Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Big challenge awaits Panthers' much-improved defense

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November 20

Miami Herald

"The Panthers defense has been much improved over the past few weeks, and it will be put to the test Friday against the defending Western Conference champion Red Wings. And Scott Clemmensen, Florida's most vocal defensive critic to date this season, will find out firsthand how much better things have gotten. Clemmensen, who gave up seven goals against Washington on Nov. 7 and said playing behind the Panthers defense was ``kind of survival'' afterward, will start in place of Tomas Vokoun. ``We didn't want to play Vokoun back-to-back in less than 24 hours with the travel,'' said coach Pete DeBoer, noting the Panthers visit the New York Rangers on Saturday. ``Those [Eastern Conference] games ..."

Detroit homecoming for DeBoer

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November 20

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"As Panthers coach Pete DeBoer stood inside Joe Louis Arena looking out at the ice Thursday, he was struck with memories from long ago. DeBoer was an assistant coach to Paul Maurice with the Detroit Junior Red Wings when they won the Ontario Hockey League title in 1995, drawing huge crowds while playing home games in Joe Louis Arena. It was the start of DeBoer's coaching career. He eventually became coach of the Red Wings when they became the Detroit Whalers and then Plymouth Whalers. "It's a nice area. My friends live right across the river, and I've got a lot of friends and family here so it's a little bit of a homecoming," DeBoer said. DeBoer's favorite memory in Joe Louis Arena? A ..."

Red Wings' Chris Osgood, Kirk Maltby will play vs. Panthers

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November 19

Detroit Free Press

"Coach Mike Babcock said goaltender Chris Osgood and forward Kirk Maltby will return to the lineup Friday, when the Detroit Red Wings host the Florida Panthers at 7:30 p.m. Jimmy Howard will get his next start in net Saturday at Montreal. "Howie played good in Montreal last year," Babcock said. "He took us to a shoot-out there and played well in there, so this gives him another day to just have a breath. He was excellent today in practice, too." Osgood and Maltby missed the last three games with flu-like symptoms. Babcock said Maltby will replace Brad May in the lineup."

Workload helps Jimmy Howard grow

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November 19

Detroit Free Press

"Chris Osgood is 8 pounds lighter; Jimmy Howard, four games wiser. After a nearly weeklong battle with a nasty virus, Osgood is back at work and nearing a return to his starting job in net for the Red Wings. While Osgood has ailed, Howard has thrived on a workload that saw him make 29 saves in a 3-1 loss to Dallas Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson scored on power plays and Matt Niskanen one-timed the puck in off the left goal post on a screen. Before Osgood got sick last Thursday, Howard had just three starts and two relief appearances the first 15 games. In the three games prior to Dallas, Howard made 25 stops in a blowout victory at Columbus, then came home the ..."

Sergei Fedorov: Red Wings were jealous

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November 19

Detroit Free Press

"Just like we all suspected, Sergei Fedorov felt underappreciated by the Red Wings during his time in Detroit. "For the full 13 years I was there, I never figured out who supported me on that team," Fedorov told hoticemag.com. "... If you only knew how many undercurrents there were between the players and the coaches and management. There's no escaping it. Like in any other group, probably." If fact, he thinks the same applied to the whole Russian Five. And Russian players in general. So that leaves Anna Kournikova who really got the appreciation she deserved. "I think we could have accomplished even more if it hadn't been for the jealousy," Fedorov said of the Russian Five. Uh, what ..."

Disallowed goal angers Wings

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November 19

Detroit Free Press

"While readily admitting they didn't play nearly well enough Wednesday, the Red Wings mostly were baffled and disgusted. Their 3-1 loss at Joe Louis Arena to the Stars, after all, might have turned out differently had Brad May's perfectly good goal at 6:24 of the third period not been called off. Referees Stephane Auger and Dennis LaRue ruled the whistle had blown when May's shot from the slot sneaked in past Dallas goalie Alex Auld's left skate. "It wasn't blown dead," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "That was a goal. I know what the league said, it's not reviewable, but ... the guy never meant to blow the whistle. It was a shot. It was in on the shot. It's just dumb as I've ever seen. But ..."

