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Detroit Red Wings News

Red Wings remain dominant at home, dispatch Oilers 4-2
February 9
Edmonton Journal
 
"A long list of teams preceded the Edmonton Oilers to the losing end of the scoreboard at Joe Louis Arena. Not since the Detroit Red Wings were defeated 4-1 by the Calgary Flames back on Nov. 3 had they lost a home game, and now they need just three more victories to supplant the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers as the record holders. The trouble was the Oilers didn't even make it a fair fight. Detroit just rolled right over a disengaged Edmonton squad on Wednesday night, scoring a 4-2 victory while stretching their streak to 18 consecutive home victories."
Wings, Leafs set for 2013 Winter Classic
February 9
Toronto Sun
 
"About four months ago, NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins called Richard Peddie, CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, to see if the Leafs wanted to play the Red Wings on New Year's Day in front of the biggest hockey crowd in NHL history. The quick response time was a record-breaker alone. "I said absolutely, but wanted to run it by Brian Burke to make sure the team was cool with it," Peddie said Wednesday. "Of course Brian was. I just asked that the league make sure our Leaf season seat holders and our wait-list get a first crack at tickets." The details will come out Thursday in two press conferences to be held at the 110,000-seat Big House at the University of Michigan at"
Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings to enjoy Winter Classic Week
February 9
Toronto Star
 
"It's not just a Winter Classic day. It's now a Winter Classic week. More details about what the NHL plans for its Jan. 1 outdoor game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings — perhaps the worst-kept secret in sports — are beginning to leak out. There'll be two news conferences, one at 10:30 a.m. at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, another at 1:30 p.m. at Michigan Stadium, a.k.a. the Big House, where the league hopes the big game will draw upwards of 100,000 people. The league intends to draw on the population of Leaf Nation — the main reason a Canadian team has been invited to what has been an exclusively American event — to help reach its record crowd levels at the"
Comerica Park, Michigan Stadium team up for hockey spectacle
February 9
Detroit News
 
"Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has been working with the NHL since November on a plan to bring the NHL's Winter Classic to Michigan Stadium. Thursday, the league and the university will unveil those plans for the Jan. 1, 2013 game between the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Michigan stands to gain $3 million by leasing the stadium to the NHL. The NHL hopes to break the hockey attendance record of 104,173, set Dec. 11, 2010, when U-M hosted Michigan State at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's Board of Regents approved the proposal during a special meeting Wednesday that most regents attended via conference call. Brandon said the contract should be finalized "soon.""
Tomas Holmstrom's pain is Red Wings' gain
February 9
Detroit News
 columnist John Niyo
"It's not just Tomas Holmstrom who is on the verge of playing in his 1,000th career game Friday. It's a milestone for the hidden relics of his 15-year NHL career, too. When the Swedish "Demolition Man" came to Detroit in 1996, he brought with him two well-worn pieces of hard plastic — hacked-off inserts from an old pair of shoulder pads. He has them rigged to the back of his hockey pants, attached by a pair of shoelaces, so that the plastic covers the exposed back of his calf muscles — a prime target for opposing goaltenders as Holmstrom parks directly in front of the net and proceeds to make himself a nuisance."
Wings win 18th straight at home, two short of NHL record
February 9
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings contended with a bit of lethargy and the continuation of the Sam Gagner Show on Wednesday, but they beat the Edmonton Oilers, 4-2, for their 18th consecutive win at home, two short of the NHL record. Drew Miller's 11th goal of the season at 10:46 of the third period was the winner. He swooped in on the right wing to collect a puck that had trickled behind the Oilers goalie, Nikolai Khabibulin. Gagner scored both Oilers goals. Six days ago he had five goals on a disappointing season. He now has 13. But as much as the Wings might be tired of seeing Gagner score, the Oilers have had it with Miller, who has tallied four against them this season. "I'm just trying to get around the"
Regents OK $3 million lease of Michigan Stadium for Winter Classic: Leafs vs. Wings
February 9
Detroit News
 
