Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk expects to play Thursday despite missing practice with sore foot

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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, Nicklas Lidstrom in no hurry to talk contract

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October 25

Michigan Live

"Neither Nicklas Lidstrom nor the Detroit Red Wings feel an urgency to get a new deal done for the captain. General manager Ken Holland said he had not yet approached Lidstrom about his plans for next season and didn't have a time frame on opening contract talks. The Red Wings want him back, but they don't know for sure if Lidstrom, who turns 40 on April 28, will retire or continue to play. "He knows we want him back,'' Holland said. "I'm expecting he's going to play but haven't had that conversation.'' Lidstrom maintains he has not decided if he will play next season and doesn't know when he will make up his mind. He has signed some extensions during the middle of the season and has inked ..."

Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk to sit out Saturday; Chris Osgood will start in goal vs. Colorado

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October 16

Michigan Live

"Update from the Detroit Red Wings' practice Friday: Pavel Datsyuk (upper-body injury) skated and reported improvement, but coach Mike Babcock said he will not play Saturday against Colorado. Datsyuk is listed as day-to-day and probably will return for the following game, Thursday at Phoenix. "I'm skating, shooting much better than yesterday,'' Datsyuk said. He said of Thursday's 5-2 win against the Kings: "It's awesome. Our team played well. I'm happy Nick (Lidstrom) got his 1,000th point. I'm not happy I'm not in picture.'' Babcock said Datsyuk is not far, adding, "We think it's important to buy him a couple of more days.""

Johan Franzen hopes to be healed up for Games

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October 15

Detroit Free Press

"Johan Franzen ambled around the dressing room Wednesday much like it was any other day. Yet instead of suiting up for the Red Wings tonight he'll be getting on a plane and flying to Birmingham, Ala., where on Friday he'll have surgery to repair his badly damaged left knee. Franzen has a torn ACL, an injury that requires at least four months to heal -- often six. He is going to miss the majority of the Wings' season, and will at best be back in early February, right before he ideally would be going off to Vancouver to play for Sweden in the 2010 Winter Games. "I haven't really thought about that yet," Franzen said in his first comments since getting hurt. "It's more the disappointment of ..."

Franzen out at least 4 months with torn ACL

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October 10

Detroit News

"The Red Wings' quest to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third consecutive season took a huge hit Friday. Johan Franzen, who scored the winning goal in Thursday night's 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, will miss at least four months because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. "It happened last night, I don't know exactly when," general manager Ken Holland said. "It happened before he scored the goal and he played the rest of the game with it." After practice Friday morning, coach Mike Babcock said Franzen, 29, had gotten bumped in the game and wasn't feeling great so he went for tests, which revealed the ACL tear. Holland said the team would call ..."

Former Blackhawk Chris Chelios will skate with Chicago Wolves

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October 9

Chicago Tribune

"The news that former Blackhawks defenseman Chris Chelios may be continuing his hockey career as a member of the Wolves didn't come as a shock to his most recent teammates. Chelios, who played 28 games with the Red Wings last season but wasn't offered a new contract for 2009-10, will skate with the Wolves on Monday and could sign with the American Hockey League team next week when it returns from a Canadian road trip, a team spokesman said Thursday. The 47-year-old Chicago native, who played nine seasons with the Hawks during the 1990s, has expressed a desire to keep playing in the NHL. "I've talked to Cheli about it," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I think that's a good move for him. If ..."

Brad May gets tryout with Wings, but is long shot to stick

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September 25

Detroit News

"Coach Mike Babcock got his man. Four years too late, perhaps, and maybe he won't have him for long, but he's got him nevertheless. The Red Wings have extended a professional tryout to veteran bruiser Brad May, who skated with the team Thursday and will be in the lineup tonight against the Maple Leafs. "Yeah I pushed for him a long time ago and I never got him," Babcock said. "He used to thank me when we played against him. He'd say, 'Thanks for trying to get me signed.'" The odds of May making the club are remote. It is possible he could be signed to a two-way contract and start the season in Grand Rapids. "I know he provides a physical presence and I don't feel we have much of that," ..."