Stars hand Wings first home loss in regulation

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November 19

Detroit News

"You can bet Red Wings general manager Ken Holland will be burning up the phone lines to the NHL offices in Toronto today. The Dallas Stars skated out of Joe Louis Arena with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night, handing the Wings their first regulation home loss of the season and stopping their seven-game point streak. After scoring 19 goals in their previous three games, the Wings technically got only one past Stars backup goalie Alex Auld. But they will argue for an asterisk on this one. Down 2-1 six minutes into the third period, the Wings appeared to score the tying goal. Brad May picked up a rebound and tucked a backhander between the post and Auld's left pad. The puck was clearly in the ..."

Stars fans should be patient regarding player movement

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November 19

Dallas Morning News

"There has been much discussion in blogs and chats and tweets and message boards and Facebook walls about how the Stars should go about making trades right now to fix all of their problems. And some of you have come to me with these questions. And to you, I say...patience, my children, patience. In a perfect world, the Stars would have already plugged their holes and put together a flawless and injury-free lineup that would roll to the Stanley Cup. In a perfect world, Les Jackson's move toward youth would have opened up a large amount of cap space, and the normally free-spending Stars would have signed Jay Bouwmeester to a free agent contract in the summer. In a perfect world, Sean Avery ..."

Auld a hit in leadoff role of Dallas Stars' goalie setup

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November 19

Dallas Morning News

"Maybe riding Marty Turco doesn't really mean riding him. Stars coach Marc Crawford said earlier in the week he was ready for Turco to play more games. But Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, they went with Alex Auld, and he looked great in the Stars' 3-1 win. One of the concerns with the Stars' pace of win one, lose one this season is that the team must adjust between their two goalies' opposite styles. Auld is more conservative in his puck movement. Turco is more adventurous."

Stars take down Red Wings, 3-1, in Detroit

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November 19

Dallas Morning News

"The Stars have seen the kind of team they can be. Now, the question is whether they can control when they are that team and when they aren't. Dallas took a convincing 3-1 win over Detroit on Wednesday night to become the first team in nine games to win in regulation at Joe Louis Arena. Add that to the 3-2 shootout win in San Jose last week and an earlier 4-3 win in Chicago, and the Stars have three victories in places where home teams are 23-3-4 this season. "It's who we want to be and who we think we are, and now we just have to try to show we can be that team every night," forward Steve Ott said. "That's the challenge." The Stars can get up for a challenge. Coming off a disappointing ..."

Darren Helm finding his groove on third line with guidance from Kris Draper

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November 18

Detroit Free Press

"Darren Helm finally is figuring things out, not the least thanks to having a dynamo like Kris Draper as a linemate and as a lockermate in the Red Wings' locker room. The Wings take a three-game winning streak into tonight's game against Dallas at Joe Louis Arena, thanks in part to their effective third line, which features an improved Helm at the pivot. After a slow start, Helm is looking more like the player the Wings have thought highly of since his outstanding performance in the 2008 playoffs, and he's figuring out how to harness that energy to last through the grind of the season. "That's probably been my biggest problem even in juniors and when I was in Grand Rapids, just being able ..."

Wings' Chris Osgood won't play until Friday at earliest

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November 18

Detroit News

"Chris Osgood is getting better from the flu, but still isn't quite healthy enough to play. Osgood practiced with the Wings Tuesday morning but was still coughing in the dressing room afterward. He hasn't played since Nov. 7 against Toronto. The Wings recalled goaltender Daniel Larsson from Grand Rapids, so there were three goaltenders on the ice Tuesday. "I didn't even watch him, on purpose," coach Mike Babcock said of Osgood. "Howie's (Jimmy Howard) starting (Wednesday against Dallas). Larsson's going to back up and then we'll go from there. Ideally, Ozzie will be ready for Friday night.""

Red Wings welcome visitors to practice

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November 18

Detroit News

"There were great hockey players on the ice at Joe Louis Arena on Monday, and that was before the Red Wings started practice. The Windsor Spitfires, who won the Memorial Cup last season and lead the Ontario Hockey League at 19-3-0, practiced at the Joe, and then watched the Wings. Afterward, they toured the locker room and were scheduled to have lunch with coach Mike Babcock and the Wings. "Obviously Warren (Rychel, Spitfires GM) and Bougie (coach Bob Boughner) have done a real good job over there, they've got a heck of a team," Babcock said. "I coached major junior hockey eight years. I never, ever coached a team like that. That's as loaded as you can get for junior hockey. "We just ..."