"The University of Michigan is in final negotiations with the NHL to hold the Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Michigan Stadium on Jan. 1, 2013. Michigan stands to gain $3 million from the NHL lease to host the game between the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at noon on New Year's Day. The NHL hopes to break the hockey attendance record of 104,173, set Dec. 11, 2010, when Michigan hosted Michigan State. Michigan's Board of Regents approved the proposal during a special meeting Wednesday morning that most regents attended via conference call. Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said the contract, that he's been working on since November, should be finalized "soon.""
Red Wings return to Joe Louis Arena, where they haven't lost since Nov. 3
February 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings haven't lost at Joe Louis Arena in three months, but then again, they barely have been home the past two. They host the Edmonton Oilers tonight having finished a 31-game stretch Monday at Phoenix that featured a wearisome 21 games on the road. Now come six straight games at the Joe, where the Wings haven't lost since Nov. 3. That sounded as nice to the players after the 3-1 loss to the Coyotes as finally getting to see their loved ones regularly."
Could Jimmy Howard return to Red Wings' net by weekend?
February 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings arrived home Tuesday from Phoenix, ready to make a few doctor's appointments. Goalie Jimmy Howard will visit a hand specialist today, general manager Ken Holland said. Howard suffered a small fracture to his right index finger Thursday at Vancouver when he was hit by a puck, but the injury never was considered serious, and Holland didn't rule out Howard returning by Friday (vs. Ducks) or Sunday (vs. Flyers). "If the doctor tells him today he can practice, and he can get his equipment worked out, we think he'll be ready to play very soon," Holland said."
Road-weary Red Wings are happy to return home
February 8
Detroit News
 
"Johan Franzen pretty much echoed what everyone around was thinking after Monday's loss in Phoenix. The game capped a long road stretch since early December. "I miss my family," Franzen said. "It's going to be nice to spend time at home." The Red Wings have plenty of home time beginning tonight against the Oilers. They are home for 18 of their final 28 games. And, they return to Joe Louis Arena having won 17 consecutive. "We're comfortable at home and we're enjoying playing in front of our fans," Franzen said. "Hopefully we can keep it going and have a good run here.""
Red Wings falter on offense, finish trip with loss to Coyotes
February 7
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings are finally coming home, but they'll do so in a lousy mood. They ended a five-game trip and two-month stretch of being mostly away from Joe Louis Arena Monday with a 3-1 loss in Phoenix. The Wings were 2-1-1 during this post All-Star Game four-game trip. But since Dec. 2, they've been on the road for 21 of 31 games, going 10-10-1 away from Joe Louis Arena. Now, 18 of their final 28 games are at home, at the friendly surroundings of JLA, where they've won 17 consecutive games. It sets up nicely for the Wings."
Drew Miller refines goal-scoring touch for Red Wings
February 7
Detroit News
 
"It's getting to the point where Drew Miller is going to graduate from being a "grinder" to a "scorer." That's what goals in three consecutive games does, especially when it leads to tying a career high (10) with just under 30 games remaining. Just don't tell Miller's linemates about his newfound touch. The streak, though came to an end Monday in the 3-1 loss to Phoenix. "We're going to keep him down here and keep grinding," linemate Darren Helm said before Monday's game against the Coyotes. "We don't need his head that big. He's already chirping and letting everyone know he has 10 goals.""
Todd Bertuzzi weary but willing on Red Wings' four-game road trip
February 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Todd Bertuzzi provided the latest demonstration of why the Red Wings love their veterans, scoring a pair of goals that very nearly secured a rally. Bertuzzi's output Saturday night at Edmonton enabled the Wings to reach five of a possible six points as they wrap up this four-game trip tonight at Phoenix, ending an exhausting two months of travel. Bertuzzi, who turned 37 on Thursday, also had two goals Jan. 14 against the Blackhawks. He has shown the will the Wings especially see veterans display when needed, playing through pain to help the team come back from a two-goal deficit to lead, 4-3, against the Oilers. The Wings wound up dropping the game, 5-4, in a shoot-out; Bertuzzi was the"
Red Wings' backup goalie job is up for grabs
February 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Ty Conklin needed to show the Red Wings he could come through for them Saturday night -- and didn't. That cast further doubt on the backup goaltending situation as the trade deadline approaches in three weeks. With Jimmy Howard sidelined by a fracture in his right index finger, the Wings looked to Conklin to handle duties against the Oilers. When he stumbled -- and minor-leaguer Joey MacDonald stood tall -- Babcock made clear Detroit's backup job is up for grabs. "Oh, absolutely," he said. "Someone's got to win games. We've got to win games." The Wings could pursue the Islanders' Evgeni Nabokov -- they signed him last year at this time only to lose him on entry waivers -- but the price"
Notebook: Red Wings looking to fill the hole in goal
February 6
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings' backup goaltending position is up for grabs. Jimmy Howard is obviously the starter, or will be again after he recovers from a broken right index finger that'll keep him out for the next couple weeks. Ty Conklin or Joey MacDonald could lay claim to the back-up job, unless general manager Ken Holland decides to find a reinforcement before the Feb. 27 trade deadline. "Absolutely," said coach Mike Babcock of whether the competition is wide open after Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss in Edmonton. "Somebody has to win games. We have to win games.""
Fingers crossed, Jimmy Howard hopeful he'll return to Red Wings' net soon
February 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Jimmy Howard was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday morning, laughing and lamenting how hard it is to tie his shoes at the moment. He has a fractured right index finger, which has left that digit bandaged and immobile. While the injury will take four to six weeks to heal, Howard estimated he'd only miss two weeks. Howard was injured Thursday night at Vancouver, and Friday, the team announced he'd miss the rest of the trip -- Saturday's game at Edmonton, and Monday's at Phoenix. Surgery was deemed unnecessary by the doctors Howard saw in Vancouver, and the team is hopeful for good news when Howard is re-evaluated after the Wings return to Detroit on Tuesday. "We just have to come"
Ken Holland checking trade market but Red Wings in good shape as deadline looms
February 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"As the NHL trade deadline approaches in three weeks, the Red Wings look to the market as buyers, not sellers. And buyers who don't need to buy, at that. That means they won't move anyone about to become an unrestricted free agent, most especially defenseman Brad Stuart. General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press he likes where his team is at, and if nothing sensible materializes between now and Feb. 27, the Wings will confidently enter the playoffs with a team that two-thirds of the way through the season tops the league in victories and points. "We're trying to compete for the Stanley Cup, and given the way our team has played, we think we look like a playoff team," Holland said. "I"
Jimmy Howard's absence will be longer than previously thought
February 5
Detroit News
 
