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Tomas Holmstrom News & Rumors

Red Wings could have a decision to make on Tomas Holmstrom
May 22
Detroit Free Press
 
"Within the next couple of weeks, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland plans to meet with Tomas Holmstrom to discuss his future. If Holmstrom says he's done with professional hockey, well, that's that. If Holmstrom says he wants to play on, the Wings will have some hard thinking to do. Holmstrom is a special, special player to the Wings. He's been with them since 1996, has helped them win four Stanley Cups, has been a huge part of the phenomenal success the franchise has enjoyed since the mid-90s. He's something of a folk hero for the way he didn't let a dearth of skill and speed stop him from living his dream. He's pioneered playing in front of the net. He's aggravated many an opposing"
Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom may want to bring back Tomas Holmstrom
April 26
Detroit Free Press
 
""Are they a pair?" Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wondered as he segued from talking about Nicklas Lidstrom's future to that of Tomas Holmstrom. It has seemed that way for years with Lidstrom and Holmstrom, with their driving to work together and delightful sniping at each other over stealing goals. The hard fact after the Wings' elimination in the first round of the playoffs is that change will happen -- and Holmstrom may be part of it. Speaking Tuesday, the day the Wings cleaned out their lockers at Joe Louis Arena, Holmstrom sounded like a man who suspected his 39-year-old body might not stand up to another summer of training followed by the long regular season. "I love the game, I would"
Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom waits to decide future
April 25
Detroit News
 
"One way or another, Tomas Holmstrom and hockey will be one. He's a hockey dad, with three kids playing the sport. "I'm going to be a rink rat for sure," Holmstrom said Tuesday. But whether Holmstrom will remain a hockey playeris the question. Holmstrom said he'll sit down with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland and coach Mike Babcock to determine if he'll return for another season. "I'll take some time and see where the body is," said Holmstrom, who has battled numerous injuries in recent seasons. The passion still is there. "I love the game and I'd love to play three or four more years; it's still a lot of fun to come to the rink," the 39-year-old forward said. "(It's whether) my body"
Predators' Hornqvist patterns game after Wings' Tomas Holmstrom
April 12
Detroit News
 
"Some young players attempt to pattern their games after slick goal-scorers who make all the highlight shows. Don't count Predators forward Patric Hornqvist in that group. In his fourth season, Hornqvist patterns his game after the Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom. Hornqvist, like Holmstrom, does much of his scoring around the net. "Whenever I see him on television, I watch and see how he's doing it," said Hornqvist, 25. "He's so good in front of the net. I'm always trying to learn. He's real good at it." Predators coach Barry Trotz sees similarities between the Swedish players."
Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom, up for award, a model of perseverance
March 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom broke into delighted laughter. Asked how he has persevered for 15 seasons in the NHL, the 2012 Masterton nominee showed he has gotten by not the least on his sense of humor. "Skating?" he said, dissolving in mirth. "You've got to keep up. If you can't skate, you can't play. No, I don't know. I know I don't have the best skills, but for sure I've been working on it, trying to get better at skating, a better shot, just to get pretty much better all over to stay in the league.""
Wings veteran Tomas Holmstrom sticking with it
March 26
Detroit News
 
"Accomplishment enough for Tomas Holmstrom is having played 1,019 games in the NHL. But those are a hard and rugged 1,019 games in a tough league. Injuries have taken their toll in recent seasons. And even Holmstrom himself will tell you he isn't the most skilled player, which makes his 15-year career that much more incredible. So, Sunday's announcement that Holmstrom, 39, was nominated by the Detroit chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the Masterton Trophy was fitting. The award is given to the player who personifies qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."
Tomas Holmstrom to reach 1,000-game milestone as a Red Wing tonight
February 10
Detroit Free Press
 
"Owner Mike Ilitch knew Tomas Holmstrom was a guy to keep around even before he'd established himself with the Red Wings. Holmstrom will play in his 1,000th career game tonight when the Wings put their 18-game home winning streak on the line against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena. He'll be the 271st player in NHL history to hit the milestone, but only the sixth in a Wings uniform. His accomplishment is a tribute to what hard work and determination can make happen, as Holmstrom was anything but a likely candidate to forge such a long career when he arrived in Detroit in 1996. When then-coach Scotty Bowman didn't use Holmstrom much during the regular season and made him a healthy"
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."
Tomas Holmstrom: Detroit's king of the crease
December 22
Detroit Free Press
 