Former Red Wing Brendan Shanahan retires

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November 17

Michigan Live

"Former Detroit Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan announced his retirement today. Here is the press release from the NHL: One of the National Hockey League's all-time greatest snipers and one of its fiercest competitors, Brendan Shanahan, announced his retirement today, bringing an end to his 21-year career. "I would like to thank my family and all of the friends who have helped me achieve and maintain my childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League", said Shanahan. "I am enormously grateful to all of my coaches and teammates I've had the privilege of learning from and playing along side of, throughout my career. While I always dreamed of playing in the NHL, I can't ..."

Chris Osgood practices but isn't expected to play Wednesday

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November 17

Detroit Free Press

"Chris Osgood returned to practice today. But given that he has been out five days battling flu-like sickness, the Detroit Red Wings will have Daniel Larsson backing up goalie Jimmy Howard when the Wings host Dallas on Wednesday night, coach Mike Babcock said. Larsson said the Wings called him at 1 a.m. today, and he drove in from Grand Rapids this morning. "It's no problem," he said. "I like being here." Howard is slated to get his fourth straight start when the Wings take a three-game winning streak up against the Stars. Babcock said the lineup will remain the same."

Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg earns weekly NHL honor

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November 16

Michigan Live

"Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg was named the NHL's first star for last week. Here is the release from the NHL: NEW YORK (November 16, 2009) -- Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg, Atlanta Thrashers left wing Ilya Kovalchuk and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller have been named the NHL 'Three Stars' for the week ending Nov. 15. FIRST STAR -- HENRIK ZETTERBERG, LW, DETROIT RED WINGS Zetterberg led all scorers with nine points (four goals, five assists), tallied two game-winning goals and recorded a +5 rating, helping the Red Wings (10-5-3) post three consecutive victories. Zetterberg notched a pair of assists and a +2 rating in a 9-1 victory over the ..."

Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart takes shot at offense

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November 16

Detroit Free Press

"When Brad Stuart arrived in Detroit in February 2008, the Red Wings had a specific role in mind for the big defenseman. "They told me what they wanted from me was a big physical presence and play solid defense and go from there," Stuart said. "They never really asked me to do anything offensively, and with the guys we have here, I can't really complain about not being on the power play. I just put my focus on other parts of the game -- killing penalties and playing a good, hard physical game." With injuries having depleted the Wings, especially among power-play regulars, Stuart is handling the puck more, accumulating all four of his points in the past eight games. "He definitely has an ..."

Jonathan Ericsson showing a lot of character for Wings

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November 16

Detroit News

"What's the old adage: adversity doesn't build character, it exposes it? The character of a couple of young Red Wings got tested during their 7-4 victory over the Ducks on Saturday, with positive results. Jonathan Ericsson, the Wings' 25-year-old defenseman playing his first full NHL season, might have thought he was in the Twilight Zone for a prolonged stretch Saturday. His first bit of oddness came at the end of the first period. During some roughhousing in front of the Ducks net, he pulled Corey Perry out of the scrum, dropped his gloves and challenged him to a fight. The problem was, Ericsson couldn't get his helmet off. The chin strap wouldn't budge and the helmet stayed on the back ..."

Familiar result for Ducks in Detroit

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November 15

Orange County Register

"By the time Henrik Zetterberg finished off a third-period hat trick with an empty-net goal to close a wild final stanza, the Ducks left the ice wearing the same collective forlorn look as they did in last season's Western Conference semifinals. Except this latest battle against the Detroit Red Wings featured a team that is no longer near the conference's elite and merely looking to escape the bottom. Again, it was a night where the Ducks ultimately came up short as Detroit's five-goal third answered every challenge made in a 7-4 victory Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena in the first game between the teams since the Red Wings advanced with a Game 7 victory. The teams combined for eight ..."

