Detroit Red Wings Clips September 20-22,...

Detroit Red Wings Clips

September 20-22, 2014

Detroit Red Wings PAGE 3 Justin Abdekaer thrives as trusted man for Red Wings PAGE 4 Brendan Smith vows to be risk-free investment for Wings PAGE 6 Red Wings' schedule pleases Jimmy Howard PAGE 8 Mitch Callahan tries grind way into Wings lineup PAGE 9 Red Wings' Jakub Kindl got too comfortable and took a step back, needs

to return to 2013 form PAGE 11 Defenseman Brendan Smith to get tryout on Red Wings' power play

during preseason games PAGE 13 Red Wings' top four defense prospects in the lineup for Monday's

preseason opener at Pittsburgh PAGE 14 Photos: White team wins Red Wings training camp scrimmage 3-2 in

shootout PAGE 15 Detroit Red Wings' promising defense prospects looking to show their time

is now, compete for jobs PAGE 18 Notes: Cleary optimistic despite disappointing last season PAGE 19 Johan Franzen fit, showing signs of renewed energy PAGE 20 Host of young defensemen aim for Red Wings roster PAGE 22 After 'very bad summer,' Howe showing personality again PAGE 24 Babcock leery of early assessments; likes Wings' depth PAGE 26 Wings' Johan Franzen aims to be healthy, and slump-free PAGE 28 Knee better, Wings have high hopes for Daniel Cleary PAGE 30 Red Wings' Tomas Tatar has sense of belonging this year PAGE 32 Red Wings' Johan Franzen energized and excited after good off-season

training, aims for consistency PAGE 34 So far, so good for Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary in bid to return from

chronic knee issues PAGE 36 Red Wings celebrity/alumni game to include Chris Chelios, Mark Howe

and Mike Babcock PAGE 37 Job security makes Red Wings' Tomas Tatar more confident, comfortable

in training camp PAGE 39 Dan Cleary feels as if he's won the ‘lottery' at training camp PAGE 41 Notes: Offseason helps Jimmy Howard enter training camp at his 'best' in

years PAGE 43 Red Wings high, Lions low in ESPN Ultimate Team Rankings PAGE 44 Long change gets a thumbs up from Red Wings PAGE 45 Stephen Weiss aims to feel great, look great with Wings PAGE 47 Wings' Smith plans to build on last season's success PAGE 49 Stephen Weiss encouraged after first high-intensity skate in nine months

as Red Wings open camp PAGE 51 Red Wings' Darren Helm anticipates smooth transition to wing, on Pavel

Datsyuk's line

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PAGE 53 Young Red Wings no longer take a back seat to veterans in roster battles, says Mike Babcock

PAGE 55 Notes: Wings' top line talk; Weiss still pain-free PAGE 57 South Korea, with former Griffins assistant Jim Paek at the helm, given

entry into 2018 Olympics

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Justin Abdekaer thrives as trusted man for Red Wings

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Sports Writer 9:30 p.m. EDT September 21, 2014

Justin Abdelkader had a satisfying sports weekend, from jelling with potential new line mates to watching his Spartans win, and the Detroit Lions win.

Abdelkader, a native of Muskegon, is among the most utilitarian of the forwards populating the Detroit Red Wings roster, a guy equally at home on the first line as the third. Whether called upon to retrieve pucks for Pavel Datsyuk, as has been the case since Tomas Holmstrom retired, or to fill in on a checking line, Abdelkader has handled responsibilities so ably he getsthe ultimate compliment from Mike Babcock.

"I like that he's an every-day guy," Babcock said Sunday. "He works hard. He's competitive. He plays with good players, he plays on a checking line, he penalty kills, he plays net-front on the power play. We trust him. He's a good man. He treats people right. I've got a ton of confidence in him."

Abdelkader, 27, has spent the first three days of camp being the big body on a line with Stephen Weiss at center and finesse scorer Gustav Nyquist on the opposite wing. If that group stays intact it'd make for an intriguing third line, one that, if Weiss recoups pre-injury form, could be a regular factor in games.

Abdelkader is coming off a career-year offensively, and even though losing five games into the playoffs stung, he got to play more as he was tabbed to captain the USA squad at the World Championships.

His role with the Wings may change, but "whether it's a defensive role or offensive role, I'll be prepared," Abdelkader said, "Hopefully, I can build off last season — I think just scratched the surface, I think I can still score more goals."

Abdelkader, who dabbled in football in his youth before finding happiness in hockey, spent Saturday afternoon and evening watching his alma mater Spartans the Eagles to the point Abdelkader said that, " I felt bad for Eastern, but I guess it's a new era where you have to blow teams out to build your resume."

Later he watched as Michigan fell apart against Utah, going so far as to say hint he wished for a Wolverines win because it'd be better for the Big Ten and because, "I kind of felt for Devin Gardner. I know as an athlete how it must feel letting his team down."

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.22.2014

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Brendan Smith vows to be risk-free investment for Wings


TRAVERSE CITY — Brendan Smith is positive this October will be better. He is a season wiser, he is resolute to be risk-free, and he is ready to prove patient.

It is hard to dislike Smith off the ice, as he is an affable, gregarious talker with an opinion on everything. On the ice, he is a work in progress, a 25-year-old defenseman who might be ready to take the step forward the Detroit Red Wings need to be more competitive in 2014-15. Smith brings speed and boundless energy, and after closing out last season paired with Niklas Kronwall, Smith also might bring a poise that he previously lacked.

"I want to take the risky plays out," Smith said today after being on the losing end of a 3-2 shoot-out decision in the Red-White game at Centre Ice Arena on Day 3 of training camp. "I don't want there to be any risky plays. I want there to be well-timed plays. It's going to be tough — everybody gets caught, even the best players, but you have to make sure that you're making 90% of the right plays. It's hard to do, but that's something I've been learning and watching."

