Red Wings News

Fired up Wings will be rough on Leafs
Comment
November 7
Toronto Sun
 
"You have to go way back to late February to find the last time the Maple Leafs swept back-to-back games. Beating the Detroit Red Wings tonight in the Hall Of Fame Game at the Air Canada Centre would accomplish that for the first time this season, but it's obviously a tall order. The Stanley Cup champions/finalists of the past two seasons will be just as motivated as the Leafs, with former teammates Steve Yzerman and Brett Hull among the new Hall inductees to be honoured before the game. "Steve impacted our careers and made us better players," veteran Wings' forward Kris Draper said this morning at the ACC. "We were all fortunate to be with him." Draper said the 2002 title team, in which ..."
Red Wings' Patrick Eaves (bruised out) out tonight; Brad May returns one week after eye injury
Comment
November 7
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves will miss tonight's game in Toronto due to a sore left foot. Eaves blocked a shot during the third period of Thursday's game against San Jose. X-rays revealed no fractures. He is listed as day-to-day and should be able to play Wednesday in Columbus. Brad May returns to the lineup, one week after injuring his right eye, getting clipped by teammate Jason Williams' stick. May will wear a visor for the time being."
Osgood allows 2 goals in three straight wins
Comment
November 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"Chris Osgood has made 82 saves and allowed two goals during the Red Wings' season-high three-game winning streak. Osgood made 33 saves and stopped both shots he faced in the shoot-out to help the Wings to a 2-1 victory over the Sharks on Thursday night. His goals-against average has dropped to 2.54, and his save percentage is .910. "Our goaltending is so important for us," coach Mike Babcock said after Thursday's game. "It's been way stronger for three games in a row. Ozzie's got to feel real good about himself. It's important -- I don't care who you are and how much you won in the past -- that you get on a roll and you feel good about yourself and how you play. Then the puck just hits you ..."
Don't panic, Wings fans: Early bumps will get fixed
Comment
November 7
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Michael Rosenberg
"The Red Wings have been great for so long that when they stumble, it's like the king is fidgeting in his throne. Is he OK? Did he wince? What next? This has inspired panic at the most ridiculous times, from the strangest places, but this week it reached a new level. Longtime team executive Jim Devellano told Larry Lage of the Associated Press that "we're going to have to fight just to make the playoffs and it's going to be a grind ... to get home-ice advantage would be a miracle." This begs the question: miracle? In hockey, "miracle" means a bunch of American kids beating Russian superstars in Lake Placid. If the Wings actually do pull off the "miracle" and get home-ice advantage, will ..."
Improved play marks win streak for Wings
Comment
November 7
Detroit News
 
"Don't look now but the Red Wings, on a three-game winning streak, are one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Central Division. "It's way too early to be looking at that," coach Mike Babcock said after Detroit scored a 2-1 shootout win over San Jose on Thursday. "You just have to keep plugging. Our goal is to be in a spot where we can feel good about ourselves after 20 games." Reasons for the recent surge are numerous, but it starts with goalie Chris Osgood. He has allowed two goals in his last nine periods. The defense has settled back in to its original partnerships -- Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski, Brad Stuart and Niklas Kronwall, and Jonathan Ericsson and Brett Lebda."
Wings' May to wear visor
Comment
November 6
Detroit News
 
"Wings forward Brad May is going to look a little different when he gets back on the ice -- which could be Saturday in Toronto. For the first time in his 19 NHL seasons, he's going to wear a visor. "Whatever it takes to get out there, right?" he said. May has been cleared to play by doctors after taking an inadvertent stick in the eye from teammate Jason Williams in Calgary last week. "I am lucky," he said. "The stick hit me square on the eye ball. I thought it could have been so serious. But, five or six days and I feel terrific. I am a lucky guy." The Wings did not practice Friday, so the first time he will skate since the injury will be Saturday morning in Toronto."
San Jose Sharks' streak ends at six as Detroit wins in shootout
Comment
November 6
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov said he thought the puck was safely tucked away under his pad but could tell immediately that Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg didn't share that opinion. "I could see in his eyes that he was just coming and shoving at it," Nabokov said of the only one of 36 shots to get past him Thursday night, a third-period goal that erased a 1-0 San Jose lead and led to a 2-1 shootout victory for the Red Wings. The game ended San Jose's winning streak at six games, but the outcome was an improvement over recent Sharks efforts at Joe Louis Arena. Last season, Detroit embarrassed San Jose twice by a combined score of 10-1. Overall, the Sharks have won only four ..."
San Jose Sharks lose in shootout to Detroit Red Wings
Comment
November 6
Oakland Tribune
 
"Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov said he thought the puck was safely tucked away under his pad but could tell immediately that Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg didn't share that opinion. "I could see in his eyes that he was just coming and shoving at it," Nabokov said of the only one of 36 shots to get past him Thursday night, a third-period goal that erased a 1-0 San Jose lead and led to a 2-1 shootout victory for the Red Wings. The game ended San Jose's winning streak at six games, but the outcome was an improvement over recent Sharks efforts at Joe Louis Arena. Last season, Detroit embarrassed San Jose twice by a combined score of 10-1. Overall, the Sharks have won only four ..."
Wings fans: Early bumps will get fixed
Comment
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Michael Rosenberg
"The Red Wings have been great for so long that when they stumble, it's like the king is fidgeting in his throne. Is he OK? Did he wince? What next? This has inspired panic at the most ridiculous times, from the strangest places, but this week it reached a new level. Longtime team executive Jim Devellano told Larry Lage of the Associated Press that "we're going to have to fight just to make the playoffs and it's going to be a grind ... to get home-ice advantage would be a miracle." This begs the question: miracle? In hockey, "miracle" means a bunch of American kids beating Russian superstars in Lake Placid. If the Wings actually do pull off the "miracle" and get home-ice advantage, will ..."
Hard work pays off for Wings
Comment
November 6
Detroit News
 
"After playing to a 1-1 standoff for 65 minutes, the Red Wings finally finished off the road-weary San Jose Sharks in a shootout, 2-1 Thursday, running their unbeaten streak to five games. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg scored the shootout goals for the Wings. Chris Osgood stopped Dan Boyle and Ryane Clowe. The Wings, down 1-0 after two periods, tied it at 5:38 of the third thanks to some hard work by Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves. Helm won the puck behind the Sharks goal, drove it to the front of the net but was knocked off the puck before he could shoot. Eaves picked it up and fed Nick Lidstrom at the left point. His shot was saved by Evegni Nabokov, but Helm helped jar it loose ..."
Lilja feels better thanks to May
Comment
November 6
Detroit News
 
"If Andreas Lilja gets back on the ice sooner than anybody expected this season, he will owe a big debt of gratitude to teammate Brad May. One of the first things May did when he joined the Red Wings was to refer Lilja to a new-age chiropractor from Vancouver, Don Grant, who has helped several players with similar post-concussion ailments. "I am starting to feel a lot better," Lilja said Thursday morning. "The guy worked miracles on me. I can't really explain what he did, but I had headaches for eight months and after seeing him once, the headaches disappeared for three days. It was unbelievable." Lilja, one of the Wings' top five defensemen before suffering a concussion last February, ..."
Cleary one goal away from the 100th of his career
Comment
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings forward Dan Cleary, who has one goal in 13 games, is one goal away from the 100th of his NHL career. "Getting antsy? That's an understatement," Cleary said. "Can't get too frustrated." Cleary said he has to shoot more when he gets chances. "For me it's just about skating, going to the net and hanging on to the puck," Cleary said. "I'm not concerned. I believe it'll come -- just gotta keep working hard." Coach Mike Babcock said skating is the big thing for Cleary, who was sidelined in training camp with a groin injury. "He's a good player. It's just a matter of time, but his skating is the biggest thing. The pace of his game has got to continue to improve." Cleary had back-to-back ..."
Wings send red-hot Sharks packing
Comment
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Henrik Zetterberg scored the tying goal at 5:38 of the third period, then netted the decisive goal to give the Wings a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in a shootout on Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena. Zetterberg scored on a backhand-to-forehand deke, the same move Pavel Datsyuk made to score on Evgeni Nabokov to begin the shootout. Chris Osgood, who had 30 saves in regulation and two more in overtime, stopped both Dan Boyle and Ryan Clowe. Zetterberg had missed in the shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers four games ago and said he was looking for a new move. "You have to be confident, otherwise you might as well not shoot," Zetterberg said. "That's a new move. I haven't really ..."
Lions replace Seahawks as Osgood's favorite NFL team
Comment
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Lions visit the Seahawks this weekend, so it's a given that Wings goaltender Chris Osgood is doing a lot of trash-talking, right? He must have called his buddy, Lions center Dominic Raiola, to brag about how the Seahawks are going to destroy the Lions, right? After all, Osgood has considered himself a die-hard Seahawks fan for years. He said he loved watching Dave Krieg, Shaun Alexander, Joey Galloway, even Brian (the Boz) Bosworth. "I hope the Lions win now," Osgood said. "Detroit's my No. 1 team now since I've been here a long time. I do watch Seattle still, but for some reason, I've been won over by the Lions. I think it has to do with me living here so long now. All my teams now, ..."
All Wings defensemen ready to go for game vs. Sharks
Comment
November 5
Detroit News
 
"Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said after Thursday's morning skate that his defense corps was back intact. Both Jonathan Ericsson and Brian Rafalski have shaken the flu bug. To start Thursday night's game against San Jose, Babcock said he would pair Rafalski with Nick Lidstrom, moving Niklas Kronwall back with Brad Stuart. Ericsson was back, as usual, with Brett Lebda. Babcock, though, said the pairing could change depending on matchups during the game. The Wings are going to pay extra defensive attention whenever center Patrick Marleau (22 points) is on the ice."
Miracle needed for home-ice advantage this season
Comment
November 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Red Wings have dry-erase boards in the dressing room, nestled between the showers and training room, that show how they stack up. Usually, their winged-wheel logo is at least near the top of the Western Conference standings. Not anymore. Detroit's recent surge - earning a point in seven of its last eight games - has pushed the perennial NHL powerhouse merely into an eighth-place tie after play Tuesday night. It's early and no one thinks Detroit is a bad team. But it's an open question whether the Red Wings will be able to earn home ice advantage in the playoffs for an 18th straight year. "We're going to have to fight just to make the playoffs and it's going to be a grind," ..."
Dan Cleary is stuck at 99 career goals
Comment
November 5
Detroit News
 
"Who knew that his 100th career goal would be so elusive? Danny Cleary is off to his slowest start since joining the Red Wings in 2005-06. He has one goal in 13 games and is a minus-6. He got his 99th career goal in the second game of the season in Sweden and has been scoreless with three assists since. "Getting antsy?" Cleary said after practice Wednesday. "That is an understatement." Cleary has been playing catch-up all season, thanks to a groin injury that sidelined him for most of training camp. He still doesn't appear to have his legs under him. "The big thing is, when you miss training camp and you're hurt, your legs don't move," coach Mike Babcock said. "It takes you a good while ..."
Budd Lynch celebrates 60 years with the Red Wings Budd Lynch celebrates 60 years with the Red Wings
Comment
November 5
Detroit News
 
"In his broadcaster's version of a world he relishes, Budd Lynch has been on the power play for 65 years. Not the penalty box, mind you, which is what one might figure would be the disposition of a man who left his right shoulder and arm on a tract of land in France in 1944, a few hours after a three-inch German rocket bored through him. "My mother always had an Irish philosophy in life," Lynch was saying over lunch last week. "It's a pleasure to grow old. "Many are denied the privilege." So, there we have it, one man's credo for happiness that he will again celebrate tonight at Joe Louis Arena as a big crowd, with Budd Lynch bobblehead dolls in hand, toasts a 92-year-old hockey icon ..."
Niklas Kronwall, Doug Janik sub for ailing Red Wing defenders
Comment
November 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings defensemen Brian Rafalski and Jonathan Ericsson were too ill to play Tuesday night against the Bruins. But defensemen Niklas Kronwall, who missed practice Monday along with Rafalski and Ericsson, was in the lineup, and Doug Janik was called up from Grand Rapids. Ericsson had missed two straight games with the flu, and Rafalski is the latest to feel under the weather. Kronwall said he had had a fever for about a day and a half but was feeling much better Tuesday. The Wings are being extra cautious with cases of H1N1 flu in the league. The bug had been going around the Oilers' locker room when the Wings were in Edmonton last week. The Wings are the fifth team that Janik, 29, has ..."
Power play discovers some of its lost punch
Comment
November 4
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings came into Tuesday scoreless in their seven power-play chances since Valtteri Filppula broke his wrist and 2 for 18 in the last four games. They were cashing in on just 22.2 percent of their power play chances, 12th in the league. "Since we lost Fil the last two games, I know that the one unit doesn't get into the zone very good," coach Mike Babcock said. Babcock did what he normally does when the power play struggles. He put Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the ice together -- something he felt he couldn't do without Filppula on the second power play unit. The result, the two combined on a power-play goal in just two seconds Tuesday -- Zetterberg getting the goal. ..."
Chris Osgood earns 50th career shutout
Comment
November 4
Detroit News
 