"The prognosis on how long goaltender Jimmy Howard will be out has changed — gotten longer, that is, rather than shorter. Howard, who has a broken right index finger, acknowledges the first report of only missing the last two games on this Red Wings road trip was "optimistic." So, now, Howard is thinking it's going to be weeks. Let's say somewhere between two games and four-to-six weeks — maybe two weeks. But even Howard isn't sure if that's accurate. "Let's cover all the bases," Howard said after Saturday's morning skate. Howard said Vancouver doctors, after Thursday's game, told him the finger would take four-to-six weeks to heal. "No chance," said Howard of that time frame, saying he's"
Red Wings scramble in third period, salvage a point in Edmonton
February 5
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings finally lost a shoot-out. Edmonton defeated the Wings 5-4 in the extra session Saturday, the Wings' first loss in shoot-outs in seven games (6-1). The Oilers defeated the Wings 2-1 in the shoot-out, which went six rounds. Todd Bertuzzi scored the lone shoot-out goal for the Wings, after scoring twice in the third period. Sam Gagner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored for Edmonton in the shoot-out. "It didn't look good in the first period, so we'll take the one point," said Todd Bertuzzi, who scored two third-period goals to spark a Wings rally."
Jimmy Howard out 2 games with broken finger
February 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Instead of joining his Detroit Red Wings teammates for a broom ball tournament today, goalie Jimmy Howard played referee -- the consequence of a broken right index finger. Howard is out at least the next two games -- Saturday at Edmonton and Monday at Phoenix -- after getting hurt during Thursday's 4-3 shoot-out victory at the Vancouver Canucks. "I happened about four minutes into the third last night," Howard said today. "Went blocker down, took everything away down low, and when (Maxim) Lapierre spun and shot it, it missed my blocker and caught me right on the finger." Howard is to be re-evaluated Tuesday, after the Wings return to Detroit. "Go home and see our doctors there, get their"
Jimmy Howard's broken finger gives Ty Conklin chance in Red Wings' net
February 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Jimmy Howard, the Red Wings' All-Star goaltender and all-around rock this season, spent Friday officiating a broom ball tournament among teammates. A broken right index finger will sideline Howard the rest of this trip -- tonight's game in Edmonton and Monday's game in Phoenix. Todd Bertuzzi is questionable for tonight; the left wing suffered a charley horse courtesy of Keith Ballard during Thursday's 4-3 shoot-out victory at Vancouver. Howard was hurt Thursday when he was hit by a shot from Maxim Lapierre. He will be reevaluated when the team returns to Detroit, but the injury isn't considered serious. Howard already was planning a comeback as he loitered around Rexall Place. "I've played"
Wings goalie Jimmy Howard has broken finger, will miss two games
February 4
Detroit News
 