For years, Wings coaches — all hockey coaches, for that matter — used to tell young defensemen to watch Nicklas Lidstrom because, as Mike Babcock explained it, "the greatest skill Nick Lidstrom had was patience. He just made the right play all the time. Most of us are so busy forcing things that we turn it over."

Turning over the puck was such a Smith staple that during the 2013 playoffs, Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg joked that Smith created offense for both sides. To Smith's credit, he knows this and keeps trying to improve. That is why finishing last season opposite Kronwall was key: Smith learned something about coupling speed with smart decision-making.

"It's easy to watch Kronwall and see what he does," Smith said. "Even when sometimes it looks like he is caught, he gives a guy a little push and he's back. He's a great skater and I feel I am a great skater, and that sometimes can save us. That's something I'm learning."

Five games into last season, Smith was made a healthy scratch after being on the ice for too many goals against, re-entering the lineup only because of an injury to Kronwall. Later on, when half the team's forwards were hurt, Smith spent a game as a converted forward.

Smith vows this October — this whole season — will be better because he learned from those situations. "Just playing simple and playing my game will help me," he said. "I think what I have to do better is make sure that I don't try to chase the game — let the game come to me. That will make sure that I have a great start."

Smith is slated to appear in his first exhibition game Tuesday at Chicago, opposite Kyle Quincey. Quincey was Smith's partner for most of last season, and while both struggled

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in the first half, both looked much better in the second half, even before they were split up. From the first few days of camp, it looks as if they will be together again this season, with the expectation they will be a better pair thanks to the growth displayed the first half of 2014.

Smith also will get a chance to expand his role as he'll get plenty of exposure during the exhibition season on the power play, which is in need of point men. His chance to cement his role will come as he shows he can make plays, patiently.

"Smitty is ultracompetitive, great skater, real good support on the rush," Babcock said. "Where he gets himself in trouble is a big blunder once in a while. Well, the big blunder, when it goes in your net, is hard for you. I'm hoping the growth, for him, allows him to be confident enough just to keep making plays and playing. If he does that, he's a real good player."


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Red Wings' schedule pleases Jimmy Howard

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 1:37 a.m. EDT September 22, 2014

Traverse City — Jimmy Howard is ready to get back to a normal season.

The NHL hasn't offered one to the Red Wings the last two seasons, what with the lockout shortening the 2012-13 season, then the Olympics tightening everything last season.

"It's tough when you're playing every single night and trying to find that practice time," Howard said. "That was a little different. But it's nice to be back to a normal season. We haven't played one in a while, and I'm excited for it."

Howard also wouldn't mind having a Jimmy Howard-type of normal season statistically and in the victories column, too.

Howard was 21-19-11 with a .910 save percentage and 2.66 goals-against average, only played 51 games because of injuries, and missed the final two games of the first-round playoffs loss to Boston because of illness.

What bothered Howard most about his season?

"The inconsistency," Howard said.

"From night in to night out, it wasn't up to my standards. I set the bar pretty high for myself and I want to push that a little higher each year.

"I'm very excited. I can't wait. Like I've told you guys, this is the best I've felt in two or three years heading into training camp. I'm excited to get going."

Nobody likes seeing their season end, but one slight positive for the Red Wings is that they had four months to rest and rehabilitate, which could prove a positive.

"There's a lot of us who were banged up and trying to play through a lot of stuff," Howard said.

First exhibition

Howard will get the start tonight in Pittsburgh for the exhibition opener, playing the first two periods while Petr Mrazek plays the third. (Jonas Gustavsson will play two periods in Chicago Tuesday, with Mrazek playing the third).

The interesting aspect of tonight's lineup is that all four young defense prospects will be in the lineup against the Penguins.

Xavier Ouellet will be paired with Alexey Marchenko, while Mattias Backman and Ryan Sproul are also paired in the lineup.

Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson are listed as the top pairing.

"I'm hoping Ouellet, Marchenko, Backman and Sproul have a chance to push for jobs," coach Mike Babcock said. "That's up to them. We're going to watch eight exhibition games and see how they do."

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Up front, against the Penguins, the Red Wings will have Darren Helm-Pavel Datsyuk-Tomas Tatar; Tomas Jurco-Riley Sheahan-Daniel Cleary; Drew Miller-Joakim Andersson-Martin Frk; Jeff Hoggan-Andreas Athanasiou-Colin Campbell.

Tough start

Forward Andy Miele (Grosse Pointe North), signed over the summer as a free agent, has yet to get on the ice.

Miele, 26, is likely several weeks away from joining Grand Rapids because of sports hernia surgery.

Last season Miele played seven games with Phoenix (two assists), while spending most of the season in the minors.

"Obviously it's very exciting," Miele said of his return home. "I grew up watching the Red Wings and to be part of this, it's been a great expeience. I'm just excited to get out there and help out whatever way I can."

Miele (5-foot-8, 175-pounds) was the 2011 Hobey Baker Award winner while at Miami (Ohio).

Ice chips

Team White defeated Team Red 3-2 in a shootout in Sunday's scrimmage. Luke Glendening and Johan Franzen scored for the Red, Joakim Andersson and Hayden Hodgson for the White.

... Another sellout crowd of 1,200 attended Sunday's game, matching the big crowds the last two days and extending to last weekend's prospects tournament.

…Babcock needed five stitches on his thumb after getting cut during Saturday's alumni/celebrity game.

...There will be split squads Monday and Tuesday, with the non-traveling team working out at Centre Ice Arena. The traveling team will have a morning skate, then fly out in the afternoon.