Red Wings sign 2009 draft pick Tomas Tatar

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September 18

Michigan Live

"The Red Wings have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with forward Tomas Tatar, their second pick in this year's entry draft. Tatar, 18, had a terrific prospects tournament and training camp and will continue to practice with the team, likely getting into a preseason game or two, before the Red Wings decide where to put him this season. Tatar (5-11, 176) hopes to play in Grand Rapids (AHL), and he might start the season there. But if he's not ready for pro hockey, he will be assigned to the OHL's Plymouth Whalers. "I think the better decision for me is Grand Rapids because I played one year on the men's team in Slovakia,'' Tatar said. "I think I'm ready.'' Tatar said he needs to ..."

Zetterberg likely out for Wings' next two games

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September 18

Detroit News

"Red Wings fans will probably have to wait a few more days to see Henrik Zetterberg play. Zetterberg, bothered by a sore groin, won't play Friday night against the Rangers and is not likely to play Saturday night against the Sabres, either. Both games are at Joe Louis Arena. "It got a little tight this morning, so I'm staying off (the ice) tonight," Zetterberg said Friday."

Tomas Tatar, 18, signs three-year deal with Red Wings

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September 18

Detroit News

"Forward Tomas Tatar, 18, taken by the Red Wings in the second round of the 2009 NHL draft, signed a three-year contract with the team on Friday. "We want him to play in North America," Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "He had an out in his contract in Slovakia if he signs a contract over here. We think we can do a better job of controlling his development over here. Grand Rapids (AHL) or Plymouth (OHL) are the two options. We're going to give him every opportunity to earn a spot in Grand Rapids." Tatar, who turns 19 on Dec. 1, was taken 60th overall in the draft. Advertisement "I'm very happy," Tatar said. "It's my dream to play in Detroit.""

Andreas Lilja says he's ready; Wings will be cautious

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September 10

Detroit News

"The Red Wings are encouraged that defenseman Andreas Lilja is skating and feeling optimistic about resuming his career, which was suspended on Feb. 28 after taking a pummeling from Nashville's Shea Weber that left him concussed and suffering from headaches since. But general manager Ken Holland warned that Lilja's return is far from imminent. "There is a big difference between skating and practicing and playing in an NHL game," Holland said. "He's got to get cleared and I assume the doctors are going to want to know that he's symptom-free for a period of time before they clear him." Lilja told reporters in Detroit Tuesday, "I have to sit down and talk with doctors still, but my thinking ..."

Predators coach expresses interest in Chris Chelios

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August 28

Detroit News

"Ageless former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios may not have to go to Russia to continue his hockey career. The 47-year-old has been approached by the Nashville Predators. Predators coach Barry Trotz told the Nashville Tennessean, "I said, 'Chris, are you sure you'd have the interest of playing in Nashville, because you're not exactly well-liked here?' He said, 'Trotzy, trust me, I'm not well-liked anywhere.' I said 'Yeah, I guess you're right.' " Chelios had been in discussions with teams in the Russian KHL league."

Report: Bertuzzi interests Wings

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August 18

Detroit News

"The Red Wings reportedly in negotiations with free agent Todd Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi played with the Wings in 2006-7 scoring two goals and two assists in eight regular-season appearances and three goals and four assists in the playoffs. According to reports, general manager Ken Holland is working on a deal to bring back Bertuzzi, who played with Calgary last season. Bertuzzi had 15 goals and 29 assists with the Flames."