"Don't expect Chris Osgood to pop a bottle of champagne or anything like that. Posting his 50th career shutout Tuesday, blanking the Boston Bruins, 2-0, doesn't rank real high on his personal list of achievements. "I don't put much merit in shutouts," he said, after turning away 29 shots. "I don't know why, but I never have. "Like I've said a million times, I grew up watching (former Edmonton goalie) Grant Fuhr and all he cared about was winning the game. That's always been my mindset. I don't really care about the score." Osgood, six wins shy of 400 for his career, has now yielded just one goal in his last six periods, since getting pulled in the first period at Vancouver last week. "We ..."
Return home helps Red Wings
Comment
November 4
Detroit News
 
"So much for the old axiom about teams struggling in the first game back after a long trip. The Red Wings played another solid defensive game Tuesday -- despite having two of their top defensemen, Jonathan Ericsson and Brian Rafalski, out because of the flu -- and Chris Osgood recorded his 50th career shutout, beating the Boston Bruins, 2-0. Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom scored in a 3:22 span of the first period to provide Osgood with all the offense he would need. Osgood, now six wins shy of 400 in his career, stopped 29 shots. He has allowed one goal in the last six periods after he was pulled in the first period in Vancouver last week. The Wings, 3-0-1 in their last four, are ..."
Flu bug hits Detroit Red Wings' defense, but all could be ready for Tuesday's game
Comment
November 2
Michigan Live
 
"Update from the Detroit Red Wings' practice Monday at Joe Louis Arena: The flu bug finally is hitting the dressing room, as two more defensemen, Brian Rafalski and Niklas Kronwall, were ill and missed practice. Jonathan Ericsson, who missed the last game because of the flu, also did not practice. "We went to Edmonton, their whole team was sick, so we're not surprised we end up with some sick guys,'' coach Mike Babcock said. "Ideally, we'll have all hands on deck for tomorrow (vs. Boston), we'll just find out.'' Left wing Brad May, who didn't skate, was scheduled to see team doctors later this afternoon after taking a stick in the eye in Saturday's game. The injury is not significant but ..."
Wings' Brad May (eye) will see another doctor
Comment
November 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Red Wings forward Brad May didn't practice today and said he planned to see an eye doctor for further evaluation. May was hit in the eye by the stick of teammate Jason Williams in Saturday's 3-1 win at Calgary and stayed in Canada overnight with hyphema (blood in the eye). May said today that he initially thought the injury was worse than it was. "It was scary on Saturday," May said. "Twenty minutes later, it felt a little better.""
Red Wings' spirits high after long road trip
Comment
November 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Kris Draper smiled and paused, looking over at fellow forward Pavel Datsyuk as he stretched on the floor of the visitor's locker room in the Saddledome. "Who?" Draper said loudly in response to a reporter's question, making sure he got Datsyuk's attention. "Pav?" The Wings were in high spirits as they packed up their gear for the long flight home to Detroit after wrapping up a 2-1-2 road trip with a 3-1 victory Saturday night against the Flames. Forward Brad May remained behind for observation after an accidental high stick by teammate Jason Williams left May with a swollen right eye and hyphema (blood in the eye). Trainer Piet Van Zant said Sunday morning that May "will be fine but may be ..."
Wings' Brad May gets eye checked out
Comment
November 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings forward Brad May remained overnight in Calgary for observation after suffering hyphema, or blood in the right eye, when he was hit by a teammate's stick during the Wings' 3-1 victory Saturday at Calgary. Trainer Piet Van Zant said this morning that May "will be fine, he may just need to be out for a bit." May was to fly to Toronto today, an off day for the Wings, to see his family. Van Zant said May is scheduled to be re-evaluated Monday in Detroit. Van Zant said it's unlikely May will need to - or want to - start wearing a visor for protection."
Pavel Datsyuk steals win with sneaky skills
Comment
November 2
Detroit News
 