"Jimmy Howard went from goaltending to refereeing a broomball tournament Friday. And while Howard will lose his whistle, he won't be in net anytime soon. He can thank a broken right index finger for that, suffered Thursday during the Red Wings' 4-3 shootout victory over the Canucks. He will miss the final two games on the four-game trip — tonight in Edmonton and Monday in Phoenix — and will be re-evaluated when the team returns to Detroit on Tuesday. "I went blocker down to take away everything down low and (Vancouver center Max) Lapierre spun around and shot it," Howard said. "It missed my blocker and caught me in the finger." Howard is optimistic the injury won't keep him out long. He"
Detroit's Jimmy Howard out two games with broken finger
February 3
NHL.com
 
"The Detroit Red Wings announced Friday that goaltender Jimmy Howard will miss the team's next two games because of a broken finger. Howard, an All-Star this year who leads the NHL with 32 victories, broke a finger on his right hand during Detroit's 4-3 win in Vancouver on Thursday night. The Red Wings said he will be re-evaluated Tuesday when the team returns to Detroit following its four-game road trip."
Canucks get 'schooled' in 4-3 shootout loss to Red Wings
February 3
Vancouver Province
 
"Roberto Luongo had stressed that statement games were in the rear-view mirror. He was right. Sort of. With victories over San Jose, Boston and Chicago last month, the Vancouver Canucks beat the elite to prove a point but needed to make another kind of statement Thursday at Rogers Arena. They needed to not only match the work ethic and skill level of the top-ranked Detroit Red Wings, they had to do it without winger Chris Higgins."
Red Wings clip Canucks in shootout
February 3
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings' dominance in shootouts continues. They improved to 6-0 in shootouts this season, beating Vancouver, 4-3, on Thursday night. The Wings (35-16-1, 71 points) won the shootout, 2-0, with Pavel Datsyuk and Jiri Hudler scoring. Goaltender Jimmy Howard stopped Vancouver's Alex Edler and Mason Raymond, earning his league-leading 32nd victory (32-11-1). Those six extra points the Wings have earned already in shootouts could prove mighty important at the end of the season in terms of playoff positioning and home ice advantage."
Wings' Danny Cleary to undergo cyst procedure after trip ends
February 3
Detroit News
 
"Danny Cleary looked exhausted, as if contemplating how to get up from the stool near his locker. But sore left leg and all, Cleary had a slight smile on his face after the Red Wings' 4-3 shootout victory Thursday over Vancouver, a game in which he scored a goal and assisted on another. "It was a big game for us against a top team on the road," said Cleary, who played 16 minutes, 33 seconds. "A good team game for sure." And how's the leg, Danny? "It's a little sore, it got sore as the game went on, but to be honest with you it's easier skating than walking," said Cleary, who added playfully to the reporters around him, "but it's OK, thanks for asking.""
Canucks hope to be in tune with Red Wings
February 2
Vancouver Sun
 
"Chris Higgins has seen the other side and played on his share of lousy teams. He missed the playoffs with Montreal in 2006-07 and with Calgary two seasons ago. Before his trade to the Vancouver Canucks last Feb. 28, he was on a Florida Panther side going nowhere but to the golf course. So you can imagine how enjoyable it is for him to be part of a group that keeps on winning despite some serious lapses in performance. Like on Tuesday, when the Canucks were nearly run out of Rogers Arena in the second period by the Chicago Blackhawks, yet managed to prevail 3-2 in overtime. "I've played on teams before where we've had some great stretches of hockey but didn't have a winning record," Higgins"
Canucks to start Roberto Luongo in Red Wings showdown
February 2
Vancouver Sun
 
"After nine days between games, Roberto Luongo will return to the Vancouver Canuck nets Thursday night when his team faces the first overall Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena (7 p.m., Sportsnet Pacific, Team 1040). Luongo was in a ball cap Tuesday when backup Cory Schneider turned in a sublime 37-save performance against the Chicago Blackhawks. Prior to that, the Canucks were off for five days during their all-star break. Luongo beat the Wings 4-2 on Dec. 21, stopping 38 of 40 shots. "They have world-class players," Luongo said, describing the Red Wings lineup. "They're very well-coached, they know what it takes to win and they're very disciplined. If we want to have a chance to win, we"
Detroit coach Babcock respects Canucks, Sedins
February 2
Vancouver Province
 