Wings senior VP 'hopeful' of signing Bertuzzi

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August 18

Detroit Free Press

"Speculation started swirling over the weekend that Todd Bertuzzi will soon be a Red Wing. The basis for the chatter? Jimmy Devellano, Wings senior vice president, was on the radio Friday night with Roger Lajoie of The Fan 590 in Toronto and said he believed the team was close to signing Bertuzzi, an unrestricted free agent. Bertuzzi, 34, finished the 2006-07 season with the Wings. Message boards picked up on it, and now audio from the interview is available on the Fan 590 Web site. In the chat with Lajoie and some callers, Devellano said: "I'm hopeful that sometime next week ... he may be signed to a one-year contract." He said the Wings were looking to sign players with NHL experience. ..."

Wings' Jiri Hudler gets $5.75M in arbitration, but still going to Russia

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August 3

Detroit Free Press

"Detroit Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler was given a two-year, $5.75-million award in NHL arbitration during the weekend. But it doesn't change his plans to leave Detroit and play next season in Russia. "Obviously, he's going to Russia because it's an opportunity for a financial windfall," said Wings general manager Ken Holland. "But, right now, his plans are to come back and play in the NHL and come back and play for the Red Wings." While the Wings aren't happy to be losing the 25-year-old, they're happy with the award and will leave the door open for Hudler to return whenever he wants. He will make $2.75 million in the first year of his NHL contract and $3 million in the second year. In ..."

Nicklas Lidstrom not looking to retire

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August 1

Detroit Free Press

"As long as he's healthy and still motivated, Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom plans to continue playing past next season. And fans don't have to worry about him pulling a Jiri Hudler. Lidstrom told the Swedish newspaper Afonbladet that an elbow injury that flared up periodically throughout the season is still bothering him, but he's feeling better. Lidstrom was speared in the testicles by Patrick Sharp in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. "I had pain in several places during the finals," Lidstrom said. "Right now, I feel good, but (the) elbow injury has not healed yet." Asked if a Swedish team could entice him to play in his home country after next season, Lidstrom said: "Right now, ..."

Arbitrator will hear Jiri Hudler vs. Wings case July 30

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July 22

Detroit News

"Jiri Hudler and the Red Wings are going to arbitration. Wings general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday the two sides will go before an arbitrator July 30 to determine Hudler's salary and when -- or if -- Hudler plays in the NHL again. Hudler has a standing two-year, $10 million tax-free offer to play with Moscow Dynamo in the Kontinental Hockey League. Hudler can join the Russian team regardless of what happens during next week's arbitration hearing. But the head of the KHL said last week the league might not register Hudler's contract, but whether the KHL would follow through on that remains to be seen."

Jiri Hudler's future remains murky

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July 17

Detroit News

"Jiri Hudler's immediate future with the Red Wings could depend on his salary arbitration hearing. Alexander Medvedev, president of the Kontinental Hockey League, told The New York Times on Thursday his league will abide by an NHL arbitrator's decision regarding Hudler's status with the Wings. Hudler signed a two-year deal last week with the KHL's Moscow Dynamo worth $10 million. The Wings and Hudler, a restricted free agent, are scheduled to go to arbitration July 31. Should the arbitrator rule in favor of the Wings, Medvedev's comment indicates the KHL wouldn't register Hudler's contract and Hudler would remain Wings property. If the arbitrator rules for Hudler, the Wings could walk ..."

Wings' Hudler signs with KHL's Moscow; is it a ploy?

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July 8

Detroit Free Press

"There's a report out there that Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler has signed a one-year deal for at least $2 million with Moscow Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League, which is a considerable amount given that it'd be tax free. Hudler, 25, stands to make more than $2 million by staying with the Wings, who have offered him a long-term deal in the $2.5 million range. Hudler made $1.15 million this past season, during which he posted career highs with 23 goals and 57 points. He didn't have a great playoffs, however, scoring no goals and contributing just four assists after the second round. Hudler just filed for arbitration this past weekend, and he's repeatedly said this past season that he ..."