Henrik Zetterberg's hat trick in third cooks Ducks

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November 15

Detroit Free Press

"Henrik Zetterberg's hat trick in the third period helped the Red Wings to a 7-4 win over the Ducks tonight at the Joe Louis Arena. Zetterberg's goal at 9:10 of the third looked to be the difference-maker, but Ryan Getlaf (one goal, three assists) scored on a 5-on-3 power play at 14:27 tied the game. But Zetterberg scored again at 15:29 to take the lead for good. Darren Helm added an insurance goal at 17:45. Zetterberg then scored an empty-netter at 19:59 to elicit the hat tosses from the crowd. "It was pretty crazy back and forth," said Zetterberg, who recorded his fourth NHL hat trick. "Too much back and forth. But we won the game. That was most important." The Red Wings led, 2-0, after ..."

Wings' Ville Leino makes impact with Zetterberg, Cleary

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November 15

Detroit Free Press

"As the Red Wings have moved deeper into the season, they've had to reinvent lines to mask the absences of Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula and Jason Williams. Earlier this week, Ville Leino was moved up to play with Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary, creating a line that wreaked havoc on the Ducks on Saturday night, as the trio helped provide a 7-4 victory at Joe Louis Arena. "Z's line was great," coach Mike Babcock said. "He's got good energy, and his linemates I thought played real good tonight. I thought Cleary was absolutely fantastic; I thought Leino was real good as well." Leino didn't get any points, but he set up Zetterberg for a good scoring opportunity on their first shift and had ..."

Top-rated Nick Lidstrom isn't concerned about scoring slip

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November 15

Detroit News

"During the Hall of Fame festivities last weekend in Toronto, inductee Brian Leetch was asked by the Hockey News for an assessment of Red Wings defenseman Nick Lidstrom. "I tell people, the game's not as easy as Nick makes it look," Leech said. "That's the biggest compliment I can give him. He does it all and he does it efficiently." The Hockey News, in its Nov. 16 edition, assembled a panel of general managers and scouts that included the Wings' Jim Nill, Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford and Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, and determined that Lidstrom, at age 39, still is the best defenseman in the game. He was voted to have the best first pass, be the best shutdown player ..."

Henrik Zetterberg's third-period hat trick lifts Red Wings

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November 15

Detroit News

"Lest there was any doubt about Henrik Zetterberg being among the ultra-elite centermen in the NHL hockey league, witness his five-point performance in leading the Red Wings to a rollicking 7-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. "He's playing as good as he ever has right now," Niklas Kronwall said. "Shift after shift he's out there against the other team's top line. Z just kind of took it over tonight." That he did. He scored three goals in the final 10:50 to keep the Wings on top of a wild seesaw ride in the third period. "It was just nice to get the two points," said Zetterberg, who now has eight goals and 14 assists on the season. "I had a lot of chances early. I think I ..."

Goalie Jimmy Howard among big question marks for streaking Red Wings

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November 14

Michigan Live

"The Detroit Red Wings are 9-3-3 since returning from their season-opening trip to Sweden. They are near the top of the Central Division. They are only six points behind last season's pace despite personnel losses and injuries. So perhaps the sky isn't falling, as some have suggested. Here are five pressing questions regarding the Red Wings: 1. Were the past two games a turning point in goaltender Jimmy Howard's career? For Howard, it's a matter of confidence and consistency. His performance was a huge boost, not only for his own confidence but for the team's confidence in him. After playing well in Columbus Wednesday, he stole Thursday's game against Vancouver. In his past seven periods, ..."

Defense stepping up, Jimmy Howard strong in back-to-back victories for Red Wings

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November 14

Detroit Free Press

"When the Red Wings returned home from Sweden, they had given up nine goals over two games -- and that came after spending all exhibition season focusing on being tough to play against defensively. A month later, the Wings are playing more like the team they want to be. Headed into tonight's game, the Wings have allowed one goal or less in five of their past six games. They are on a 5-1 run, starting with the Oct. 31 win at Calgary. "That Calgary game, I think we started to be a little more committed defensively," defenseman Brad Stuart said. "And our goaltending's been great, which is a large percentage of that. When you get those two things working together you're going to have some ..."

