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Draper/Malby are tonight’s healthy scratches http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...m_to_retur.html BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Update from Tuesday's morning skate at the HSBC Center: Red Wings center Darren Helm will return to action tonight against the Sabres, after missing four weeks with a sprained AC joint (shoulder). Helm will center the fourth line, with Brad May and Patrick Eaves. Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby are tonight's healthy scratches. "It's been a long time,'' Helm said. "I didn't get expect to get hurt in camp, but it happens and you fight through it. It gave me an extra month to get even more excited to get to this point. "It (the injury) is not even in my mind right now. I'm just going to go out there and do what I've done in the past. Hopefully that works out and I'm fine.'' The other three lines remain the same: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi Leino-Filppula-Cleary Holmstrom-Abdelkader-Williams Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Meech-Ericsson Lebda (scratched) Osgood (starting) Howard

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/10/st...wings_defe.html St. James: Former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios to end pro career as member of Chicago Wolves By George Malik October 08, 2009, 12:59PM The Free Press's Helene St. James posted a post-script in her blog entry about the newest Red Wing, Brad May, by talking about the fate of the "oldest" former Red Wing who still plans on playing hockey on a competitive basis: October 8, Detroit Free Press: Chris Chelios is expected to sign with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. I know Chelios talked about that possibility during training camp and the exhibition season, and it makes sense at this point. He can end his career in his hometown while playing for the AHL's equivalent of the Red Wings in terms of year-to-year dominance, he might impress the Atlanta Thrashers' brass, and he can both be a little closer to his parents and remain an 45 minute flight from his family and businesses in his adopted hometown--Metro Detroit.

By Ansar Khan October 05, 2009, 12:57PM DETROIT -- Update from Monday's practice: Center Darren Helm continues to practice and participate in battling drills but his status for Thursday's game against Chicago is questionable. Helm has been out since Sept. 14 with a sprained AC joint (shoulder). On defense, Derek Meech will replace Brett Lebda, who struggled the first two games, posting a minus-3 rating and getting benched during the third period of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Blues. Other than that, no changes to the line combinations in practice: Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Zetterberg-Cleary (Helm working in) Leino-Filppula-Williams Draper-Abdelkader-Maltby (Eaves working in) Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Meech Lebda Osgood Howard http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...able_for_t.html

http://www.freep.com/article/20090928/BLOG...ls-the-best-yet Quick update from Stockholm: The Red Wings spent nearly an hour on the ice this afternoon in an effort to stave off jet lag, and Henrik Zetterberg had good news on the state of his groin (ljumsken is Swedish for groin). "This is the best I've felt since it happened, so that's positive," he said. "We'll see how it reacts to this, and go from tomorrow." Zetterberg said he'll play in the Wings' exhibition Wednesday at Karlstad if he can. He has yet to play in an exhibition game after hurting his groin because of stepping on Jimmy Howard's stick during training camp. Mike Babcock joked that coming home may help the healing. "He gets back to Sweden, maybe smells that fresh air, or something like that, will make him feel better," Babcock said. Dan Cleary (also groin tenderness) said he'll play Wednesday, and Todd Bertuzzi (ditto on the groin) skated and is probable.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...season_deb.html Brad May to make preseason debut Friday; lineup for Red Wings' preseason game vs. Leafs By Ansar Khan September 24, 2009, 1:00PM DETROIT -- Veteran forward Brad May, who joined the team on a tryout Wednesday, practiced with the regular squad today and will play in Friday's preseason game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena (7:30, Fox Sports Net Plus). The club brought in May (6-1, 213) because of his size and toughness. General manager Ken Holland said he would decide after the weekend what the next step will be. But he said May won't be traveling to Sweden with the team for the start of the regular season, as the club has no available salary-cap space. May could end up signing a two-way deal and play for Grand Rapids at the start of the season, being recalled on occasion, much like Aaron Downey last season. May played in 38 games for the Leafs last season, after starting the season Anaheim. Here's the lineup for Friday's game: Forwards Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Bertuzzi-Filppula-Cleary Draper-Abdelkader-Ritola May-Newbury-Pare Defense Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lebda-Ericsson Goalies Osgood Howard Henrik Zetterberg skated briefly at the start of practice and took the ice afterward but continues to be hampered by a groin strain, which almost assuredly will keep him idled through the weekend. Zetterberg is confident he'll be ready for the start of the season. He might be able to play in the final preseason game Wednesday against Swedish club Farjestads