Red Wings' Jiri Hudler files for arbitration

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July 6

Detroit News

"Jiri Hudler was one of 20 players Sunday who filed for salary arbitration on Sunday. Hudler and the Red Wings will continue to negotiate a contract in hopes of getting a deal done before arbitration hearings take place July 20-Aug. 4. By filing for arbitration Hudler can't receive an offer sheet from another team. Hudler earned $1.15 million last season while posting career-highs of 23 goals and 34 assists. He could be in line to double his salary."

Marian Hossa leaves Wings for Blackhawks

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July 1

Detroit News

"Marian Hossa just added more fire to the Red Wings' rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks. Hossa, who became a free agent after one year in Detroit, signed with the Blackhawks on Wednesday. The deal is for 12 years at an average of about $5.2 million a season, Canadian sports network TSN reported. The total value of the contract is $62.8 million, with the majority of it -- $59.3 million -- paid out over the first eight years, according to the report. The Wings were offering a package of roughly $35 to $40 million. The Blackhawks doubled-up on Detroit free agents Wednesday, signing winger Tomas Kopecky to a two-year deal. Kopecky played in 79 games in 2008-09, with six goals and 13 ..."

Wings' offer might not be enough for Marian Hossa

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July 1

Detroit News

"As NHL free agency moved toward Wednesday's noon start, it appeared Marian Hossa of the Red Wings was ready to shop around. Hossa and agent Ritch Winter turned down an offer from the Wings for at least eight years at $4 per season. On the free-agent market, Hossa is expected to get offers significantly higher -- perhaps worth $15 million to $20 million more over the life of the contract -- due to the Wings' salary cap restrictions."

Marian Hossa appears ready to test free-agent market

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July 1

Detroit News

"NHL free agency begins Wednesday and Marian Hossa looks likes he's going to be part of it. General manager Ken Holland and Hossa's agent Ritch Winter talked again Tuesday but came to no agreement. Hossa looks like he'll test free agency. "It certainly appears that way," Holland said. "As I've said all along, we only have so much cap room. We have players that I'm not interested in losing." Winter wasn't available for comment. Holland also said he'll talk again with the representative for Mikael Samuelsson Wednesday morning in an effort to retain Samuelsson, who is an unrestricted free agent. Tomas Kopecky, the Wings other unrestricted free agent, will test the market and likely won't ..."

Wings, Marian Hossa still talking

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June 30

Detroit News

"There's not much time left for the Red Wings. NHL free agency begins Wednesday, and the Wings continue working on finding a way to keep potential free agent Marian Hossa in the fold. The Wings and Hossa continued talks Monday, with the Wednesday deadline looming for both sides. It doesn't look promising. With the salary cap at $56.8 million -- and the Wings already committed to nearly $53 million for 19 players -- there isn't much room for Hossa. "We only have so much cap space left," Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "We can get creative in term, but at the end of the day, we only have so much left." The Wings are hopeful Hossa will accept a long-term contract with a lower ..."

Heatley gives Sens wishlist

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June 24

Ottawa Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million (all terms US) bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators GM Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wishlist of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents J.P. Barry and Stacey ..."

Heatley gives Senators wish list of destinations

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June 23

Toronto Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Ottawa Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million US bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators general manager Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wish list of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents, J.P. Barry ..."

Talks slated soon regarding Chelios' future with team

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June 22

Detroit Free Press

"Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios is slated to meet with general manager Ken Holland in the next few days to talk about his future. Chelios, the league's oldest active player at 47, didn't talk to reporters after the annual team photo last week. He had declined to talk about his future during the playoffs, but made it known he wanted to continue to play. Holland said he had a good talk with Chelios when they were on the same flight to Las Vegas last week to attend the NHL awards. Chelios was among the players attending a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Saturday in Vegas, but did not return calls from the Free Press seeking comment. Although he has been critical of Bettman in ..."