Dear Forsberg, come quick, Canuck scoring disappearing

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November 13

Vancouver Sun

"Could we please get a performance from Roberto Luongo? Sure, he was out 16 days with a rib fracture that won't be fully healed for another three weeks. And, yes, he was on the road against the Detroit Red Wings. But how freakin' hard is it to blank the conference champions? It's not like we're asking for a half-billion-dollar stadium roof here. One lousy shutout. Just stop them all. Luongo couldn't even do that on his return to the National Hockey League. The Vancouver Canuck goalie stopped 27 of 29 shots Thursday in his first start since Oct. 27, which was two saves too few as his slumping team generated just one goal for the third straight game. The Red Wings, badly outplayed through two ..."

Wings' Jimmy Howard 'stellar' in win over his idol

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November 13

Detroit Free Press

"Steve Yzerman dropped the puck, and Jimmy Howard stopped it - and stopped it and stopped it. Playing as good a game as he has in the NHL, Howard made 31 saves Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena and had an assist on Niklas Kronwall's empty net goal to give the Red Wings a 3-1 victory over the Canucks. It was Howard's second one-goal against victory in as many nights. "He was stellar the whole game," Nicklas Lidstrom said. "He played tremendous for us. They had some great chances, too, some two-on-ones, some lateral passes where he came across and made some key saves. It was great to see." Fans gave Yzerman, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday in Toronto, a rousing, standing ..."

Drew Miller makes Red Wings debut vs. Canucks

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November 13

Detroit Free Press

"Drew Miller spent the early part of Thursday watching video, part of an intensive course on how to play for the Red Wings. The newest Wing then made his debut in a 3-1 victory over Vancouver at Joe Louis Arena, playing on a line with fellow former Spartan Justin Abdelkader and Brad May. Miller replaced Kirk Maltby, who was sick, coach Mike Babcock said. What ailed Maltby also affected his airplane-seat neighbor Chris Osgood, who was too under the weather to back up, prompting the team to bring in Daniel Larsson from Grand Rapids to back up Jimmy Howard. Babcock said Howard likely will play again Saturday against Anaheim. Miller played 11:33 and helped keep the Canucks 1-for-5 on the power ..."

Wings aren't interested in Jean-Sabastien Giguere

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November 13

Detroit News

"Media and internet rumors circulating out of the general managers' meetings in Toronto earlier this week intimated that the Anaheim Ducks are seeking trade offers for $6 million goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, now a back-up to Jonas Hiller. Whether those rumors are true doesn't matter to the Red Wings. They are not interested, either way. General manager Ken Holland, though he would not talk specifically about Giguere, said he has not talked trades and doesn't expect to talk trades with any team any time soon. The Wings, with $12 million of salary on the injured list with Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula, Jason Williams and Andreas Lilja -- all of whom are expected back at some point ..."

Henrik Zetterberg scores winner as Wings grind out another one

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November 13

Detroit News

"The Red Wings seemed to be on the ropes from the opening faceoff Thursday, but goaltender Jimmy Howard kept them propped up just long enough for Henrik Zetterberg to sneak behind the Vancouver defense, lift a backhander over Roberto Luongo eight minutes into the third period and send them to a 3-1 victory over the Canucks. It was the Red Wings' fifth win in six games. They've allowed just four goals in those five wins. "We are now 9-3-3 since coming back from our trip (to Sweden)," coach Mike Babcock said. "We aren't winning games in the same fashion that we used to, that's pretty obvious. But we are finding ways to grind games out and that's what we have to do." On the winner, Niklas ..."

Red Wings take a chance on Drew Miller

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November 13

Detroit News

"You can't blame Drew Miller for being just a bit confused about how his young NHL career has gone thus far. The Ducks liked him enough to put him on the ice in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, though he spent the regular season in the American Hockey League. They liked him enough to play him for 13 games (two goals and an assist) in the playoffs last season, though he again spent most of the year in the AHL. The Lightning liked Miller enough to trade Evgeny Artyukhin to the Ducks for him last August. Yet, his production and ice time gradually diminished over 14 games, and the Lightning put him on waivers for purposes of sending him to the AHL. The Wings surprised the Lightning, and ..."