"After all this time, the two have grown so accustomed to one another they relish their meetings like old friends. Tomas Holmstrom and Roberto Luongo featured as one of the duels-within-a-game Wednesday night between Holmstrom's Red Wings and Luongo's Canucks at Rogers Arena. Holmstrom spun a backhand on net early in third period, one of 38 saves made by Luongo as the Canucks topped the Wings, 4-2."
Holmstrom douses Flames
November 24
Calgary Herald
 
"The Detroit Red Wings scored three power-play goals, two by Tomas Holmstrom, to slip past the Calgary Flames 5-3 Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. The win is Detroit's third straight and seventh in the past nine games. It was a frantic finish to a contest that started slowly. The teams combined for seven shots in the game's first 14 minutes. However, one of those four Detroit shots did get past Calgary goalie Miikka Kiprusoff. Tomas Holmstrom set up shop in front of goal on a Detroit power play and he re-directed Nick Lidstrom's waist-high shot past Kiprusoff at 6: 14. Lidstrom's ninth assist of the season came in his 1,514 career game tying him with Steve Yzerman for appearances in a Wings'"
Wings' Swedish pair still going strong
October 6
Detroit News
 
"It was 15 minutes after a recent practice, during which coach Mike Babcock had the Red Wings skating hard. Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom sat on the stools at their dressing stalls, pulling off their damp skates, pants and pads and saturated practice jerseys. Like the rest of the Red Wings, they were both just a tad winded. "Tommy," Lidstrom said, staring at the floor in front of him, "You ready?" He looked up and across the room to Holmstrom. "Are you ready, old man?" Holmstrom responded. "Anytime you are," Lidstrom said, a half-smile greeting the taunt."
Tomas Holmstrom back where he started -- Red Wings' fourth line
October 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tomas Holmstrom began his Red Wings career a decade and a half ago playing on the fourth line, and now finds himself back there. It's not where he wants to be, but it's where coach Mike Babcock sees Holmstrom fitting in -- Holmstrom's main function will revert back to being a specialty player. That means most of his minutes will come on the power play, where he will provide that relentless net-front presence that's his trademark. "We know what he can do," Babcock said. "He started for a long time, actually until I got here, he always played on the fourth line and then played on the power play, then he got moved into a top-six role. He's played there off and on -- mostly on, off sometimes."
Tomas Holmstrom perfects the art of screening
April 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Back when he was a teenager and still playing in Sweden, Niklas Kronwall kept hearing his coach, Niklas Wikegard, instruct the team's forwards to use one guy as their role model. "He kept telling them to stand in the front of the net like Tomas Holmstrom does," Kronwall said. "That's how he wanted them to play." It's a job for the few and the hardened, one that requires a high tolerance for pain and a higher degree of patience. In nearly a decade and a half for the Red Wings, Holmstrom has made playing in front of opposing nets an art form, one that's helped haul in four Stanley Cups since he played his first playoff game in 1997. Fourteen seasons later, Holmstrom is still providing that"
Tomas Holmstrom ready for dirty work around net while trying to avoid penalties
April 12
Michigan Live
 