"Like most NHL coaches who grew up in Canada and are working in the U.S., Mike Babcock enjoys the give-and-take with reporters when the Red Wings visit Canadian cities. After going through a workout with a Detroit trainer that would have left one of his players huffing and puffing, the 48-year-old Saskatoon native held court with reporters on Wednesday. "I really like their top four D. Most people see Hamhuis and Bieksa as their No. 1 pair, but Edler and Salo, for me, are outstanding players. "They've got their guys everyone talks about, but Hodgson was a top-10 draft pick, Canadian Hockey player of the year, he's a real hockey player to me."
Wings' Niklas Kronwall a marked man in Canucks' eyes
February 2
Detroit News
 
"You have to believe the Canucks will take notice of where Niklas Kronwall is tonight. The last time the teams played, Ryan Kesler was tagged with a Kronwall hit that aggravated the Canucks forward. Kesler (Livonia) went after Kronwall, who refused to accept Kesler's challenge, irritating Kesler further. Kesler joined a growing line of opponents who believe Kronwall is reckless, something Ducks forward Teemu Selanne suggested in the past after being leveled by Kronwall. "Obviously you have to keep your head up when he's on the ice," Kesler said Wednesday. "(But) that was last game. This is a new game.""
Flames fail to spark offence in 3-1 loss to Red Wings
February 1
Calgary Herald
 
"The Calgary Flames must be praying that this is merely a quirk. Not a trend. In their past two home dates, they've scored exactly one time. Total. It may not surprise you then to learn that both games ended up as losses, regulation losses, point-free losses. And for a squad awfully desperate for some upward mobility in the Western Conference, this comes as bad news indeed. But the post-game faces were brave. "We're not worried with the guys we have in here," said Alex Tanguay after Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in National Hockey League action at the Scotiabank Saddledome. "We're going to find ways to win games. At this point of the year, it's not whether we win 7-6 or 1-0 —"
Commodore wings into action as game progresses
February 1
Calgary Herald
 
"An older, wiser Mike Commodore stayed home in Detroit last week to rest the body for what he hopes is a marathon playoff run with the league-leading Red Wings. No all-night parties in Las Vegas. No suntanning (or burning) his pale skin on the beaches of South Beach. No whirlwind getaways to Maui."
Mike Commodore has chance to earn sixth defenseman spot
February 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings coach Mike Babcock views these last 30-odd games as a time for one of his candidates to secure a claim on the sixth defenseman spot. The opportunity went to Mike Commodore on Tuesday against Calgary at the Saddledome. Commodore got the nod ahead of Jakub Kindl. Commodore fought Tim Jackman in the first period and blocked a few shots to help the Wings to a 3-1 victory. "Any time a guy steps up for his teammates, you really appreciate that, so that's a positive thing," Babcock said. "We're just looking for someone to grab that job and hang on to it. You don't want to be in or out on a nightly basis.""
Red Wings trip starts well on third-period rally
February 1
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings will face more games like this as they go down the stretch of the regular season. Tough, grinding games, low scoring, and scoring opportunities few and far between. The Wings only hope the outcomes match that of Tuesday's hard-fought 3-1 victory over Calgary, the Wings' first game after the All-Star break. Jiri Hudler and Drew Miller scored third-period goals to give the Wings a satisfying victory. "This is the kind of win we want to get," said Nicklas Lidstrom, who returned after missing the final game before the All-Streak to the flu. "On the road, grinding it out, tie game going into the third period, waiting for opportunities and capitalizing on them""
Tomas Holmstrom has bad reaction to shot, Jan Mursak fills in
February 1
Detroit News
 