Drew Miller will play vs. Canucks; Osgood, Maltby ill

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November 12

Detroit News

"The Red Wings are wasting no time throwing newly-acquired forward Drew Miller into the fire. Picked up off waivers Wednesday from Tampa Bay, Miller will skate on the fourth line Thursday night against Vancouver with his former Michigan State teammate Justin Abdelkader and his former Anaheim teammate Brad May. "To come to a team that has had the success the Wings have had in the past and to be able to play with players of this caliber and with such a good coaching staff, it's a big thing," Miller said after a quick skate Thursday morning. "It's nice to come to a team where there are so many familiar faces, too. It helps make the transition easier." Miller, 25, has yet to play a full season ..."

Red Wings enforcer Brad May doesn't wait long togloves

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November 12

Michigan Live

"Detroit Red Wings forward Brad May, in only his second game back since being clipped in the right eye Oct. 31 by an inadvertent stick, did not hesitate to fight the Columbus Blue Jackets' Jarred Boll in the first period Wednesday night. May, who is wearing a visor, took off his helmet before the fight, as did Boll. "I'm good. That (injury) is in the past," May said. "If you go out there scared or timid, it's only going to hurt you. There's no question you think about it, but I'm not worried." May took a huge swing and missed, falling to the ice. "If you compared it to golf, I was trying to hit a great tee shot," May said. "I think it went up in the fescue, though. I over-swang.""

Niklas Kronwall, Justin Abdelkader each score twice as Red Wings pound Blue Jackets, 9-1

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November 12

Michigan Live

"The upstart Columbus Blue Jackets were tied for first place in the Central Division on Wednesday. But the Detroit Red Wings, despite their personnel losses and rash of injuries, made a major statement by showing the Blue Jackets they still are quite capable of continuing their divisional dominance. The Red Wings scored four unanswered goals in the first period and never took their foot off the gas en route to a 9-1 rout of the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. "We didn't play well at all against Toronto (5-1 loss on Saturday). We wanted to show ourselves that we can play some good hockey," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "We came out with a lot of urgency and were on top of our game from ..."

Red Wings blow away Blue Jackets

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November 12

Detroit Free Press

"That's the kind of effort the Red Wings expect from themselves. Still upset about the way they played in a 5-1 loss at Toronto last Saturday, the Wings scored early and often and went on to beat the Blue Jackets, 9-1, on Wednesday night. The Wings scored four goals over the first 11:57 of the game and went to set a record for most goals by a visiting team at Nationwide Arena. "We didn't play well at all against Toronto and we wanted to show ourselves that we could play some good hockey," said defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who led the Wings with three points, including a pair of power play goals. "We came out with a lot of urgency and we were on top of our game from the start of the game ..."

Wings claim ex-Spartan Drew Miller off waivers from Lightning

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November 12

Detroit News

"The Red Wings have claimed former Michigan State forward Drew Miller off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Miller, 25, a sixth-round draft pick by Anaheim in 2003, played in 14 games for Tampa Bay this season, with no points and two penalty minutes. In 67 NHL games, Miller has six goals and nine assists. He is the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller."

Red Wings bring limited arsenal against Jackets

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November 11

Columbus Dispatch

"Since the Detroit Red Wings were last seen in Nationwide Arena, routing the Blue Jackets out of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Winged Wheel has endured a series of staggering blows. First came a Game 7 loss to Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Finals, a shock to many in the Motor City. Next was a summer in which the NHL's salary cap finally dropped its hammer, forcing the cap-squeezed Red Wings to part with forwards Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson. And just when the Red Wings thought it was safe to look up again, a wave of injuries -- forwards Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula and Jason Williams are all out tonight -- has sapped them of their secondary scoring. ..."

Hockey, Yzerman fans can now see a legend anytime

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November 11

Detroit Free Press

"The afternoon after Steve Yzerman was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Detroit Red Wings star stopped by once more to visit in person. "You just missed him by 10 minutes," said a Hall of Fame employee, polishing the Stanley Cup in the Great Hall. Autograph hounds still lingered outside the front door on Front Street on Tuesday, hoping for a glimpse of the star. Luckily, visitors to the popular tourist attraction now can see Yzerman anytime - or at least his pictures and memorabilia. What can you actually see? In the main hall, a new exhibit showcases Yzerman, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille and Brian Leetch, the newest Hall of Fame members. Yzerman's and Hull's showcases are side by ..."