"It doesn't matter how many times his name has been engraved on the Stanley Cup (twice) or the Selke Trophy (last two seasons), Pavel Datsyuk is never going to take himself or his bountiful skills too seriously. "I skate awesome," he said after he helped the Red Wings beat the Calgary Flames, 3-1, on Saturday. "I am like, woosh, but I am still not fast. Everybody skate better than me. I feel like I am flying, but it still looks the same." Well, there is sprinter's speed and being sneaky fast. Datsyuk is more the latter. Just ask Calgary's Curtis Glencross. Datsyuk set up the winning goal by pilfering the puck away from an unaware Glencross in the neutral zone, busting into the attack zone ..."
Red Wings have old Motown mojo back
Comment
November 1
Calgary Herald
 
"A small thing, it seemed at the time. A quick, deft, almost imperceptible upwards flick of a stiletto. But in the hands of an artisan with such a blade, even the smallest of incisions can slice open a major artery. Like Polanski slicing open Nicholson's nose in Chinatown. "He should be a pickpocket, that little beggar,'' marvelled Detroit Red Wings' assistant coach Brad McCrimmon. "I mean, you're not looking, he's lying in wait and vvvvvvvt! He's got your wallet and is whistling his way down the street while you're off looking for a policeman. "He's just stealth. "The best in the league at that.'' Hoodwinking Curtis Glencross with a nimble lift of the Calgary Flames winger's stick, the ..."
Red Wings forwards Justin Abdelkader, Patrick Eaves get bigger roles
Comment
November 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Injured center Valtteri Filppula will not need surgery on his broken right wrist, which puts his return closer to six weeks rather than eight weeks. Meanwhile, some of the newcomers to the Red Wings will get the chance to showcase their skills. Speaking Saturday before the Wings played the Flames at the Saddledome, coach Mike Babcock said forwards Justin Abdelkader and Patrick Eaves, especially, would get a good look while Filppula recovers. Eaves was slated to spend the game on the third line with speedster Kris Draper and Darren Helm, and, because Eaves has such a good shot, he was pegged to join Henrik Zetterberg's power-play unit. Eaves, who scored 20 goals his first season in the NHL ..."
A pair of second-period goals the difference for Red Wings
Comment
November 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings looked like their confident old selves as they wrapped up a grueling five-game road trip with a well-played defensive effort against the Flames. From Chris Osgood making the needed saves to timely goals, the Wings claimed a 3-1 victory at the Saddledome to head home with a 2-1-2 record. "Ozzie made two huge saves in the first minute," Mike Babcock said. "If it had been like the other games, those goals would have went in for sure and then we'd have been behind the eight ball. So Ozzie made two big saves, we settled in and got playing. I thought we took the game over for long periods and we skated well. For the first time maybe all year we were a five-man unit, we made some ..."
Wings end West trip with victory over Flames
Comment
November 1
Detroit News
 
"It has been a while since the music blared in the Red Wings' locker room after a game. But then again, it has been a while since the Wings put together a complete game victory as impressive as their 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames Saturday. "It was the first time maybe all year that we were a five-man unit," coach Mike Babcock said. "I really liked the way we went about our business. We looked like a hockey team." Almost all the scoring took place in a two-minute span of the second period. Goals by Brad Stuart and Tomas Holmstrom scored 59 seconds apart 35 seconds after Daymond Langkow had given the Flames a 1-0 lead.at 14:43. The rest of the game belonged to Chris Osgood and the' Wings ..."
Red Wings give Patrick Eaves chance to resurrect career
Comment
November 1
Detroit News
 