"The Detroit Red Wings have had several goals disallowed this season, seemingly more than before, because of goaltender interference or incidental contact. Tomas Holmstrom typically is the guilty party. When the Red Wings open the playoffs Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, Holmstrom will be stationed where he always is, in front of the opposition's net, trying to tip shots and screen the goalie, the Phoenix Coyotes' 6-foot-3 Ilya Bryzgalov. But, given his history and reputation, Holmstrom knows he must be more diligent, stay out of the crease and try to avoid contact with the goalie. "I try to do it every game, but sometimes those calls against you might come more frequently," Holmstrom said."
Red Wings dinged by pucks, healed by Doritos
March 22
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tomas Holmstrom walked around the Detroit Red Wings' locker room this morning with an ice bag strapped to his right forearm, the result of a little Swede-on-Swede incident. Holmstrom got dinged by a Niklas Kronwall slap shot as the morning skate wrapped up. The injury isn't serious and certainly won't keep Holmstrom from playing tonight, when the Wings host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena. But Holmstrom wasn't about to miss an opportunity to have a go at Kronwall."
Wings' Holmstrom to return to lineup tonight
February 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Red Wings will welcome back forward Tomas Holmstrom to the lineup tonight against the Predators. Forward Valtteri Filppula will miss the first of at least three games with a sprained knee. "We'd like to have all hands on deck," said Wings coach Mike Babcock. "We'd like to find out what kind of hockey team we really have. We're playing Nashville tonight and they don't have guys (healthy). That's just the way the league is. We've got to find a way to keep getting better." Babcock said the Wings skated better in the second period of Monday's win over the Rangers than they had since before the All-Star break. "Ideally we're going to skate here tonight and get better," Babcock"
Datsyuk, Holmstrom to sit out Friday for the Wings
February 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom practiced in gray jerseys again today, which means they won't be available for Friday's home game against the Blue Jackets. Holmstrom broke his right hand in a game at Columbus on Jan. 14 and said he was questionable for Saturday's game at Nashville but hoped to play Monday when the Rangers visit Joe Louis Arena. "Today's a big, big difference, but still I can't really shoot the puck," Holmstrom said of the progress he's made. "It feels way better." Holmstrom said he'd probably get another X-ray before he played again."
Tomas Holmstrom skating again, hopes to return shortly after all-star break
January 26
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom skated by himself before practice this morning, just doing some laps, not doing any stick-handling or shooting as he waits for his broken right hand to heal.Holmstrom didn't rule out the possibility of playing in the first game following the all-star break, a week from today in Ottawa, but chances are he won't return until a few days after that. "Who knows, maybe I can (play Feb. 2). It's just how I can handle the pain,'' Holmstrom said. "Hoping a week can make it good. Hold onto the stick and manage the pain. It takes three weeks to heal the bone. So hopefully around that time.'' He was injured Jan. 14 against Columbus."
Wings lose Jimmy Howard and Tomas Holmstrom in shootout loss
January 15
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings lost a game Friday. And of course, it being the Red Wings, they also lost a couple more players to injuries. The loss isn't typical, a 3-2 shootout to Columbus. But the injuries, well, as Tomas Holmstrom said, "it's ridiculous." Goaltender Jimmy Howard bruised his right knee with 7:17 left in the first period and gave way to Joey MacDonald. Holmstrom fractured his right hand and will see a specialist today, but coach Mike Babcock said it's possible Holmstrom could be out a month. "It feels (bad)," Holmstrom said. "We'll see what the specialist says. I was battling around the net and then felt something. I got to the bench and I couldn't hold on to the stick." As for Howard, a"
Holmstrom personifies toughness
December 4
Detroit News
 columnist Ted Kulfan
"The question wasn't completely asked, and Kris Draper had to add something. Tomas Holmstrom had just played his 900th career game. Draper, though, a teammate for all those games, wanted to add an accurate opinion. "Nine hundred hardgames," he said. Few players have taken the abuse Holmstrom has around the net, the constant battles with angry defensemen and agitated goaltenders. Yet, every time, he gets up, continues to battle - and comes back for more. "Everyone in our dressing room realizes how hard he plays and how hard he competes," Draper said. "Some mornings you see him and wonder how he's going to play. "He just wills himself out there. His pain threshold is as high as I've ever"
Changes might mean less ice time for Wings' Tomas Holmstrom
November 19
Detroit News
 
"The tinkering coach Mike Babcock did late Wednesday with the Red Wings' lines and power-play units will probably remain in place for Friday's game against Minnesota. Babcock is dropping Tomas Holmstrom to the checking line with Darren Helm, and either Drew Miller or Patrick Eaves. Johan Franzen replaces Holmstrom on the line with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Justin Abdelkader moves up to the second line, replacing Franzen. "We'll see what happens going ahead," said Babcock, who thought the changes were needed against St. Louis to get the top two scoring lines going. "We feel we have good balance in scoring." The biggest adjustment appears to be for Holmstrom, who'll likely see"
Tomas Holmstrom earns redemption as Wings beat Rangers
September 27
Detroit News
 