Wings' Brad Stuart now part of power play

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November 11

Detroit Free Press

"Defenseman Brad Stuart has never been concerned about a lack of power-play ice time since coming to the Red Wings in a 2008 trade with the L.A. Kings. And now, with Jason Williams out eight weeks with a broken fibula, Stuart got some practice time with the second power-play unit on Tuesday. "He's got the real hard shot," Wings coach Mike Babcock said of Stuart. "He's always played on the power play prior to coming here. We just have used him way more in a penalty-kill role, in a physical matchup role. We like him to get his minutes that way, but when things change, things change. You gotta adjust." Stuart leads all Wings with 3:31 of shorthanded ice time per game and is third in total ice ..."

Healthy Tomas Holmstrom provides offense

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November 11

Detroit News

"Tomas Holmstrom already is more than halfway to last season's goal total. Holmstrom played in only 53 regular-season games in 2008-09 because of a sports hernia and back and knee injuries. He had 14 goals and 23 assists. This season, Holmstrom has eight goals and two assists in 15 games. "My body feels pretty good," Holmstrom said. "It's a big difference when you can be healthy, you don't have to worry about twisting and turning out there, the pain and ache, you can more concentrate on what to do on the ice and be ready for every shift instead of coming to the bench and (thinking), 'Oh, that hurts again.' There's nothing worse. For sure, when you're hurt, it affects your game, especially ..."

Draper on Darren McCarty's TV gig: 'He better be a homer'

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November 11

Detroit News

"Darren McCarty's days of being around the Red Wings aren't over. McCarty has been hired as an NHL analyst by the Versus TV network, and he will work the Wings' Nov. 23 game in Nashville. "He better not rip any of us," said his friend, Kris Draper. "If I find out, we'll be talking. He better be a homer." McCarty hasn't officially announced his retirement, but Draper said the way he was talking recently, it sounded like his playing career was finished. "He was hoping to get an opportunity to go into TV," Draper said. Draper gave his assessment of how he expected McCarty to perform on television: "I think his looks are definitely more for radio than television, but I think he's going to ..."

Ville Leino joins the Cleary-Zetterberg line

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November 10

Detroit Free Press

"This is a time of change for Red Wings forward Ville Leino. He practiced on a new line Monday and should be receiving a new batch of hockey sticks later this week. Leino replaced injured forward Jason Williams on a line with Dan Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg when the Wings practiced at Joe Louis Arena. Williams is expected to miss at least eight weeks after suffering a broken fibula in a 5-1 loss Saturday at Toronto. "We'll see what happens," coach Mike Babcock said. "We think Ville's a real intelligent hockey player. He's played real well for us in the past. He's at a point his confidence isn't as good as it has been in the past. So, he's gotta do his part, and we're going to try to help ..."

Leino in for injured Williams at Wings practice

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November 10

Detroit Free Press

"Ville Leino replaced injured forward Jason Williams on a line with Dan Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg at Detroit Red Wings practice today at Joe Louis Arena. "We'll see what happens," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We think Ville's a real intelligent hockey player. He's played real well for us in the past. He's at a point his confidence isn't as good as it has been in the past. So he's gotta do his part, and we're going to try and help him out. Obviously, if you end up playing with Z and Clears, those are good players." Leino has two goals, one assist and is minus-4 in 14 games this season. Williams is expected to miss at least eight weeks after suffering a broken fibula in a 5-1 loss at ..."

Red Wings molded Yzerman into leader

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November 10

Detroit Free Press

"Steve Yzerman accepted his rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame with the grace and humility that marked his remarkable 22 seasons with the Red Wings. Speaking for more than 10 minutes at his induction ceremony, Yzerman thanked everyone who influenced a career that included three Stanley Cups and numerous individual achievements. "I don't believe -- as a matter of fact, I know I wasn't a natural born leader," he said. "I was molded into the leader of the Detroit Red Wings by my teammates, by my friends, my coaches, everyone. So I stand here representing all of you." Those in attendance for Yzerman's induction included Mike and Marian Ilitch, who bought the Wings in 1982 and drafted a ..."

Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull recall Detroit days

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November 10

Detroit Free Press

"On the day they were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, former Red Wings Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille looked back on how a young Russian and an old Russian helped forge their hockey legends. The two players came to Detroit in 2001, when Pavel Datsyuk was an undersized rookie with oversized skill, and Igor Larionov was winding down a career that saw him inducted into the Hall in 2008. The spotlight on that 2001-02 team shone brightest on superstars Hull, Robitaille, fellow 2009 inductee Steve Yzerman, along with Dominik Hasek, Brendan Shanahan and Sergei Fedorov. But the magic Hull had with Datsyuk and Robitaille had with Larionov and Tomas Holmstrom was a key reason the Wings finished ..."

Memories of Wings' 2002 Cup team dominate Hall of Fame talk

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November 10

Detroit News

"Steve Yzerman stood in the middle of a large circle of media Monday, wearing his Hockey Hall of Fame blazer and his brand new hall of fame ring several hours before the formal induction ceremony and he was struck by how easily his career could have gone a completely different direction. "There is such a fine line between winning and losing," Yzerman said. "I came into the league in 1983 and retired in 2006. You win three Cups and you say, 'Wow, it was a successful career.' But the 19 other years weren't so successful. You grind it out just to win one Cup and you can consider yourself a success." Yzerman, Red Wings captain for 20 seasons, went into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday with ..."

Hall-bound Wings trio renowned for talent, wit

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November 9

Detroit Free Press

"The talent possessed by Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille -- three Red Wings who will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame tonight -- inspired awe in those who surrounded them on a daily basis. Their wit often left those same teammates laughing. Yzerman, 44, Hull, 45, and Robitaille, 43, overlapped in Detroit from 2001 to 2003. Their impact reverberates today not just from the 2002 Stanley Cup championship they helped deliver, but from the way they carried themselves off the ice -- from Yzerman's dry wit to Hull's delightfully boisterous proclamations to Robitaille's happy-go-lucky demeanor. "I don't think it came out much in the public or in the media," said Nicklas ..."

Holland has no plan to get Wings outside help

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November 9

Detroit Free Press

"General manager Ken Holland said Sunday the solution to the Red Wings' injury losses up front has to come from within and that he does not plan to look for outside help. Top-six forward Jason Williams became the team's latest casualty as he suffered a broken fibula during the second period of Saturday's 5-1 loss at Toronto. Holland said Williams will see a team doctor today, but he expects Williams to be out at least eight weeks. The Wings already were without power forward Johan Franzen, who is out at least through January with a knee injury, and utility forward Valtteri Filppula, who is out through mid-December because of a broken wrist. "It's the nature of the game," Holland said. ..."

Ex-Wings Hull, Robitaille join Yzerman at Hall

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November 9

Detroit News

"It may have been the closest thing Detroit sports fans have had to Murderer's Row. Like the 1927 New York Yankees, the 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings were loaded with the best players of their time, several of whom were destined for the Hall of Fame. On Monday in Toronto, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille, two NHL greats whose stays in Hockeytown were brief but triumphant, join their captain, Steve Yzerman, in their inductions to the Hockey Hall of Fame. "I think my best memory of that team was that at that time I had never played on a team with that much talent," Robitaille said. "And I remember the very first words I heard when I arrived at training camp from Scotty Bowman and Ken Holland were, ..."

The Captain Steve Yzerman heads to the Hall of Fame

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November 9

Detroit News

"The gusting winds of mid-autumn blew in British Columbia as Ron Yzerman packed two sons and their hockey gear into the car and drove to a rink in Cranbrook. The league that interested the father, in 1970, was for 6-year-olds. His older boy, Michael, had turned 6 his previous birthday. The younger, Stevie, was only 5. But his dad was determined he would play. So was Stevie. "Back then, you really didn't have much of a league until you were six, and my dad put me down for a year older than I was," Steve Yzerman recalled. "So, I played." It was far from the last time he would be the youngest player on the ice, or one of the smallest. "I was terrible," Yzerman said, bemused by the memory. ..."

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