Wings' Chris Chelios to join U.S. Olympic effort

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June 21

Detroit News

"Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios will be part of the U.S. Olympic hockey in 2010 at Vancouver next February, according to a report, though it's not clear what his role will be. Chelios told ESPN.com on Saturday that he's been asked by team general manager Brian Burke to assist in an off-ice role. Burke, also GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, told ESPN.com there are a number of great players who've played a significant role in U.S. hockey, "but the greatest warrior of all was (Chelios)." Said Burke: "We haven't refined his role. All I know is, I want him involved." It is probably unlikely that Chelios, 47, would be a full-time assistant to coach Ron Wilson. "I haven't fleshed it out yet," ..."

Wings' Hossa wants to have a long-term deal

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June 16

Detroit News

"When Marian Hossa came to Detroit, he had Monday playing out a little different. Hossa turned down more lucrative, multiyear contracts -- including with Pittsburgh -- to sign a one-year deal with Detroit. In doing so, Hossa, a forward, envisioned Monday he'd be riding down Woodward Avenue atop a convertible to thousands of Detroiters screaming his name after a Stanley Cup title run. Instead, Hossa and the other Wings were left cleaning out their lockers and wondering what went wrong. Now, for Hossa, it also might mark the last time he puts on a Wings jersey. Hossa, a free agent to be, made it clear Monday he would not sign another one-year contract like the $7.45 million deal he signed ..."

Hossa seeks long-term deal

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June 15

Detroit News

"Red Wings free-agent forward Marian Hossa is looking for a long-term deal. Hossa turned down more lucrative multi-year contracts with other teams to sign a one-year deal with the Wings last season in hopes of winning a Stanley Cup. That didn't go according to plan and now Hossa's looking to cash in on a long-term deal he spurned last year. Whether that's with Detroit -- or another team -- is yet to be determined."

Wings' Cleary missing from Monday's practice

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June 8

Detroit Free Press

"Update from Joe Louis Arena today: Dan Cleary isn't part of practice, as he's recovering from an injury. Cleary didn't skate Saturday morning, either, and told me it was because of an injury suffered last Thursday in Game 4. Cleary still played that night though (and scored the game-winning goal) and I'm betting nothing short of having a foot cut off will keep Cleary out of tomorrow's Game 6. The Wings lead 3-2 against Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup finals."

Wings center Datsyuk's role is uncertain

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June 6

Detroit News

"Red Wings star center Pavel Datsyuk is expected to make his 2009 Stanley Cup Finals debut tonight in Game 5 at Joe Louis Arena. And his return couldn't come soon enough for the Wings. After winning the first two games of the best-of-seven series, the Red Wings lost the next two in Pittsburgh, evening the series and perhaps tilting momentum in the Penguins' favor. Datsyuk suffered a foot injury during the Western Conference finals against the Chicago Blackhawks and missed the final three games of that series. He participated in pregame warmups for Game 4, but didn't play. Wings coach Mike Babcock said Datsyuk will play in the pivotal Game 5, but questions how effective he will be. "Prior ..."

Pavel Datysuk 'close' to return

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June 5

Detroit Free Press

"Pavel Datsyuk walked out of Mellon Arena without a limp Thursday night, after having spent a good 90 minutes practicing in the morning. The Wings are confident he is days from returning and might play as soon as Game 5. "He's close," general manager Ken Holland said. "We'll hope for Saturday." The 4-2 loss in Game 4 was the seventh straight game Datsyuk missed because of a sore foot, but he said after a long morning skate that he was feeling "more better," and that his foot is fine. As soon as he gets clearance to play, he will. "Pav's close," Chris Osgood said, "but I don't think Pav's going to come back like a knight in shining armor and save us. I mean, we've got to do it ourselves." ..."