"Tomas Holmstrom cost the Red Wings a goal Sunday, although it's open to debate whether he really did. But he got one back later, and it proved to be much more important. Holmstrom's third-period goal broke a tie and helped send the Red Wings to a 5-3 exhibition win over the New York Rangers. Holmstrom snapped a shot from the circle that beat Rangers goalie Chad Johnson short-side just over four minutes into the third period. It was Holmstrom's second goal of the exhibition season. And it appeared that he aided Brian Rafalski with a goal in the second period, screening Rangers goalie Martin Biron as Rafalski fired a shot into the net. But officials waved off the goal, stating Holmstrom"
Tomas Holmstrom says he wants to finish his career as a Red Wing
June 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tomas Holmstrom will continue to be a net-front presence for the Red Wings for another two seasons after agreeing to a contract extension Friday. He said he never thought of playing elsewhere. After fellow Swede and close friend Nicklas Lidstrom agreed to a one-year, $6.2-million contract earlier in the week, Holmstrom became the next player that Red Wings general manager Ken Holland checked off his summer to-do list. The deal will pay Holmstrom $2.25 million next season and $1.5 million in 2011-12. "I want to finish my career here," Holmstrom said. "I've been here for 14 years. This is my home. Had lots of success there, four Stanley Cups. If I stay here, I got one more chance at least to"
Red Wings, Tomas Holmstrom agree to two-year deal
June 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings finalized a two-year contract with free-agent forward Tomas Holmstrom for $3.75 million, the Free Press learned Thursday. The deal will pay Holmstrom $2.25 million next season, $1.5 million in 2011-12. The salary-cap hit is $1.875 million a year. Holmstrom is expected to sign today or Monday. Holmstrom, 37, has been with the Wings since 1996, helping them win four Stanley Cups with his hard-nosed play. He worked his way up from being a fourth-line player with power-play duty to being a first-line regular and power-play stalwart. He has scored at least 20 goals in four of the past five seasons. The vast majority of his goals are deflections or redirections from in front of"
Reports: Wings re-sign Tomas Holmstrom for 2 years
June 4
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings have re-signed forward Tomas Holmstrom, according to multiple reports. Holmstrom, 37, has been with the Red Wings for all 13 of his NHL seasons. The deal likely means he will retire as a member of the organization. Fox affiliate WJBK reported the terms of the deal as two years, at an average of $1.875 million per season."
Writer rips stay-at-home hockey players
May 20
Detroit Free Press
 
""Saying No to Your Country," a long column posted at the IIHF Web site, takes some potshots at NHL players not competing in the world championships in Germany -- including some Red Wings. Szymon Szemberg writes: "How can a player who is 22 or 25 or 27, and who was just eliminated from the playoffs be tired? Tired is a miner who works in a damp pit in Miktivka, in the Donetz Plateau in Ukraine, who never sees daylight and who provides living for a family of five in a modest two-room apartment. That is tired. ... "Why is a 22-year-old Sidney Crosby tired when a 34-year-old Ryan Smyth is answering the bell for his country? ..."
Holmstrom's goal put dagger to Coyotes
April 24
Detroit Free Press
 
"A play that in coach Dave Tippett's view never should have been allowed to develop turned out to be the one that hurt the Coyotes the most. But luck was not on their side Friday night. The Detroit Red Wings took advantage of the opportunities they were presented and grabbed a 4-1 victory in front of 17,458 at Jobing.com Arena to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference series. Game 6 is Sunday in Detroit, and Game 7, if needed, will be Sunday in Glendale. Ariz. The dagger came from Tomas Holmstrom, whose goal with 8:51 left gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead. "We got beat on coverage a couple times," Tippett said. "The second goal is kind of a broken play actually because I"
Tomas Holmstrom makes most of move
April 24
Detroit News
 
"A sarcastic grin spread across Tomas Holmstrom face when he was asked if he was frustrated by being moved from the first line to the fourth line by coach Mike Babcock after Game 3. "Yeah, it was probably my fault we lost," he said. "I mean, yeah, sure (he is frustrated). You want to be out there playing. But it's the coach's decision, so what can you do? As long as we win, that's the most important thing." Holmstrom answered his own question in Game 5. What can he do? How about score the winning goal and set up the insurance goal in the pivotal 4-1 win Friday night."
Wings' Babcock not worried about Tomas Holmstrom's ice time
April 24
Detroit News
 
"A sarcastic grin spread across Tomas Holmstrom's face when he was asked if he was frustrated by being moved from the first line to the fourth line by coach Mike Babcock after Game 3. "Yeah, it was probably my fault we lost," he said. "I mean, yeah, sure (he is frustrated). You want to be out there playing. But it's the coach's decision, so what can you do? As long as we win, that's the most important thing." After Holmstrom posted a minus-2 in Game 3, Babcock moved Danny Cleary up to the top line and Holmstrom down to the fourth. While the move helped create more room and puck possession time for Pavel Datsyuk in Game 4, Holmstrom was reduced to playing just a little more than eight"
Tomas Holmstrom ignites Detroit's big third period
April 24
Detroit News
 