Detroit News LOADED: 09.22.2014

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Mitch Callahan tries grind way into Wings lineup

Ted KulfanThe Detroit News 1:26 a.m. EDT September 22, 2014

Traverse City — There are a lot of NHL-caliber forwards in Red Wings camp right now, but one to keep an eye on is Mitch Callahan.

Known in the past for his fighting ability, Callahan became more of an all-around, agitating forward last season in Grand Rapids where he scored a career-high 26 goals.

The fact Callahan can score is nice. But his work ethic, ability to protect teammates, and improving defensive game are what possibly could land him a spot in the NHL.

"I'm kind of known to be an agitating, physical player," said Callahan, 23, a 2009 sixth-round draft pick. "It's kind of hard to do (in training camp). I don't want to be hitting the stars or hurting anybody in camp.

"Hopefully I can get some (exhibition) games and show that side, show I worked on may skill-set all summer, and I'm reliable defensively."

But don't be mistaken into believing Callahan (6-foot, 195-pounds) has lost his willingness to fight.

He's more than willing to energize his team and the fans that way, too.

"I fought quite a bit my first year in pro, but what (coach Jeff) Blashill told me is you're either going to be a fighter or a player that's not afraid," said Callahan, who was called up to play in one NHL game last season. "Hopefully I can be a player who can still play hockey and if I need to stick up for somebody or set the tone in any way, then I'm willing to do it."

Callahan is out of minor league options, as is Landon Ferraro, two Griffins who are looking to finally earn an NHL job.

Either could be lost on waivers, if they don't make the Red Wings out of the exhibition season.

"We like 'Calli,' he has good touch, he has grit, he knows how to play," coach Mike Babcock said. "He has to win a job. That's just the way it is. He has to have a good exhibition season. We'll give him a chance."

Callahan is probably best known to hockey fans for his Twitter picture April 2, shortly after taking a puck in the mouth on a shot by teammate Ryan Sproul, that caused Callahan to lose 10 teeth and have a broken jaw.

The picture has been retweeted almost 8,000 times.

"I had no idea it was going to explode that much," Callahan said. "I tweeted the picture to let my family and friends know I was OK because I was getting texts like crazy after the game.

"It's crazy a picture can go around that much. I didn't think it was that gruesome. To other people, it was."

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Red Wings' Jakub Kindl got too comfortable and took a step back, needs to return to 2013 form

Ansar Khan | [email protected] By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

on September 21, 2014 at 7:02 PM, updated September 21, 2014 at 7:04 PM

TRAVERSE CITY – Jakub Kindl admits he might have gotten a little too comfortable for his own good in 2013-14.

Kindl enjoyed a breakthrough year during the lockout-shortened 2013 season. It appeared as if the former first-round pick had established himself as a reliable, puck-moving defenseman.

The Detroit Red Wings thought so, signing him to a four-year, $9.6 million contract that off-season.

And then Kindl regressed.

What happened?

"I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but I know I can play better," Kindl said. "There's always things to improve on. Maybe I got a little comfortable last year because I knew I re-signed for the next four years and I thought it was going to be a little easier for me.

"But again, I wouldn't say it didn't go the way I wanted, but I could have played better.

"It's a new season, a fresh start for me and I'm very excited. I'll do whatever it takes."

What will it take for Kindl to regain his form of 2013, when he had 13 points in 41 games and was second on the team – first among defensemen – at plus-15?

"Get to the puck first," coach Mike Babcock said Sunday, following the third day of training camp at Centre I.C.E. "His whole game is about getting back and moving the puck. If he can do that and get to pucks then he's very good. If he's second to pucks then he spends too much time defending."

Kindl's competitiveness was called into question earlier in his career, when he lost too many puck battles and didn't seem to play with a lot of confidence.

That's how he appeared too often last season, when he posted a minus-4 rating in 66 games (he had two goals and 17 assists). He was a healthy scratch for 10 games during the regular season and was replaced by rookie Xavier Ouellet in the decisive Game 5 of the playoff series against Boston.

It has put his future with the organization in doubt. Kindl might have found himself on the trading block if the Red Wings had acquired a right-handed shooting defenseman.

As it is, the club has several promising defense prospects expected to be NHL-ready within two years and might not have room for all of them. One might supplant Kindl, who must improve to stick around for the long haul.

Kindl has been paired with Danny DeKeyser at camp.

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"There's always things to work on," Kindl said. "Last year there were more expectations of me. It takes so much to build yourself up, but it's so easy to fall. It's tough to stay on top of the game for 82 games.

"I'm just going to focus. I'm real excited I'm healthy. I'm 27, I went through a lot, I'm just going to enjoy it, every practice, every opportunity I get."

He has played in only 213 games but feels like he's been around a long time.

"I remember a few years ago I was the only guy (young defenseman)," Kindl said. "We had (Brian) Rafalski, Nick (Lidstrom), (Brad) Stuart. It was like 'Am I ever going to get a chance here?' Now you look around there's so many young guys."

And those young guys –Ouellet, Alexey Marchenko, Ryan Sproul and Mattias Backman – want jobs and will be pushing players like Kindl and Brian Lashoff.

"Absolutely," Kindl said. "They're good players; they played well in the minors. They look like they're ready to go and of course we're all competing for spots."

Michigan Live LOADED: 09.22.2014

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Defenseman Brendan Smith to get tryout on Red Wings' power play during preseason games

Brendan Savage | [email protected] By Brendan Savage | [email protected]


TRAVERSE CITY – Brendan Smith will get an opportunity in the preseason to show he's worthy of accepting more responsibility for the Detroit Red Wings.

Smith rarely saw any power-play time last season but coach Mike Babcock said he's going to give the fourth-year defenseman an opportunity to play with a manpower advantage during the preseason .