"Tomas Holmstrom's quest to play in 1,000 games hit a wall Tuesday. Holmstrom is at 995 after missing Tuesday's game against the Flames with sore knees. Holmstrom had an injection of Synvisc in both knees last week and had a bad reaction. He couldn't skate Monday when the team arrived in Calgary, but was able to skate Tuesday morning and hoped he would play Thursday in Vancouver. "It's a big difference from yesterday," Holmstrom said. "It blows up (after getting shots) but it settles down. (The pain) started to bother me before the break. This was the only window (in the schedule), we had four or five days off (during the break).""
Slumping Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg plans to 'just work hard'
January 31
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg has struggled to score over the first 50 games of the season. He has one goal in his last 19 games and nine for the season. "Of course you wish it would it would go a little bit better," Zetterberg said Monday, as the Wings regrouped from the All-Star break. "Nothing you can do about it. Just work hard and hopefully it will turn around.""
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock speaks volumes quietly
January 31
Detroit News
 columnist John Niyo
"Some nights he wants to scream, sure. What coach doesn't? But there's a reason Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said what he said after his team's 7-2 loss last week to the Canadiens before the All-Star break. "I'm not going to look at the video of this at all," Babcock said after the game. "I'm going to go out and drink, actually, is what I'm going to do." Funny line. Smart, too. Honesty is always the best policy for a coach. And that's especially true for a successful coach like Babcock, whose seven years in Detroit make him the third-longest-tenured bench boss in the NHL, behind only Buffalo's Lindy Ruff and Nashville's Barry Trotz. Because after 632 games with Detroit — including the"
Red Wings eye productive restart
January 31
Detroit News
 
"Nobody looked like they got a ton of sunshine, but they looked refreshed. Four days off from hockey — except for All-Stars Pavel Datsyuk and Jimmy Howard — does that. Now it's full steam ahead for the Red Wings. Job No. 1 is improving upon a less-than-stellar road record (13-14-0), beginning with tonight's game in Calgary, the start of a four-game trip. "Overall, our whole team has to be a better hockey club on the road," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, whose team has the most points in hockey (67) and is 20-2-1 at home. "We can't hide from that.""
Back to the real NHL games
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Chris Stevenson
"The days at the beach, as tweeted by Capitals defenceman Mike Green from the Cayman Islands, are over. The neon tans from Las Vegas will now start to fade. The NHL's feel-good weekend here — a resounding success which revolved around the emotional outpouring between Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Senators fans — now becomes a fond memory. Ahead is a 30-game sausage grinder that is the rest of the NHL season. "You need the break whether you're here or somewhere else doing something different. This is a part of the season the guys really look forward to, just to recharge the battery," said Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. "When you get back from this break, you're re-energized and you"
Pavel Datsyuk stars in 12-9 All-Star victory
January 30
Detroit News
 
"Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk's wish to be the MVP of the NHL All-Star Game will have to wait for at least another year. So will Datsyuk's bid to score his first goal in the league's midseason classic. In three career appearances, Datsyuk has been limited to four assists — including three on Sunday in Team Chara's 12-9 win over Team Alfredsson. Datsyuk, the only Red Wings skater in the game, got his final assist on a pass to former teammate Marian Hossa, whose goal put Team Chara ahead for the last time. Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard started the game for Team Chara and made 11 saves while allowing three goals in the first period. He also stopped a penalty shot by Steven Stamkos."
Chara's stars beat hometown hero Alfredsson
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"On his big day, Daniel Alfredsson surrounded himself with Swedes. But it was a bunch of Slovak buddies, led by New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik, who drove Team Chara to a 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson in front of 20,510 in the 57th NHL all-star game Sunday at Scotiabank Place. While former Senators defenceman Zdeno Chara scored the third-period winner, it was Gaborik, voted the game MVP, who led his club to victory with a hat trick and four-point effort as Team Chara walked away with the bragging rights. "You could see the guys wanted to win," said Chara when asked if he gave his team any instructions with the score tied 6-6 going into the third period. "I didn't have to say a"
Bruins goalie Tim Thomas lights political fire but can't stand heat
January 29
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Drew Sharp
"Tim Thomas took the easy route. The Boston Bruins' goalie and Flint native could have stood tall on his stand of individual rights if he exercised the all-important addendum to those rights -- personal accountability. But instead of accepting criticism for his boycott of the team's official White House celebration of their Stanley Cup championship as a consequence of free political expression, Thomas picked a convenient target. He blamed the media. How clichéd! It probably took him all of 3 seconds to figure out that defensive strategy. "I think it's all media-driven now," Thomas told reporters Friday at NHL All-Star weekend in Ottawa. "It has been from the start. Everything I said then"
Red Wings' ascent amazes critics
January 29
Detroit News
 