"Sometimes you pull a string and nothing happens, then other times you pull one and red lights start coming on. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock decided an offensive zone faceoff 11 minutes into the third period was a good time to put Tomas Holmstrom back on the top line with Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen. Seventy seconds, and a goal and an assist from Holmstrom later, and the Wings were on their way to a huge 4-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes and a 3-2 lead in this quarterfinal series. "I was just trying to take care of the chance I got," said Holmstrom, who was sent to the fourth line after Game 3. "It felt pretty good to score that goal." The Wings lead the series for the first time"
Wings' Tomas Holmstrom is the guy players love to hit
April 20
Detroit News
 
"With about a dozen seconds left in Game 3, Sunday evening, Ed Jovanovski clearly had quite enough of Tomas Holmstrom. The big defenseman for the Coyotes started shoving Holmstrom, in front of the Phoenix goal. Then, there was a little stick work: perhaps a cross-check, followed by a bit of high-sticking. And then Jovanovski resorted to some glove work: a couple of shoves into Holmstrom's back, and then a little higher, purposefully knocking Homer's helmet crooked. One 6-foot-3 guy, Jovanovski, who is listed at 218 pounds, taking his liberties on another 6-3 guy, Holmstrom, listed as 20-pounds lighter. The fans warmed to the situation, with a bit of a growl rising in the arena. Finally, a"
Tomas Holmstrom is key to playoff series
April 15
Detroit News
 
"It's probably going too far to say Tomas Holmstrom will have a bull's-eye on his sweater this series, but defending the Red Wings' net-front demon has been prominent in the Coyotes' strategy sessions. "He's certainly a factor," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said Wednesday, before Holmstrom scored the first goal of the series. "He's been a factor in every series I've ever played against him." While the coach wasn't tipping his hand, his players offered plenty of suggestions on how to play Holmstrom. "You have to mix things up with Tomas," said former Wings defenseman Mathieu Schneider, a healthy scratch for the Coyotes in Game 1. "You can't just let him stand in front. You try to box out in"
Wings' Tomas Holmstrom nominated for Masterton Trophy
April 6
Detroit News
 
"It hasn't been fun for Tomas Holmstrom the past couple years, fighting through injuries. And though he understands it's part of the job description -- that is, the scrums in front of the goalie, getting whacked by defensemen -- it's nevertheless taken a toll on Holmstrom. It's not an easy job, but it's a key role most players can't do game after game. For that reason, Holmstrom was nominated for the Masterton Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. "For sure when you're hurt it's not fun," said Holmstrom, 37. "The last two years, the two hernia surgeries, it was tough. "You think about it a little bit (what his"
Tomas Holmstrom is Red Wings' nominee for Masterton Trophy, awarded for dedication, perseverance
April 6
Michigan Live
 
"Tomas Holmstrom was delighted, and somewhat touched, to learn Tuesday that he is the Detroit Red Wings' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. "I don't know what you're talking about,'' Holmstrom said. "I never heard about the award.'' It's given to the player who best demonstrates sportsmanship, perseverance and dedication to hockey. He was selected by the Detroit chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. "Oh, I'm honored,'' Holmstrom said. If he is named one of the three finalists he'll earn a trip to Las Vegas for the NHL Awards Show in June. "I'll take that. That would be nice,'' Holmstrom said. Seriously, though, Holmstrom is a good candidate, considering the"
Wings confident they'll re-sign Tomas Holmstrom
March 18
Detroit News
 
"If you find it hard to imagine Tomas Holmstrom wearing anything but the winged wheel on his sweater, so does he. "Detroit has been so good to me over the years," said Holmstrom, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. "I have been fortunate to be part of four Stanley Cup teams here. I want to stay here and finish my career here." General manager Ken Holland feels the same way. He's already had one brief conversation with Holmstrom's agent, Howard Gourwitz. Holmstrom said he would consider anything from a one-year to a three-year deal. "Homer and Nick Lidstrom (also an unrestricted free agent after the season) -- those guys aren't going anywhere," Holland said. "They're"
Tomas Homer nets 20th, helps team relax
March 17
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tomas Holmstrom plays many roles for the Red Wings: net-front presence, easy target for jokes because of his hilarious English, Nicklas Lidstrom's carpool buddy, teacher. At 37, he is also, once again, a 20-goal scorer, having reached the mark in typical fashion and sending the Wings off for a three-day excursion on a delighted and relieved note. The Wings spent Tuesday relaxing at a resort in Kelowna, British Columbia, after flying in following Monday's 2-1 victory at Calgary, which provided a three-point lead for eighth place in the Western Conference. "It's a huge difference from going into it with a loss and not being able to relax," Johan Franzen said after setting up Holmstrom's"
Tomas Holmstrom is enjoying resurgence
March 16
Detroit News
 