Datsyuk says he's better, still game-time decision

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June 4

Detroit Free Press

"Pavel Datsyuk stayed out for a good 90 minutes during the morning skate, and his availability basically comes down to how he feels tonight. "I feel much better," he said around 1 p.m. Thursday. "I think I go during pre-game skate and make decision for sure. But it's more better." Datsyuk hasn't played since hurting his foot blocking a shot in Game 2 against Chicago. As for conspiracy theorists who've been speculating Datsyuk's injury is something other than his foot, Datsyuk had a great reply when asked if he had another injury. "Yeah," he said. "I no score for like 12 games. Is problem." Mike Babcock had this to say about Datsyuk's availability: "I wouldn't assume anything. Pavel already ..."

Kris Draper will play; Pavel Datsyuk might return

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June 4

Detroit News

"Red Wings coach Mike Babcock didn't want to mess with a winning lineup. So even when one of his alternate captains, Kris Draper, declared himself ready to return from a groin injury a couple days ago, Babcock stuck with Justin Abdelkader and Ville Leino, players who had spent most of the season in the minor leagues. One loss, however, changes everything. Not only could Pavel Datsyuk ("game-time decision") be back tonight for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Draper will be back. Babcock confirmed the change after Wednesday's practice. "(Draper) knows, when it's not broke, don't fix it," Babcock said. "Even when he came to talk to me and let me know he's ..."

Wings deny having a deal in place with Hossa

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June 3

Detroit Free Press

"While odds are that forward Marian Hossa will remain with the Red Wings next season, the team does not have an agreement in place with the potential unrestricted free agent. "We have no contract with Hossa; all contract negotiation has been put off for the playoffs," senior vice president Jim Devellano said today. "There were no pre-promises prior to the playoffs, and there hasn't been a contract agreed to or signed. The negotiations were upbeat and on a friendly basis, and we'll re-look at them when the playoffs end." Regarding a Sports Illustrated report today that Hossa "likely" would sign a seven-year deal, Devellano reiterated that the sides do not have a deal in place -- not in ..."

Mikael Samuelsson might not play for Red Wings tonight

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June 2

Detroit News

"Red Wings forward Mikael Samuelsson missed the morning skate for an undisclosed reason and is questionable for Tuesday night's Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals. "We'll see what happens," coach Mike Babcock said."

Datsyuk unlikely, Samuelsson iffy for Wings-Pens Game 3

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June 2

Detroit Free Press

"The Wings don't expect to have Pavel Datsyuk available tonight, and Mikael Samuelsson will be a game-time decision. Samuelsson has an undisclosed injury. "Don't know if he'll play tonight," Mike Babcock said when asked if Kris Draper will re-enter the lineup. "It will be based on Samuelsson. Samuelsson didn't take the morning skate, so we'll see what happens there." As for Datsyuk (sore foot from blocked shot), it seems there's good news. "I guess he had his best overnight experience that he's had," Babcock said. "And he seemed to have a big turn around. So he was real optimistic here today. I don't assume that affects today's game whatsoever, but it could really affect the following ..."

Holland expects Lidstrom to play

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May 29

Detroit Free Press

"Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he spoke to Nicklas Lidstrom on Thursday and expects him to be ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. The Wings host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 8 p.m. Saturday in Joe Louis Arena. Lidstrom had missed Games 4 and 5 against the Chicago Blackhawks due to a lower-body injury. Although the team had Thursday off, a few players came down to the Joe for treatment. Holland said Pavel Datsyuk (foot), who missed Games 3-5 against Chicago, and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, who missed Game 5 after having surgery for acute appendicitis on Wednesday, will be game-time decisions. "Pavel skated today, he's going to skate tomorrow," Holland said Thursday. ..."

Lidstrom, Datsyuk iffy in Game 5

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May 26

Detroit Free Press

"Neither Nicklas Lidstrom nor Pavel Datsyuk practiced Tuesday, and Mike Babcock said their availability for Game 5 will depend on how they feel after tomorrow's morning skate. Lidstrom missed the first playoff game of his career Sunday because of a lower-body injury suffered in Game 3. Datsyuk hasn't played since taking a shot to his foot in Game 2, but he was finally able to get his foot into his boot today and skated by himself for about 20 minutes. Kris Draper also didn't practice, but that was expected as he's already been ruled out for tomorrow because of a pulled groin incurred late in Game 3."