"Kris Draper has seen a change come over new linemate Patrick Eaves the last week or so. "Even in practice you can see that he is a lot more confident," Draper said. "That comes with more opportunity and more ice time. You can see that he's just going out there and playing." Eaves got his first goal as a Red Wing on Thursday in Edmonton, and after Valtteri Filppula broke his right wrist in the same game, Eaves is getting his first real chance to contribute. "Any opportunity you get you feel good about," said Eaves after the Wings' morning skate Saturday. "But my main focus is getting the two points and finishing this trip off. That's all I am worried about." Not only will Eaves skate on ..."
Bertuzzi glad to plug into Motown mojo again
Comment
October 31
Calgary Herald
 
"Looking back, Detroit Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi wonders why he ever drove away from Motown in the first place in favour of playing hockey in southern California. "It's awesome," the hulking forward said Friday, peeling off his Red Wings practice jersey. "I'm obviously honoured that they would call me and ask me to come back. "It's somewhere I wish from the beginning that I didn't even leave. But that's for another day." Bertuzzi has learned to refrain from living his life whilst staring in the rear-view mirror. His career is still perhaps known for the sucker punch that broke Steve Moore's neck. Hard to believe, but that happened more than five years ago and civil legal proceedings ..."
Brother battle brewing
Comment
October 31
Calgary Sun
 
"The Kronwalls have been on opposite sides plenty of times in the past. Calgary Flames defenceman Staffan Kronwall grinned yesterday as he recounted his pre-teen battles with his older brother, Niklas, who now patrols the blueline for the Detroit Red Wings. "We were playing in our yard -- playing land hockey, I guess -- for quite a few years. A couple battles out there," he said. "There's actually another one of us, so there were three guys going at it. We'd go one-on-one-on-one. It would be just everyone against everyone." The numbers on the Flames' back-end are also a bit unusual. Heading into tonight's tilt against the Red Wings at the Saddledome, the club continues to carry eight ..."
Flames, Red Wings look-ahead
Comment
October 31
Calgary Sun
 
"The Flames suffered their second home loss of the season in a confusing 3-2 decision with the Northwest Division-leading Colorado Avalanche Wednesday. Outshooting the Avs 32-14, the Flames couldn't solve G Craig Anderson after scoring twice in the first 70 seconds. Meanwhile, the Red Wings battled back from a 5-1 deficit Thursday night in Edmonton to earn a point in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Oilers. HEAD-TO-HEAD This is the first of four meetings this season. They split the series a year ago, with each club winning once at home and once on the road. Two of the games went to extra time, as both teams finished with 2-1-1 records. The Red Wings have a 9-6-1 advantage since the lockout."
Filppula's absense will cause lines to shift
Comment
October 31
Detroit Free Press
 
"Even before the loss of center Valtteri Filppula, the Red Wings were concerned about turnovers -- something they're looking to limit entering tonight's game against the Flames. They end a five-game trip general manager Ken Holland and several players have called "way worse" than opening the season 0-2 in Sweden. It has been costlier, too, as Filppula -- a second-line center and utility forward -- will miss six to eight weeks after suffering a broken right wrist in Thursday's turnover-plagued 6-5 shoot-out loss at Edmonton. The Wings lost Johan Franzen at the start of October to a knee injury that'll keep him out at least through January. Filppula's absence means Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel ..."
Wings fine with lineup despite injuries
Comment
October 31
Detroit News
 
"Here's the fallout, so far, from the Red Wings losing their second top-six forward this season: Valtteri Filppula is out 6-8 weeks after breaking his right wrist Thursday in Edmonton. General manager Ken Holland made it clear there were no trades or signings forthcoming. "It's a big loss, but lots of teams have had big losses," he said in practice Friday. "You have to find depth. This is an opportunity for (Darren) Helm and Abby (Justin Abdelkader) and (Patrick) Eaves to play. "We're a work in progress, but I've seen a lot of positive signs on this road trip. We just have to start playing a more complete game from the goal on out for 60 minutes. If we do, I like our team." Mike Babcock ..."
How Wings can cope with loss of Filppula
Comment
October 30
Detroit Free Press
 