"Most of his career, Tomas Holmstrom has been a known quantity. Year after year, you knew he was going to provide a strong and skilled net presence, give you 20-plus goals and in general be a real pain to play against. Coming into this season, though, he was anything but a known quantity. "You never knew with Homer because, is he an 80-game guy or is he a 60-game guy because of the wear and tear on him and how hard he plays," coach Mike Babcock said Monday morning. At 37, and coming off one of his worst seasons in Detroit -- an injury-plagued, 14-goal nightmare -- Holmstrom wasn't sure what he had left, either. "For sure you think about it," he said. "It's good you get the summer to"
Wings' Tomas Holmstrom ready to play against Avs
February 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tomas Holmstrom had a good day on the ice Thursday. Wednesday night was a different story as Holmstrom watched Sweden's Olympic hockey team on television. The Red Wings forward looked lively as he darted around the ice in an afternoon practice at Joe Louis Arena. Recurring problems with his left knee have hampered Holmstrom's effectiveness the past month, but Thursday he started and stopped with ease, scored on some nice wrist shots and generally showed no signs of any problems. "I don't have any setbacks," he said. "It was a really good skate today. I felt pretty good. Hopefully it's going to work out tomorrow. I'm looking at (playing) Monday, yeah." The Wings return to NHL action Monday"
Team Sweden replaces one Red Wing with another
February 15
Detroit News
 
"One Red Wing in, one Red Wing out ... and one Penguin still in. Johan Franzen was picked for the Swedish Olympic team to replace his Detroit teammate Tomas Holmstrom, who left Saturday's victory over Ottawa with a left knee injury. Sweden starts play Wednesday against Germany. Meanwhile, Penguins and Canadian star Sidney Crosby took a slap shot off his foot Sunday but said it wouldn't affect his Olympic status."
Johan Franzen to replace Wings teammate Tomas Holmstrom on Swedish team
February 15
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings power forward Johan Franzen will be at the Olympics after all -- because Tomas Holmstrom will not. Holmstrom has pulled out because of recurring problems with his left knee that have hampered his effectiveness the past month. Holmstrom was on the provisional roster released by Team Sweden in December, while Franzen was left off because at the time the Swedes didn't think he'd have recovered from surgery. Final rosters, however, don't have to be submitted until today. Speaking Friday, Franzen was enthusiastic about having a chance to go. "It would be great for me to play in the Olympics and play against the best players," Franzen said. "Get the tempo up even more than it is here."
Red Wings F Holmstrom pulls out of Olympics; Franzen to join Sweden
February 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings power forward Johan Franzen will be at the Olympics after all – because Tomas Holmstrom will not. Holmstrom has pulled out because of recurring problems with his left knee that have hampered his effectiveness over the past month. Holmstrom was on the provisional roster released by Team Sweden in December, while Franzen was left off because at the time the Swedes didn't think he'd still be recovering from surgery. Final rosters, however, don't have to be submitted until Monday. Speaking Friday, Franzen was enthusiastic about going. "It would be great for me to play in the Olympics and play against the best players," Franzen said. "Get the tempo up even more than it is here. It"
Tomas Holmstrom re-injures knee, questionable for the Olympics
February 14
Detroit News
 
"That ought to make the Olympic break a bit more relaxing for the Red Wings. "It was good to get a win," coach Mike Babcock said after the Wings busted Northeast Division-leading Ottawa 4-1 Saturday, snapping a four-game losing streak. "We needed one badly going into the break. Now some guys can get energized by going to the Olympics and the others can be energized by the time off." The Wings couldn't get to the break, though, without another injury. Tomas Holmstrom, back just two games from a left knee injury, re-aggravated it late in the first period and did not return."
Holmstrom returns for Wings; Kronwall eying Saturday
February 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Red Wings returned one injured Swede to the lineup Thursday night and hope to have another back Saturday when they host the Ottawa Senators. Forward Tomas Holmstrom was back to face the Sharks after missing one game with a bruised left knee. "It was a big difference from yesterday to today," Holmstrom said, calling the game against the Sharks "a big test." He played 13:28 and had an assist on the game-tying goal in the 3-2 shoot-out loss. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall remained out with a left knee injury but hopes to be back Saturday, the last game before the NHL takes a two-week break for the Olympics. If he can't play against the Senators, Kronwall acknowledged he might have to withdraw"
Wings' Tomas Holmstrom will try to play vs. Sharks
February 11
Detroit News
 