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul 09/22/09 at 11:56 AM ET | Comments (0) The following statement was issued today by Chicago Blackhawks Head Team Physician Dr. Michael Terry: “Adam Burish went into the boards on Sunday night in Minnesota and injured his right knee. When a player like him leaves the ice it is always concerning, and unfortunately he suffered an ACL tear. He will undergo a reconstruction as soon as possible and we anticipate a complete recovery. His return will take approximately six months.â€

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_dadd...?urn=nhl,190300 The NHL's first games on Versus this season are scheduled for two weeks from today on Oct. 1, with the Washington Capitals visiting the Boston Bruins and the San Jose Sharks at the Colorado Avalanche on a night when Joe Sakic's(notes) No. 19 will be raised to the rafters. In other words, the time for genuine concern has arrived if you're a hockey fan with a DirecTV subscription that hasn't had Versus on the satellite service since it was unceremoniously yanked on Sept. 1 following a contract dispute. Good news: Both sides confirm negotiations are ongoing after talks broke down earlier this month; and Jade Ekstedt, spokesperson for DirecTV, said the parties are "very aware" that the clock is ticking to the start of the season. The less-than-good news: Getting Versus back on DirecTV by the first official puck drop isn't looking particularly promising at this point, according to the network's president. "The two sides are now talking again, and that's a good sign," said Jamie Davis, president of Versus. "I'm hoping for an amicable solution, but right now I would have to say that DirectTV is insistent in not budging off this distribution issue. If they stay the way they are, I do not believe this will not be solved prior to Oct. 1, unfortunately." The dispute, in summary: DirecTV claims it already pays Versus "more than any other independent distributor" and that Versus is asking for a 20 percent fee hike; DirecTV specifically wants "packaging rights" for the network in order to move it into another tier of programming that could carry an additional cost to subscribers. Versus claims it isn't charging DirecTV above market rate, and that moving to that new tier would "take Versus away from six million subscribers," according to Davis. Check out our earlier coverage for a much more detailed picture of what's at stake. It's a dispute that started out rather acrimoniously, with DirecTV pulling Versus off the air and placing an accusatory message to viewers in its place. Furthermore, it called Versus "basically a paid programming and infomercial channel with occasional sporting events of interest" on a blistering message on its Web site. "They're not only insulting our network. They're insulting hockey fans," said Davis. "What really happened was that they didn't tell us they were going to pull us off the air and came out swinging when we thought we were having fruitful, professional discussions. After that, there were no discussions for over a week." For Versus, the loss of DirecTV hasn't necessarily slowed its ratings momentum. The network's coverage of No. 2 Texas at Wyoming in NCAA football propelled it to the top of the ratings in key male demos last Saturday. Year-to-year this month, Versus said its primetime viewership is up 13 percent, its total day viewership is up 25 percent and its weekend viewership is up a whopping 88 percent thanks in part to football. (This weekend's BYU/Florida State matchup is affected by the dispute, and both DirecTV and Versus said a resolution was doubtful before the game.) There's no question that Versus has accumulated some attractive properties in football, MMA and auto racing to go along with its crown jewel in the NHL. There's also no question that, for many digital cable services, Versus is a part of basic programming packages. The question we had for Davis: If DirecTV wants to place Versus on a different tier, isn't that their right? Shouldn't the marketplace decide whether it's the correct move or not? Davis said the clearance issue goes beyond the viewers. It affects relationships with leagues and with advertisers. "Taking [Versus] away from six million subscribers is something we can't live with," he said. Right now, millions of hockey fans that are affected in this dispute are wondering if they'll have to live without Versus's coverage at the start of the season. At some point, the NHL may have to become a more active player in this dispute as time runs short. We asked Davis about the shrapnel the League is receiving from critics about this dispute, the latest bit of evidence for the "Get off of Versus" crowd. He reiterated that the NHL's numbers on Versus have been climbing and that the last postseason was the highest rated on cable since 2002, no doubt bolstered by the Alexander Ovechkin(notes)/Sidney Crosby showdown and a few Cup finals games between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. "The NHL is very squarely behind us," he said. "And remember, DirecTV pulled us off the air."

via Elliotte Friedman’s Twitter, Zetterberg was supposed to be at NHL Media event but tweaked groin and needed further examination. http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock..._tweaked_groin/