Wings' Nick Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk could play in Game 5; Kris Draper won't

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May 26

Detroit News

"They won't be at full strength, but the Red Wings appear to be getting close. Coach Mike Babcock said Monday he'd like to get Pavel Datsyuk (foot) and Nicklas Lidstrom (lower body) back for Wednesday's Game 5. "I'm hopeful to see Pav and Nick very shortly here," said Babcock, of the two Wings stars who missed Game 4. "(Kris) Draper and Lidstrom are day to day. I don't have to worry about it today. We don't practice or play. So, you know, for a couple more days." Babcock did rule out Draper (groin) for Game 5. "Draper won't be playing," Babcock said. The Wings have an opportunity to close out the Blackhawks and defend their Stanley Cup championship with a victory Wednesday."

Datsyuk a 'game-time' decision

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May 22

Detroit News

"Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk will be a "game-time decision" for tonight's game against the Chicago Blackhawks, coach Mike Babcock said. Datsyuk, hit in a foot by a puck in Tuesday's game, did not participate in the team's optional morning skate at the United Center."

Roenick: Wings coach Babcock dislikes Chelios

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May 22

Detroit News

"Jeremy Roenick is one of the more quotable players in the NHL, and he certainly had some things to say Thursday. Appearing on "The Monsters in the Morning" on Comcast Sportsnet, Roenick said there's tension between Chris Chelios and Wings coach Mike Babcock. "The coach just doesn't like him for some ungodly known reason," said Roenick, who plays for the San Jose Sharks and was Chelios' teammate with Blackhawks and U.S. national teams. "He's (Babcock) got a grudge against American players. But he does not like Cheli at all. There is an underlying, I don't know if it's a hatred, because hate is a strong word, but there is some underlying issue there that I don't understand. "You know ..."

Injured thigh keeps Datsyuk out of practice

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May 21

NHL.com

"Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk sat out the team's practice Thursday at Joe Louis Arena, leaving his status for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks in doubt. Datsyuk was struck in the thigh by a shot in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2. Jiri Hudler skated Thursday in Datsyuk's place between Tomas Holmstrom and Marian Hossa. The Wings' second line of Henrik Zetterberg-Johan Franzen and Dan Cleary remained intact, but a new-look third line featured Kris Draper and two players who haven't seen the ice in the series -- Kirk Maltby and Ville Leino."

Draper's injury keeps everyone guessing

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May 1

Detroit Free Press

"'Is it the nose?" "No comment," Kris Draper says. "The neck?" "No comment." "It's above the waist, right?" "Yeah." "The elbow? The lower lip? The upper lip?" "No comment," he says, laughing. It's nice to hear him laugh. He hasn't laughed much lately. About three weeks ago, Draper suffered some freak injury that the Wings will only identify as "upper body." He hasn't played since. "The wrist!" I say. "Is that upper body?" "No comment." Draper isn't used to this. Not the secrecy -- heck, Draper is usually as straightforward as a gym teacher -- and certainly not the injury. Not during the playoffs. Draper and the postseason are like a golden retriever and feeding time, all paws and feet and ..."

Wings nearing long-term agreement with Franzen

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April 3

Detroit Free Press

"The Red Wings appear to be close to signing forward Johan Franzen to a long-term contract. "We're still talking," Franzen said Thursday. "And getting closer, too." Franzen, 29, said he's willing to accept less money to remain with the Wings compared with what he might make as an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Wings also have been negotiating with Marian Hossa on a new contract that would keep him in Detroit. Franzen could perhaps get $5 million-$6 million per season if he hit the open market July 1, and Hossa could command more than $7 million. Asked about negotiations with Franzen, Wings general manager Ken Holland said Thursday: "We've been having dialogue. Probably by not this ..."

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