"With Valtteri Filppula out 6-8 weeks because of a broken bone in his right wrist, this almost certainly necessitates the Wings break up Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk because of a shortage of skilled centers. Zetterberg and Datsyuk started the season separately, anyways, and only were reunited because neither was doing much offensively. Now both have gotten going, with Datsyuk having racked up seven points in the last three games and Zetterberg with points in six of the last seven games. With those two split up, the Wings can go back to using Zetterberg between Todd Bertuzzi and Dan Cleary, as was the original plan."
Oilers edge Red Wings in shootout
Comment
October 30
Edmonton Journal
 columnist Jim Matheson
"At his regular morning media scrum Thursday, Edmonton Oilers head coach Pat Quinn was asked if moving struggling centre Shawn Horcoff back with Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner might rein in the big horses. A negative vortex field, was how a media fellow cleverly put it, as he waded in to question whether some of Horcoff's troubles would rub off on the other two productive wingers, even though Quinn basically said he was basically playing bingo because Mike Comrie's flu necessitated gambling for Thursday night's game against the Detroit Red Wings. Comrie, Quinn said, was going to play with Horcoff on a second line but when he didn't make it to the rink Thursday morning, he decided to shake up ..."
Edmonton Oilers beat Detroit Red Wings 6-5 in shootout
Comment
October 30
Edmonton Journal
 
"At his regular morning media scrum Thursday, Edmonton Oilers coach Pat Quinn was asked if moving struggling centre Shawn Horcoff back with Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner might rein in the big horses. "A negative vortex field" was how a media fellow cleverly put it, as he waded in to question whether some of Horcoff's troubles would rub off on the other two productive wingers, even though Quinn basically said he was basically playing bingo because Mike Comrie's flu necessitated gambling. Comrie, Quinn said, was going to play with Horcoff on a second line but when he didn't make it to the rink Thursday morning, he decided to shake up the first and second units. As it turned out, Horcoff did ..."
Almost flu past them
Comment
October 30
Edmonton Sun
 
"This flu stuff has a way of mutating. Just when it looked like the Edmonton Oilers had solved their can't-score-itis, they contracted can't-hold-onto-a-lead-itis. A game that looked like it was in the bag had to go to a shootout before the Oilers escaped with a 6-5 win. The Oilers improved its home record to 6-5-1 in one of the more bizarre games of the season. Edmonton had built up a 5-1 lead midway through the second period and were relegated to the role of spectators as the Wings clawed their way back into the game. "That's a pretty good team if you let them off the hook," said Oilers coach Pat Quinn. "We started to be the team like they were in the first period. All the things we know ..."
Yzerman's still got game -- to scout
Comment
October 30
Detroit Free Press
 
"What is Steve Yzerman doing on the back roads of Canada, driving off to Calgary one night and then back to Edmonton the next? An episode of "Ice Road Truckers"? "This is a Team Canada mission," he told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun. So it was the Avs-Flames on Wednesday and then the Red Wings-Oilers on Thursday to do a little Olympic scouting. "You write down some names on paper and you realize, whoa, there's going to be some difficult decisions between very, very good players and guys that (are) playing very well," Yzerman said. "But it's starting to shape up a little bit." He said he has caught about a dozen games in October and more on TV -- "I'll watch one at night on TV and then TiVo ..."
Wings' Filppula out for 6-8 weeks
Comment
October 30
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings have lost center Valtteri Filppula for 6-8 weeks with a broken right wrist. Filppula was hurt in the second period of Thursday's 6-5 shootout loss at Edmonton when he was hit by Gilbert Brule. "I feel terrible, but nothing I can do now," Filppula said. "It's not good," Henrik Zetterberg added. "It's tough to lose a player and especially Fil, he plays a lot of minutes and plays in all situations, so it's a tough break for us." General manager Ken Holland said the team would not be recalling anyone from the minors, as they have enough forwards to go around. Filppula has been the team's best forward in October, and was a key center especially after Mike Babcock decided to ..."
Wings lose shootout, lose Valtteri Filppula to injury
Comment
October 30
Detroit News
 
"They got away with spotting the Canucks a 2-0 lead in Vancouver Tuesday, but spotting the Edmonton Oilers two four-goal leads? Why not? Playing a miserable game and on the verge of getting run out of Rexall Place, the Wings got goals from Darren Helm (his first NHL regular season goal) and Henrik Zetterberg late in the second. Then, still down 5-2, they scored three goals in a span of 6:21 in the third to steal an overtime point. But the Oilers salvaged a 6-5 win with Patrick O'Sullivan's goal in the shootout. The Wings' Jason Williams, Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg were all denied by Nikolai Khabibulin in the shootout. But to get the game to overtime was a minor miracle. "We took over ..."
Hitters, not fighters: Brad May won't talk about 'those guys'
Comment
October 30
Detroit News
 