NHL Network's 2009-10 live pre-season games begins Monday with Kraft Hockeyville 2009 gameThursday, 09.10.2009 / 4:25 PM / NHL Network NHL.comNEW YORK – Live NHL hockey returns to NHL Network in the U.S. and Canada on Monday, Sept. 14th, when the New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks open the NHL pre-season schedule at 10:30 p.m. ET from Terrace, B.C., winner of the Canada-wide Kraft Hockeyville contest. The game is the first of ten live pre-season games appearing on NHL Network U.S. and six on NHL Network Canada in anticipation of the 2009-10 NHL regular season, which opens Thursday, Oct. 1. For U.S. viewers, the 10-game schedule includes an appearance by each of the six Canadian teams, both the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers – combatants in the 2010 Bridgestone/NHL Winter Classic® on New Year’s Day – and three games featuring the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, including a Sept. 27 pre-season rematch with the Detroit Red Wings. The network will have a different live game on every night of the week Sept 21-27. In Canada, viewers will be treated to two games featuring Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, as well as games featuring Original Six teams the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. 2009-10 NHL Network U.S. Pre-Season Game Schedule Mon., Sept. 14 NY Islanders @ Vancouver 10:30 p.m. ET* Wed., Sept. 16 Boston @ Toronto 7 p.m. ET* Thurs., Sept. 17 Toronto @ Philadelphia 7 p.m. ET Mon., Sept. 21 Pittsburgh @ Montreal 7:30 p.m. ET* Tues., Sept. 22 Pittsburgh @ Toronto 7 p.m. ET* Wed., Sept. 23 Toronto @ Buffalo 7 p.m. ET Thurs., Sept. 24 Edmonton @ Tampa Bay 8:30 p.m. ET* Fri., Sept. 25 Boston @ Ottawa 7 p.m. ET* Sat., Sept. 26 Vancouver @ Calgary 9 p.m. ET* Sun., Sept. 27 Pittsburgh @ Detroit 5 p.m. ET* * Telecast available in HD 2009-10 NHL Network Canada Pre-Season Game Schedule Mon., Sept. 14 NY Islanders @ Vancouver 10:30 p.m. ET Tues., Sept. 15 Boston @ NY Rangers 7 p.m. ET Sat., Sept. 19 NY Rangers @ Boston 4 p.m. ET Mon., Sept. 21 Detroit @ NY Rangers 7 p.m. ET Thurs., Sept. 24 Washington @ NY Rangers 7 p.m. ET Sun., Sept. 27 NY Rangers @ Washington Noon ET

For those of us that are attending Training Camp - please note that there are now additional events on Monday and Tuesday to attend. I was not able to copy, but have included the link. http://redwingstrainingcamp.com/

DETROIT -- Former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios still is hoping to play in the NHL this season. But if he doesn't receive an offer he might play for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, the minor league affiliate for the Atlanta Thrashers. "Anything is possible, except I've ruled out Russia,'' Chelios said Wednesday, after practicing with the Wings at Joe Louis Arena. "That (playing for the Wolves) is a possibility. I talked to the owner, Tony Granato's brother (Don) is the coach. I might skate with them,'' Chelios said. "I've been lucky to be able to skate with (the Wings) but next week (during training camp) I got to keep skating, that's the key.'' For the first time since 1983, Chelios won't be attending an NHL training camp. "I was prepared for it. It's not like I didn't know it wasn't coming,'' Chelios said. "Once everyone is gone, maybe it will be strange, but right now I'm busy with the kids. It'll hit home if I'm not playing in a month or two. I've already prepared myself for after (hockey). I'm not worried about it either way. I want to be play real bad, but if I don't it's been good.'' Chelios said he's spoken to a few NHL teams recently. His chances would increase if a team sustains an injury in camp or the preseason or determines one of its younger players isn't ready for the NHL. "Every team said they got 7-8 (defensemen) under contract,'' Chelios said. "There is some opportunity and they haven't closed the door on me but they're not leading me on either. Everyone I talked to says just be patient.'' Who'll fill Chelios' position as the Wings' NHLPA representative? "That's under investigation, if they want one. Actually, it wouldn't even make a difference, would it?'' Chelios said. Dan Cleary, the club's assistant PA rep, would be the most likely candidate. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...ders_offer.html