"Tomas Holmstrom is going to try to play against the Sharks Thursday night, but Niklas Kronwall is going to wait until Saturday. Both are battling aching left knees, and both are worried both about helping the Red Wings gain valuable points -- and about their spots on the Swedish Olympic team. "If you don't play tonight or Saturday, then it's tough going over there and hoping it's going to be good," Holmstrom said Thursday. "You never know and there's different scenarios that go through your mind. I am going to try to play tonight and hope it's going to be good." Kronwall, who skated Thursday morning, is trying to get comfortable wearing a knee brace. "It felt a lot better again today," he"
Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom expects to play tonight
February 11
Michigan Live
 
"Update from the Detroit Red Wings' morning skate on Thursday: Tomas Holmstrom (bone bruise in left knee) said he will play tonight against San Jose. "It was a big difference from yesterday to today,'' Holmstrom said. "It's going to be a big test for sure. I need to get these games. It's going to be a tough one for sure, but I may as well get into it right away.'' Coach Mike Babcock has a contingency plan in case Holmstrom can't play. Brad May will skate in the pregame warm-ups. "We'll have an extra in warm-up and we'll decide at that time,'' Babcock said. If Holmstrom plays, Babcock said he'll use him on the fourth line and on the power play. "When you haven't practiced, it's going to be"
Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom iffy for Thursday, worried about Olympics
February 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"Forward Tomas Holmstrom left Detroit Red Wings practice early today and is questionable to play Thursday, when the Wings host the San Jose Sharks. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall is definitely out, coach Mike Babcock said. Holmstrom has been bothered by a bruised left knee suffered Saturday at Los Angeles and missed Tuesday's 4-3 shoot-out loss at St. Louis. "I felt pretty good to start with," Holmstrom said. "But then I got a pain in my knee, and when I started doing drills and going hard, I got really sore and was in pain. But there is big difference from yesterday to today. And I still was out there for 40 minutes (in practice), but I didn't go that hard. I hope I play tomorrow, but we need"
Holmstrom, Miller and Eaves all injured in loss to Kings
February 7
Detroit News
 
"All coach Mike Babcock could do, really, was shrug his shoulders. "It just seems to be part of the equation here," he said, after losing three players during the Red Wings' 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Saturday. "There's nothing you can do about it. Just suck it up and try to find a way to win." The Wings seemingly had this game in their back pockets. Henrik Zetterberg scored twice and Valtteri Filppula once, and they led 3-0 lead after the first period. But things unraveled very quickly in the second. First Tomas Holmstrom went out with a bruised left knee in the first period. Drew Miller left with an ankle bruise in the second after blocking a shot. Patrick Eaves left in the second"
Babcock doesn't rush Holmstrom's return
January 31
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Wings won't have Tomas Holmstrom available for today's game and might also be missing Todd Bertuzzi. Holmstrom had hoped to return to the lineup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins, but he's still not fully recovered from the broken bone in his foot that has kept him out since Jan. 6. "We're going to give him another couple days," said Wings coach Mike Babcock. "I think he could probably play. Just confidence-wise I think it's good to have a couple days under his belt." After Saturday's practice, Holmstrom initially said he would play. But the more he talked, the clearer it became that his foot was still tender. "I told Babs I could go, but he looked out there and said"
Kronwall returns tonight; Jason Williams, Holmstrom close
January 26
Detroit News
 
"There's a chance that when the Red Wings hit the ice in Pittsburgh on Sunday for their nationally televised matinee against the Penguins, they could be as healthy as they've been since the third game of the season. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall, out since Nov. 21 because of a sprained knee, will return tonight against the Coyotes. "That's huge," Danny Cleary said. "Words can't describe how important he is to our team." Kronwall will be back with his partner Brad Stuart, and he will return to his point spot on the second power-play unit. "It's nice to have him back," coach Mike Babcock said. "We need a boost right now. I don't think we played very good the other night. I thought L.A. was"