are getting older, so their play and/or their role must diminish. Let’s rephrase: “Key veterans from the dynasty years”. Draper and Maltby have been key figures for the Wings for years — checkers, penalty killers, irritants, proven winners — and I have yet to be convinced that the likes of Patrick Eaves and Darren Helm will prove to be adequate replacements even down the road, let alone right now. One way or the other, the Wings “third” line is gradually weakening. So is their first pairing on the blue, which ultimately will prove even more critical; my point was their whole line-up is rife with guys with a lot of wear on their tires.