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/taxingd...tblog/index.php New money woes confront former Red Wings star Former Detroit Red Wings star Darren McCarty, who won his fourth Stanley Cup ring in 2008 after recovering from alcoholism and a high-profile bankruptcy filing, has new money problems. The IRS last week accused him of failing to pay $62,189 in federal taxes. That's the latest personal challenge facing the rugged, fan-friendly forward who became part of Detroit sports lore through his grinding style, charitable acts and legendary battles with Colorado's Claude Lemieux. McCarty, 37, split last season between Detroit and minor-league affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins and became an unrestricted free agent after the Red Wings lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals. What's owed: The IRS filed a $33,847.81 lien against McCarty on Aug. 18 in the Oakland County Register of Deeds office. According to the lien, he owes income taxes from 2005. The IRS filed a $28,341.53 lien against McCarty on Aug. 18. He owes trust fund taxes from 2004-05, according to the lien. When McCarty filed bankruptcy in 2005, he owed $33,653.55 in trust fund taxes to the state and IRS, according to a court filing. His side: McCarty could not be reached for comment through a Detroit Red Wings spokesman who called McCarty's cell phone and spoke to his agent. The agent was not familiar with the tax liens, team spokesman John Hahn said. Hahn said McCarty reportedly is in Moscow pursuing a contract with a team in the Kontinental Hockey League. That's the same league that lured former Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler with a two-year $10 million contract. McCarty's bankruptcy lawyer also did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/...sia?eref=fromSI Apparently, the KHL isn't done raiding the Red Wings. Already having signed Jiri Hudler , the Russian hockey league now is after Darren McCarty. The rugged, popular veteran forward is in Moscow pursuing possibilities in the league, which begins its season in mid-September.

Looks like Lids and Homer are now attending: Detroit, MI…Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom will open the Detroit Red Wings Hockeyfest this Friday as Hockeytown prepares for another great season with Detroit’s premiere interactive fan experience. In partnership with Coca-Cola and FOX Sports Detroit, the Red Wings begin two exciting days of HockeyFest 2009 on Friday, August 28, from 3:00 pm -10:00 pm, with a special free session for families experiencing economic hardships. On Saturday, August 29, the doors will be open to the general public from 1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. for just $20 for adults and $10 for children (10-and-under). Red Wings season ticket holders are welcome free of charge throughout both days, plus an exclusive early session from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday. HockeyFest 2009 features appearances by Red Wings players including Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, Dan Cleary, Kris Draper andJason Williams , an exclusive Q&A session with Wings players and management, alumni autograph sessions, hockey memorabilia exhibits, photo opportunities with the Zamboni and Al the Octopus and much more! Band favorite Bazooka Charlie will be on hand to fire fans up beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night.

An Erie County grand jury has passed on felony charges against Blackhawks star winger Patrick Kane but indicted him and his cousin this afternoon on misdemeanor harassment and theft charges. Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said in a statement: “Patrick Kane will not be prosecuted more leniently or more harshly because he is employed as a hockey player.†The charges come following testimony from “all known witnesses, including a witness suggested by defense counsel,†according to the statement. They grand jury dismissed the second degree robbery charges lodged last week, but indicted both Patrick Kane, 20, and James Kane, 21, for third degree assault and theft of services, both misdemeanors, as well as harassment, a lower level offense. Kane and his cousin are to be arraigned 2 p.m. Thursday. They were arrested last week after an alleged latenight assault on a cabbie in Kane’s native Buffalo, N.Y. After they were picked up from the nightlife district, the Kanes are accused of grabbing back the $15 they gave the driver when he said he was 20 cents short of giving them change for their $13.80 fare. The driver, Jan Radecki, has said in media interviews that the two then assaulted him. Sedita told the Sun-Times Tuesday he was handling Kane’s case like any other. “I will not give Mr. Kane any special treatment because he is a celebrity or a great hockey player,†Sedita said. “I’m just going to treat Mr. Kane like his last name is Mr. Smith.†Kane’s attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/07/at..._captain_n.html At present, Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom doesn't plan on retiring after 09-10 season Posted by George James Malik July 31, 2009 06:04AM As a follow-up to Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg's comments in Dagens Nyheter, Lidstrom also spoke to Aftonbladet's Henrik Lundgren from the Swedish Olympic team's gathering in Gothenburg: July 31, Aftonbladet (translated): Lidström hesitates on Vancouver: "It depends on how I feel" GÖTEBORG. He settled the Olympic finals in 2006. But it is far from certain that the Tre Kronor will play with, with Nicklas Lidström in Vancouver six months from now. "It depends on how my body feels. I am on the right track, but still have pain in my elbow," says the giant defenseman When the Swedish Olympic Team gathered forty NHL professionals in its introductory Olympic gathering, Nicklas Lidström was with them. But it means nothing. "Nah, I'll make my decision when the NHL season begins. I ran rehabilitation all summer and am on track," said the Detroit star. Bengt-Åke Gustafsson has gathered a provisional squad, but he will have 60-70 players on the list in a month. It is then that Lidström is going to give an answer. "I had pain in several places during the finals. Right now, I feel good, but my I had pain in several places in the body during finals. Right now I feel good, but elbow injury has not healed yet." How far ahead do you look? Your contract expires after this season? "I'm looking that far as well. We shall see what happens next summer. But if I feel motivated and injury-free, in that case I would continue." Is there a chance for Swedish clubs to entice you home? "Right now neither the Eliteserien or KHL entice me. When I'm finished with the NHL, I'll be finished with hockey, too."