It was something Babcock and Smith first discussed at the end of last season.

"I have to perform and produce," said Smith, who lobbied for the opportunity. "That's a tough thing to do but if I want to make myself on the power play I got to do it. I've been anxious for the last 2½ years. For sure I've been wanting to get on the power play.

"I just have to deliver and do well and hopefully I can be there because I think I can make a difference. I think I did well even-strength and put up some pretty good points for the team. I've been on power plays before and hopefully I can continue to do that."

Smith averaged almost 17½ minutes of ice time last season but only played 10 seconds per game on the power play.

He's one of several players Babcock is going to try on the power play during the eight-game exhibition schedule.

Babcock likes what he's seen from Smith during the first three days of training camp.

"What I like about what I've seen out of him in camp is that I haven't seen him (stand out for the wrong reasons)," Babcock said. "Smitty is ultra competitive, great skater, I think real good support in the rush. Where he gets himself in trouble is a big blunder once in a while. Well, the big blunder when it goes in your net is hard for you.

"What I like about him, in two days I haven't seen one of those blunders. The greatest skill Nick Lidstrom had was patience. He just made the right play all the time and when it came, he made the play. Most of us are so busy forcing things that we turn it over.

"I'm hoping the growth for (Smith) allows him to be confident enough to keep making plays and play and if he does that he's a real good player."

Smith had five goals and 14 points in 71 games last season with one of the goals coming on a power play. That was his lone power-play point. It was also his only power-play goal among the six he's scored in 119 career NHL games.

But Smith if confident he can produce in the new role because he was effective on the power play during three seasons in Grand Rapids.

He bagged 11 of his 27 goals during three AHL seasons while the Griffins had a manpower advantage.

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"Actually, when I did get a little bit of power play time I put up some points so we kind of talked about it," Smith said. "He's going to see how I do in preseason and then try me out. That'll be the competition level. When he gives me a chance in the preseason, I have to perform and produce.

"That's a tough thing to do but if I want to make myself on the power play I got to do it."

Smith isn't in the lineup for Monday's preseason opener in Pittsburgh but he'll suit up Tuesday when the Red Wings visit Chicago.


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Red Wings' top four defense prospects in the lineup for Monday's preseason opener at Pittsburgh



TRAVERSE CITY – The four young defensemen hoping to earn a roster spot this season with the Detroit Red Wings will be in the lineup Monday for the preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Center (7 p.m.).

Xavier Ouellet will be paired with Alexey Marchenko and Mattias Backman will play with Ryan Sproul. It will be Backman's first career preseason game.

General manager Ken Holland said the young defensemen have looked good during three days of training camp at Centre I.C.E., but added, "I think we're going to evaluate them in preseason against other NHL teams. I think the first three days is an opportunity for the players to get comfortable. When you start playing other teams, we'll start evaluating again. We got 2½ -3 weeks here to see what they can do.

"Some of those players, can they play 80 games, can they crack our roster, do they need another half a year in the American Hockey League? That's what we're going to evaluate here."

Coach Mike Babcock said Jimmy Howard will play the first two periods and Petr Mrazek will play the third. On Tuesday in Chicago, Jonas Gustavsson will play the first two periods and Mrazek the third.

Here are the lines and defense pairs for Monday's game:

Darren Helm-Pavel Datsyuk-Tomas Tatar

Tomas Jurco-Riley Sheahan-Daniel Cleary

Drew Miller-Joakim Andersson-Martin Frk

Jeff Hoggan-Andreas Athanasiou-Colin Campbell

Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson

Xavier Ouellet-Alexey Marchenko

Mattias Backman-Ryan Sproul

Jimmy Howard (first two periods)

Petr Mrazek (third period)


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Photos: White team wins Red Wings training camp scrimmage 3-2 in shootout

Brendan Savage | [email protected] By Brendan Savage | [email protected]


TRAVERSE CITY – Tomas Tatar and Joakim Andersson scored shootout goals Sunday to give Team White a 3-2 shootout victory over Team Red in theDetroit Red Wings annual training camp scrimmage.

Johan Franzen scored for Team Red in the shootout.

Jared Coreau was the winning goalie after stopping 13 off 14 shots in the second half – the game was played with two 25-minute periods and a running clock – before turning aside five of six in the shootout.

Jonas Gustavsson started in goal for the Red team and stopped seven of eight shots before giving way to Tom McCollum, who made 10 saves in regulation and four in the shootout.

Andersson and Hayden Hodgson scored in regulation for the White team. Jimmy Howard started in goal for the White and made five saves before being relieved by Coreau.

Luke Glendening and Franzen scored in regulation for the Red.

Red Wings training camp scrimmage White team won 3-2 in shootout

Franzen scored with about 10 seconds left in regulation to force the shootout after the Red had pulled McCollum for an extra attacker.

The game was played before a standing-room only crowd of about 1,200 at Centre I.C.E. Arena, where the Red Wings will conclude training camp Tuesday.


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Detroit Red Wings' promising defense prospects looking to show their time is now, compete for jobs


on September 21, 2014 at 6:03 AM, updated September 21, 2014 at 12:37 PM

TRAVERSE CITY – A group of talented, young forwards stepped up big for the injury-plagued Detroit Red Wings last season.

Might they receive a similar boost in 2014-15 from one or more of the promising young defensemen in the system?

Probably not at the start, but at some point during the year the Red Wings will be calling on Xavier Ouellet, Alexey Marchenko and/or Ryan Sproul. All three believe they are NHL-ready after one season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The club also is high on Mattias Backman, a Swede poised for his first full season in North America.