"Red Wing Brad May, who will be on the fourth line Thursday night against Edmonton with Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves, was asked about the growing number of players who love to lay big hits on guys, but steadfastly refuse tothe gloves when challenged. "We know those guys," he said. "We don't have to talk about that. They are still good teammates to their teams. I dislike playing against them, no question. But to talk about them and name names -- nah. They are quality guys. That's why they have a job in this league." May will probably have tothe gloves at some point Thursday night. Either Zach Stortini or Steve McIntyre will challenge him at some point. May's last two fights haven't gone ..."
Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk expects to play Thursday despite missing practice with sore foot
Comment
October 29
Michigan Live
 
"Update from Wednesday's Detroit Red Wings practice at Rexall Place: Pavel Datsyuk didn't skate because of a sore foot from blocking a shot in Tuesday's 5-4 win in Vancouver, but coach Mike Babcock said he will play Thursday in Edmonton "I told you that last year in the playoffs, when he got a shot in the foot, too, and it ended up being a hole in his thigh, so you can't trust me one bit,'' Babcock joked. "No, he got a shot in the foot and he should go. He just was sore today and it wasn't going to be comfortable getting his skate on.'' Babcock said Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves will return to the lineup, replacing Kirk Maltby and Justin Abdelkader. Jimmy Howard will start in goal. He was ..."
Red Wings take steps to avoid H1N1 virus
Comment
October 29
Michigan Live
 
"Players drank from their individual water bottles during practice at Rexall Place, and nobody shared towels. Trainers wiped door handles and disinfected dressing room stalls just to be safe. The Detroit Red Wings took several precautions to combat the H1N1 virus. At least four NHL players have contracted the virus, commonly known as the swine flu. "Your basic flu season precautions," Red Wings trainer Piet Van Zant said. "Try not to touch your nose and mouth with other common surfaces that other people touch. Wash your hands a lot, don't share towels and water bottles as best you can and try to get your rest and make sure you're eating correctly to help your immune system fight things." ..."
Warding off virus is team effort Red Wings Hockey
Comment
October 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings made sure every player had his own water bottle and towel Wednesday, all in an effort to ward off the H1N1 virus that's making the rounds in the NHL. Pavel Datsyuk missed practice, but not for flu concerns -- he was sore from having blocked a shot the previous night. He said he expects to play tonight against Edmonton. The Oilers are one of several teams with a player, Ladislav Smid, who has been diagnosed with H1N1. In Colorado, where the Wings were last weekend, goalie Peter Budaj has been identified as having it, and Islanders forward Doug Weight and Capitals forward Quintin Laing also have had bouts with the strain. That has led the Wings to be extra cautious. "Anytime ..."
Wings' Darren Helm a healthy scratch tonight
Comment
October 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"In an effort to generate more offense, the Detroit Red Wings plan to use Valtteri Filppula liberally tonight against Vancouver. Darren Helm, meanwhile, will be a healthy scratch. Filppula, previously between Jason Williams and Ville Leino, has skated the past two days between big wingers Todd Bertuzzi and Dan Cleary, taking over for Kris Draper. Coach Mike Babcock hedged after the Wings' morning skate at GM Place about whether the line would be together in the evening. "What I'm saying to you is Draper and Fil could be all over the place," Babcock said. "I liked all my lines last game, and yet we're not scoring. And so, when you're not scoring, you're trying to find something to help you ..."
Babcock knows Red Wings forward Darren Helm can be better
Comment
October 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"Coach Mike Babcock termed it a shot over the bow, a message to young Darren Helm that he's better than what he has been. Babcock said after the Red Wings' morning skate Tuesday that his decision to scratch Helm for that night's game against the Canucks came down to two reasons: Let Helm learn from watching, then hope his having done so will motivate him. "Helmer should be pushing for the third-line center, not battling for the fourth-line center," Babcock said. There's no question Helm, 22, can help the Wings. He has done so during two straight playoff runs, using his speed and ferocious fore-checking to pivot the fourth line. His stellar work ensured that this season he'd start with the ..."