From MLIVE: http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/07/th...ing_better.html Update #2, still the middle of the night: The Globe and Mail's James Mirtle isn't happy with the fact that this will probably go nowhere, but the point is clearly that the Red Wings at least believe that Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen can fulfill the balances of their respective contracts, while the Blackhawks probably negotiated the deal with a very specific retirement date in mind.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock..._with_khl_team/ from TSN, After a 16-year NHL career, Sergei Zubov is heading home as the 39-year old blueliner has signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL

Trust me, while I'm not willing to give up vital body parts like mmamolo, I do not want Williams here either. He would be on the bottom of my list.

sorry - was not indicating he said that about the Wings - just wanted to copy the end of the article published and the text that was left out of the original post.

here's the rest of the article from MLIVE Snapshots: "The guys are great, the organization is really turned around," he said. "Everything was first class there." Thanks to Christy Hammond for the link... And file this one under "meh" for me. Williams posted 47 points last year, but he's never regained the sort of consistency which helped him post 21 goals and 58 points during the 2005-2006 season. At 28, he's still inconsistent, is slow if he doesn't focus on moving his feet, and while he still possesses a sort of Mikael Samuelsson-style scrappy edge, Mike Babcock certainly found out the hard way that he doesn't show it all that often. My gut says that he'll take the KHL money and run with it. He'd obviously look good on the point on the Wings' PP and would be able to produce a 15-goal, 40-point season, but taking a pay cut from $2.2 million to around $1 million (given that the Wings want two forwards) doesn't strike me as something he'd like to do

Just hit the Hendricks Hockey site after lunch to read about Sundin and one the lead articles is that the Wings have offered Jason Williams a $2.5 million contract. According to the Hockey Insider, Jason Wiliams has been offered a contract by the Detroit Red Wings. The rumored deal is $2.5 million for one year. We have rated this at 80%. There is rumored that he wanted to stay in Columbus, but was never offered a contract. http://www.hendrickshockey.com/

Spector posted the following article on Fox Sports today: http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/9858460...-not-be-falling 2010 salary cap might not be falling

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...and_says_1.html Red Wings GM Ken Holland says Marian Hossa injury didn't occur during playoffs by Ansar Khan Wednesday July 22, 2009, 4:12 PM Wings general manager Ken Holland said Marian Hossa did not injure his shoulder during the playoffs as indicated in a story in the Chicago Daily Herald. Holland said Hossa had a slightly torn rotator cuff when the Wings signed him on July 2, 2008, but it wasn't anything significant. "He was hurt before he got to us,'' Holland said. "Our doctors looked at him and we had conversations about whether to have surgery. Our doctors recommended he should have something done at some point but it's something he can play with.'' According to the Daily Herald, Hossa is contemplating surgery, which would idle him for the start of the season. Hossa signed a 12-year, $62.8 million contract with the Blackhawks on July 1.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock...ns_mark_cullen/ The Chicago Blackhawks have signed center Mark Cullen to a one-year contact. Cullen, 30, registered National Hockey League career highs in games played (29), goals (7), assists (9) and points (16) in 29 games with the Blackhawks in 2005-06. Last season, the Virginia, Minnesota, native ranked fifth on the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose with 25 assists and sixth with 39 points in 56 regular-season contests. He helped Manitoba reach the Calder Cup Finals, notching nine assists and 13 points in 20 postseason tilts. A seven year pro, Cullen also appeared in three games with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006-07, his last NHL action.