But the Red Wings have seven established NHL defensemen, making it difficult for a rookie to break through regardless of how good he looks at training camp.

"I'm hoping Ouellet, Marchenko, Backman and Sproul all have a chance to push for jobs," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "That's up to them. We're going to watch them for eight exhibitions and see how they do.

"Their skill set ideally will give them opportunity if they're mentally mature enough in their development, and if they've developed enough they should be pushing. If they're not, then they've got to go to Grand Rapids."

They're not just competing with NHL players, they're competing against each other to be first in line to get called up during the season.

It's a friendly competition.

"All of us are good buddies for the most part," Sproul said. "The competition is there obviously, the inner competition is something that we don't show because we all are friends. It's tough, but at the same time it's nice to have those guys around."

Said Marchenko: "That's good for the team, even good for us because we're competing against each other, we're getting better. They're really good guys and everyone has something to offer for the team -- someone can move the puck, someone can defend. We can learn from each other."

Ouellet (6-0, 200) is a good two-way player; he's responsible defensively and can move the puck. Marchenko (6-2, 212) is a strong stay-at-home defender with decent size and a right-handed shot. Sproul (6-4, 205) is an offensive threat, a terrific skater with size and a booming right-handed shot.

Ouellet appears to be the most NHL-ready. He played four regular season games with the Red Wings and was trusted to play in the decisive Game 5 of the playoff series against Boston – in place of Jakub Kindl.

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"It was a great feeling, great this experience," Ouellet said. "I realized that I could play. I think I'm ready and I did what I could this summer to get ready for the season."

Ouellet said he must simply be reliable.

"I want the coaches to trust me, put me on the ice in any situation," Ouellet said. "I think that's how I'm going to make the team and gain some ice time and start playing as a regular in this league."

Griffins coach Jeff Blashill said of Ouellet: "Detroit has been real high on him. I know Babs has been real high on him. When he started with us (in Grand Rapids), he struggled a little bit early but by the playoffs he was one of our best defensemen. He is somebody who can handle the pressure of the forecheck."

Ouellet worked his skating this summer in order to get quicker and more agile.

"I feel a lot better on the ice skating, and I got stronger," he said. "I think that's going to help elevate my game."

Marchenko's season ended in late February due to ankle surgery. He's been skating for several weeks and said he believes he is back at full strength.

"I think I'm real close to the level of skating I was before I was injured," Marchenko said. "I want to get onto the ice and play the game, just to feel that I can play again, and just be even better than I was.

"I just want to play safe defensively and take care of the puck and help the team win,"

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland likened Marchenko, who appeared in one game for Detroit (Jan. 4), to Brad Stuart.

"I thought Marchy was arguably one of our best defensemen all year until he got hurt," Blashill said. "I'd be interested myself to see how Marchy handles that high ankle sprain. It's a tough injury coming into camp because I thought he was somebody who might have been the leader heading into main camp had he not got hurt, in terms of earning a spot in Detroit."

Sproul is by far the most offensively gifted of the group.

"The reason I got drafted was for my offensive ability," Sproul said. "I've worked a lot on my defense the last couple of years. That's something I need to be reliable on, too. I want to make sure they know I can play defense as well as offense."

Blashill said of Sproul: "I think Sprouly has unreal dynamics, can skate, can shoot it. And he's blessed with those great abilities, so when he was a younger player he could just get the puck and go. Now he's had to learn in a tough league how to do all the things it takes because there's so many good players. I think his progress has been great and I think he's going to continue to progress because he cares and he wants to get better."

Ouellet, Marchenko, Sproul, Backman and another promising defenseman, Nick Jensen, all have up to two more years of waiver-exempt status. They have time to further develop.

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"We added a lot of depth up front last year. We'd like to do the same on the back but they have to be ready," Babcock said. "We're not rushing that process, so when they're ready they'll let us know with their play."


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Notes: Cleary optimistic despite disappointing last season

ANDREA NELSON

FOX Sports Detroit

SEP 21, 2014 3:24p ET

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Daniel Cleary isn't blind to the criticism surrounding his re-signing with the Detroit Red Wings this offseason.

But after spending his summer training to improve knee issues that have bothered him for years, Cleary has a positive outlook for the upcoming season.

"It's hard to play in the NHL if you're not going full speed, all cylinders going," Cleary said. "I feel that I've put myself in a good position to be as healthy as I can. Now I've just got to go out and put the work in and see how things go."

Cleary began training one week after the Wings' season ended, and put in the necessary work to make sure he entered training camp as healthy as possible. After three days of training camp, he's still mostly pain-free, which is a lot more than he could say about last year.

"There's a lot of things you guys don't ever hear about or know," Cleary explained. "It was bothersome the whole summer last summer and then going into camp wasn't where it needed to be. I paid the price for it."

To say the least.

Cleary appeared in just 52 games with the Wings during the 2013-14 season, earning four goals and four assists, as well as a -11 plus-minus. He made his final appearance of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 28.

Last year's point total was the lowest of Cleary's nine-year career with the Wings.

Still, general manager Ken Holland kept his word when he promised to take care of Cleary after he re-signed with the Wings for less money last season, and Cleary will wear the Winged Wheel for at least one more year.

"He's training really hard," said coach Mike Babcock. "He's done everything he possibly can. Is his leg up to speed? I thought he looked good this morning. Is his agility there? The same as everyone else: We're going to watch him."

With a host of young talent vying for a roster spot, Cleary knows he has to earn his place in the Wings' lineup.

"You want to pay well and be a good teammate and you want win as a team," Cleary said. "Anytime that your team doesn't do as well as it's supposed to you take it personally. I've certainly taken that upon myself to make sure that I play better."

foxsports.com LOADED: 09.22.2014

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Johan Franzen fit, showing signs of renewed energy

Helene St. James, 3:37 a.m. EDT September 21, 2014

TRAVERSE CITY – A fit Mule ready to embrace his role as a go-to guy? It's music to the ears of the Red Wings.