"So much for a transition year. The offseason brought a bit more change than usual in the Red Wings dressing room. Chris Osgood, Brian Rafalski and Kris Draper were out. Ian White, Jakub Kindl, Ty Conklin and Mike Commodore were in. The Red Wings are used to observers forecasting the beginning of their decline, as many have — amid no small amount of wishful thinking — for 15 years. But that is not going to happen this season either, as the Red Wings made clear in 50 games before the All-Star break, compiling the best mark in the NHL (33-16-1). Unless their performance in the last 32 varies markedly, the Red Wings are poised to finish the regular season as one of the best teams in the game,"
Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard's all-star nod is perfect acclamation
January 29
Detroit News
 
"James Russell Howard III waited long enough. Not so for James Russell Howard IV, however. The 3-month-old son of Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard already has his passport. He got his first pair of skates when he was born — slightly ahead of schedule, and in a bit of a hurry — in late October. And though he's not big enough to wear them yet, the plan was for father and son to go skating this weekend on the historic Rideau Canal that runs through Ottawa, Ontario. "Oh, yeah," Howard said. "We're going on the canal. I can't wait." Canada's capital city is host to this weekend's NHL All-Star Game. It's also less than an hour's drive from Howard's hometown of Ogdensburg, N.Y. And it's where"
Pavel Datsyuk happy to be No. 1 All-Star pick
January 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"While it might not have surprised his NHL colleagues, being picked first in Thursday night's All-Star draft shocked Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk. "I'm surprised, really surprised," Datsyuk told Red Wings TV. "Of course I'm happy. My legs a bit shaky, but it's ... I'm so happy." Datsyuk got another surprise when he joined team captain Zdeno Chara on stage and was embraced by the hulking Bruins defenseman. "More a big hug than big hit on the ice," Datsyuk told Red Wings TV. So who's the best player at the All-Star Game? Of the 42 All-Star players in attendance, the consensus top pick leans toward Datsyuk. "His talent is probably as good as anybody's," said Chara, the Boston Bruins"
Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard's all-star nod is perfect acclamation
January 28
Detroit News
 columnist John Niyo
"James Russell Howard III waited long enough. Not so for James Russell Howard IV, however. The 3-month-old son of Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard already has his passport. He got his first pair of skates when he was born — slightly ahead of schedule, and in a bit of a hurry — in late October. And though he's not big enough to wear them yet, the plan was for father and son to go skating this weekend on the historic Rideau Canal that runs through Ottawa, Ontario. "Oh, yeah," Howard said. "We're going on the canal. I can't wait." Canada's capital city is host to this weekend's NHL All-Star Game. It's also less than an hour's drive from Howard's hometown of Ogdensburg, N.Y. And it's where"
Red Wings' ascent amazes critics
January 28
Detroit News
 columnist Greg Krupa
"So much for a transition year. The offseason brought a bit more change than usual in the Red Wings dressing room. Chris Osgood, Brian Rafalski and Kris Draper were out. Ian White, Jakub Kindl, Ty Conklin and Mike Commodore were in. The Red Wings are used to observers forecasting the beginning of their decline, as many have — amid no small amount of wishful thinking — for 15 years. But that is not going to happen this season either, as the Red Wings made clear in 50 games before the All-Star break, compiling the best mark in the NHL (33-16-1). Unless their performance in the last 32 varies markedly, the Red Wings are poised to finish the regular season as one of the best teams in the game,"
Jimmy Howard eager to embrace All-Star experience
January 27
Detroit Free Press
 
"Goaltenders tend to get lit up during NHL All-Star Games, the result of facing most of the game's most skilled players. So be it. Jimmy Howard left Thursday for Ottawa well aware of the risk but much more eager to accept the recognition of being named to his first All-Star Game. He and forward Pavel Datsyuk are the only two representatives of the Red Wings, as defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom opted out to rest his 41-year-old body. At 27 and a newbie to the event, Howard didn't hide his glee."
Who will win? Breaking down All-Star teams
January 27
NHL.com
 
"The draft is over, the rosters set for the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. We now know who will be wearing the white jerseys for Team Alfredsson and the blue jerseys to represent Team Chara. Now it's time to take a look at the rosters and break them down by position. Look for our prediction at the end. FORWARDS Datsyuk and Malkin on the same team is a scary proposition for the opposition. They may be the two most skilled players in the NHL right now. As Chara said, you can put them on the same line and they can be unstoppable, or you can put them on separate lines and they'll still be dominant and "make the line." Team Alfredsson has a lot of talent, but it doesn't have two"