Johan Franzen, often press-averse, practically skipped to the designated media area at Centre Ice Arena on Saturday, demanding questions. Two days into training camp, Franzen is showing that energetic side the Wings love but lament not seeing often enough on the ice.

"Mule has been a hot-and-cold player," coach Mike Babcock said, repeating an oft-cited comment. "I think he has the ability to be a hot player, period. The difference in consistency is that on-it every day, every day, every day, digging in. It's not skill set. But Mule is a good player in our league. He scores goals for us. We're optimistic with all the off-season training he's done that he can be more consistent offensively this year."

Best of all, it sounds like Franzen is of a similar mind-set. He said he wants to use his 6-foot-3, 220-pound size "not to run guys over, but using my size, for sure." On being a consistent scorer, he said, "I usually take them as they come. I usually worry about the other parts of the game. But I want to be a factor up front. I'm one of the guys that should score. I want to get off to a good start. When you're scoring, you feel very light on your skates and you're flying out there."

Franzen spent the first days of camp on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Daniel Cleary; that trio might not stay intact, but Franzen is a top-six stalwart and power-play regular. He had 16 goals in 54 games last season. It's hard to think he wouldn't have hit at least 20 had he not again had to deal with a head injury. He's got a history of those, but Franzen said it's not something he worries about, even as concussions have taken center stage in the NHL and NFL. He has added a visor, but more as a shield when he goes into corners.

At 35, Franzen seems fitter and happier than he has in previous camps.

"I feel great," he said. "I'm really looking forward to playing, too."


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Host of young defensemen aim for Red Wings roster


TRAVERSE CITY – The tests start coming now for the next generation of Detroit Red Wings defenders.

A season after a handful of young forwards bailed out a squad reeling from injuries, the attention has shifted to whether any of the defense prospects can boost the back end, maybe even this autumn. Alexey Marchkenko, Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul and Mattias Hackman top the depth chart, and one of their biggest fans is the man behind the bench in Detroit.

"I'm hoping Ouellet, Marchenko, Backman and Sproul all have a chance to push for jobs," coach Mike Babcock said Saturday after Day2 of training camp. "We're going to watch them for eight exhibition games and then we're going to see how they do.

"You've got to be good enough to play. All I'm doing is watching. Their skill set ideally will give them opportunity. If they're mentally mature enough, in their development, and they've developed enough, then they should be pushing. If not, they've got to go to Grand Rapids."

Of the four, Ouellet, 21, is the most balanced all-around player. He was the player the Wings looked to when they wanted more from their defense for Game 5 of the Boston series last spring, inserting Ouellet over far more NHL-experienced Jakub Kindl. Sproul, 21, has the most potential offensive upside. Marchenko, 22, was ahead of everyone else until a high-ankle sprain derailed his progress last season, during the second half of what was an AHL All-Star showing. Backman, 22 next month, has good defensive instincts and moves the puck well.

Together, they're considered the defensive equivalent of the batch of forwards who came up from Grand Rapids and ably plugged the massive holes left as injuries roiled the regular forward corps — players by the names of Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Jurco, Riley Sheahan and Luke Glendening.

"We added a lot of depth up front last year. We'd like to do the same on the back, but they have to be ready," Babcock said. "We're not rushing that process. When they're ready, they'll let us know with their play."

Marchenko said he has recovered from his injury to the point that he no longer thinks about it, which is a positive. He claims there's no second-guessing physical play, though that will be more evident once he gets into exhibition games. Those begin Monday, so the Wings are wrapping up the intrasquad part of training camp today at Centre Ice with the Red and White game. Physicality against teammates is frowned upon.

Marchenko, 6-2 and 210-plus pounds, appeared in one game for the Wings last season, but he might well have gotten more looks after Jonathan Ericsson was lost to a broken finger had Marchenko been healthy. He rose through the ranks in his native Russia to

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reach the KHL before coming to North America, and plays the type of safe game where he doesn't hurt a team with bad decisions.

For a player drafted in the seventh round, 205th overall, Marchenko already has shown he was a great pick, and now he's ready to make a claim for a Detroit uniform.

"I hope it's going to be a good year," Marchenko said. "I know to adjust to the game and show what I can. I got good experience, I see how the guys play, how they work out after game. I know what I need to do to get to NHL."

Like Marchenko, Sproul shoots right, something the Wings lack entirely on their back end. Sproul also has a size advantage, being 6-4 and topping 205 pounds. He can skate and has a wicked shot, hinting strongly at the possibility he might be a future top-four defenseman. Backman is the least known quantity, and one of the first things he needs to do is add bulk to his 6-2, 170-pound frame — a common task for players coming over from Europe.

It's hard to win with young defensemen because defense is a difficult position to play. If there are no injuries on the back end over the next three weeks, all four prospects are most likely headed to Grand Rapids — but all four show promise they'll soon be ready to join the forwards who not long ago made the move to Detroit.


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After 'very bad summer,' Howe showing personality again

Helene St. James, 9:55 p.m. EDT September 20, 2014

TRAVERSE CITY – After a summer where it looked like the end was painfully near, Gordie Howe has rebounded in health and humor.

Son Mark Howe spent part of Saturday afternoon searching for someone to fix his iPad, specifically, to get FaceTime up and running, because this is the only way he can communicate with his dad when the two are apart. Mark is in Traverse City in his role as scout for the Detroit Red Wings, while Gordie is in Lubbock, Texas, being taken care of by his daughter, Cathy, and her husband, Bob. Gordie, 86, suffers from dementia, and was in such poor shape that in late August, he had outpatient surgery to help with spinal stenosis (an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal), which had rendered him in debilitating pain.

"He had a very bad summer," Mark said. "Weekly, I would send updates to my brothers and sister and my dad's friends, let them know.

"It was pretty discouraging, pretty disheartening. If the surgery didn't help, and he didn't respond to it, then ... it wasn't good. There wasn't anything good going to come out of it."

True to the tremendous warrior spirit he showed as a world-class player for three decades, Gordie Howe has battled back, enough so that he's walking again. "He was in a swimming pool three days ago," Mark said. "I talked to him about a week ago, and he's got his sense of humor back, his personality back, so I'm pretty encouraged by that."

The encouragement is measured, though, because there was a seizure 10 days ago, and "he's had little mini strokes," Mark said. "There are days he's totally out of it mentally, and then he'd start getting back into it. Things are progressively getting worse for him, but I can live with that, that's part of life."

The harder part was three weeks ago, when Gordie was staying with Mark, and "every night I put him to bed," Mark said, "he was suffering so bad. Thank God, the surgery helped and got him out of that pain stage, anyway."

Mark, 59, saw how dementia destroyed his mother, Colleen, who was married to to Gordie for 55 years. She passed away five years ago from Pick's disease, a neurological condition that causes dementia.

"She really didn't recognize anyone at the end," Mark said. He's grateful that these days, he can help spur his dad's memory thanks to being able to communicate face-to-face via computer or tablet. "If you just call Dad on the phone," Mark said, "he has no interest in talking. When he can see you, it makes a big difference."

Like his father, Mark is in the Hockey Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2011, 39 years after Gordie. Just how much of a lasting impact Gordie made was exemplified a

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few years back when Mark boarded a plane from Phoenix to Anaheim, and happened to be seated next to Alice Cooper, the Detroit-born rock singer.

"I was wearing a Wings t-shirt, so he started talking about how he grew up with Gordie Howe," Mark said. "I told him, so did I."


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Babcock leery of early assessments; likes Wings' depth


TRAVERSE CITY –– Mike Babcock has a lament.

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about stuff in the summer," he said, "because it never, ever works out."

So says a man who would know. The latest example was drawn up Friday as the Detroit Red Wings took the ice at Centre Ice Arena for the first day of training camp. Where prospect Anthony Mantha should have been, Tomas Tatar was instead. All of Babcock's talk about seeing Mantha next to Pavel Datsyuk didn't work out because Mantha is out 6-8 weeks with a fractured tibia.

The regular season is three weeks away, and by then, plans discussed now might not work out. But as the 2014-15 seasons dawns, Babcock likes the depth the Wings have, not just up front but on defense and in goal. Babcock is convinced that "our team is not going to fall off at all."

The lines for these first few days of camp aren't about much more than fanning enough regulars across three squads to have some semblance of equality during scrimmages. Still, Babcock did get to see Darren Helm on one of Datsyuk's wings, as was Babcock's wish, and Tatar was thrilled to get a look on the other side.

It's not a line that would look out of place in the regular season. Datsyuk remains a world-class player in his mid-30s, and in Helm and Tatar, Datsyuk would be between two high-energy wingers. Helm is the fastest skater on the team, and Tatar has a scorer's instincts that can't be taught.

For Helm, being on the line is all the more satisfying in what is, amazingly, his first training camp in three seasons. The 2013 event was missed because of back pain; last year he was sidelined by injuries that eventually cost him 40 games throughout the regular season. For the first time since 2012, Helm looks to be a regular contributor.

"I said a long time ago, I thought Helmer was a heck of a player," Babcock said. "We'd like to get him back to a level that he's reckless again and physical and hard. Part of that is health, but part of that is just attitude, too."

Helm's immediate attitude is to stick with that Pav guy.

"I hope it's not just a stint," he said. "To play with him is a lot of fun. I'm just hoping to add whatever I can."

The 42 games Helm did appear in last season, he said, boosted his confidence.

"Those games were encouraging. I thought I did good things. That was a good step for me last year. I just have to keep it rolling for this year."

Helm, 27, is playing in a role previously occupied by Justin Abdelkader — but Helm's fleet feet should make defenders a little warier and give Datsyuk and Tatar a little more

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room. Part of what makes Tatar fun to watch is his fearlessness in going to the net, even as nearly every defender is bigger.

"He's a fun guy, brings a lot of energy to the dressing room," Helm said. "Great to play with. When you're around Tats, you can never have a hard time smiling or feeling good."

Tatar himself smiled maybe a little bit wider because it's not as if Babcock didn't have other choices in selecting a new probational winger for Datsyuk.

"He's the magic man, so I'm just having my stick on the ice and hopefully the puck will find me," Tatar said. "Helmer is like a plane, he's flying out there. I think it can be good chemistry. We'll work on it during camp, and hopefully we'll find our way to play good together."

Where Helm enters this camp in good health, Tatar, 23, enters in good standing. He was in and mostly out of the lineup last October, but the noise he made when he got in — 19 goals in 73 games — means no more roster silence.

"He works hard, he competes hard, he's got an infectious personality," Babcock said. "He's got a skill set. He gets open, he makes good plays. He's a good player."

It's the early days, still, and there'll be so much more to talk about for the Red Wings. But even as one plan went nowhere, another one developed, with promise.


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Wings' Johan Franzen aims to be healthy, and slump-free

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 7:26 p.m. EDT September 20, 2014

Traverse City — Few players are as anxious to get the season started as Johan Franzen.

Franzen was one of the first players to arrive at Joe Louis Arena for the conditioning skates a few weeks back, and he's been on the ice nearly every day since, getting ready. Oct. 9, and the start of the regular season, can't arrive soon enough.

"I'm feeling great," said Franzen, who had a concussion among other injuries last season, but is healthy now. "I'm really looking forward to playing. I like the guys we have on our team and I think we can have a good year.

"I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited about playing."

Coming off a down season offensively, Franzen is looking to atone for the drop-off. ranzen had 16 goals and 25 assists in 54 games last season, then went scoreless in the five-game playoff loss to Boston.

Always a lightning rod with Red Wings fans for his streaky play, the frustration among fans reached new heights last spring.

But the Red Wings are confident Franzen can be a force this season.

"Mule has been a hot and cold player," coach Mike Babcock said. "He can be a hot player, period. Consistency is being on it every day, every day, and building on it. It's not skill set.

"That's the challenge for the Mule. He's a good player in our league. He scores goals for us. We're optimistic with all the off-season training he's done, he can be more consistent offensively this year."

Franzen, 34, knows he must increase his goal-scoring, and use his 6-foot-3, 223-pound frame, for the Red Wings to be successful.

"Not running guys over, but using my size getting to the net and staying at the net," Franzen said. "I'm going to try to score. I want to be a factor. We want to spread it out, but I'm one of the guys who should score.

"I want to get off to a good start and be the best I can be."

Babcock and Kronwall talk about camp and the upcoming season.

One of the veterans on the Red Wings these days, Franzen's dedication and conditioning level don't surprise his teammates.

"He's one of our leaders, one of our best players," forward Gustav Nyquist said. "We need him to be good to have success with this team."

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With four entire months to recuperate after the playoff loss, Franzen used the time off to his benefit. He got his mind and body away from hockey, but trained religiously. Franzen has come into training camp in some of the best shape of his career.

But just being away from the game left an impact.

"Getting knocked out (of the playoffs) early, it was one of the longer vacations I've had in a long time," Franzen said. "It's been a long time since we played. I've been healthy all summer and I was able to work out all summer. No complaints.

"I really missed hockey."


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Knee better, Wings have high hopes for Daniel Cleary


Traverse City — Baby steps. It's only been two days. But the work Daniel Cleary put in over the summer could be paying off.

After extensive training and rehabilitation, Cleary has strengthened the left knee that has given him so much trouble the past couple seasons. And on Saturday, Cleary was skating on a line with Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg during workouts, and skating as well as he had in a long time.

"A good two days," Cleary said. "I put in the work to get it where it needs to be, so that's a good sign. It's put me in a better position to move on the ice, and more pain free.

"It's a good feeling."

When the Red Wings re-signed Cleary, 35, to a one-year contract in July, there was frustration among fans who felt loyalty to a veteran player wasn't a prudent move.

But the Red Wings still feel Cleary can be an asset if he's healthy.

"Way better," coach Mike Babcock said of how Cleary has been skating. "He's trained hard. He's done everything he possibly can. Is his leg up to speed? He looked good this morning. Is his agility there? It's like the same as everyone else. We're going to watch."

Said Franzen: "He looks good, strong."

Franzen, Zetterberg and Cleary have been skating either together, or in combinations of two, for the last 10 seasons they've been teammates. Playing on a line centered by Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk always is a thrill in Cleary's mind.

"Anytime you get to play with Z or Pavel it's like winning the lottery," said Cleary, who has switched from number 71 to 17 this season. "I've played with Z and Mule over the last 10 years. There's familiarity."

Babcock and Kronwall talk about camp and the upcoming season.

Senior citizen

Datsyuk and young defenseman Alexey Marchenko are the lone Russians on the Red Wings roster these days, but the two don't spend much time together.

One reason, there's the age difference. Datsyuk is 36 and Marchenko 22.

"We spend some time together, but it's not like he's my father," Marchenko said. "I cannot be with him all the time. Sometimes he invites me to dinner and it's a good time.

"It's good there's another Russian guy (on the team), and especially such a great player. He can give advice."

Tired of analytics

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The talk of the summer in the NHL was analytics, and the increased use of them. Statistical experts have been hired by teams — the Red Wings are looking into it — as everyone looks for that elusive competitive edge.

Babcock likes the added information, but is getting tired of the constant attention to it.

"Do we really have to go there?" Babcock said. "There's a real emphasis to do more. We're going to make sure we do our part and make sure we're cutting edge. In saying all that, it's kind of a like a catchphrase. It's sexy for a while until the next (big thing). I'm looking forward to the next one."

Scrimmage time

In Saturday's scrimmage, Team Delvecchio defeated Team Lindsay, 4-0. Colin Campbell, Tomas Tatar, Joe Hicketts and Teemu Pulkinnen scored goals. Jimmy Howard stopped 10 shots in the victory.


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Red Wings' Tomas Tatar has sense of belonging this year

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 7:37 a.m. EDT September 20, 2014

Traverse City — This time last year Tomas Tatar wasn't completely sure he'd be on the Red Wings.

There was the chance the Red Wings would expose Tatar to waivers and maybe he would find himself on another NHL team.

The Red Wings, of course, did keep Tatar. And they were rewarded with a 19-goal season and the look of a player who can do even better.

This training camp feels a lot different for Tatar, who earned a three-year contract worth $8.25 million over the summer.

"I feel much more different," said Tatar, who also went through a series of healthy scratches early last season, patiently awaiting his opportunity to play. "I tried to come to camp last season and get ready, battle for a spot, and I knew I could do that. I was confident in myself and with a little luck, and the help of my teammates, I made the team and I was happy to get the chance.

"I can tell you it wasn't easy to stay with it (early in the season). But guys helped me a lot. This group of guys is spectacular. Just to have them in the locker room and talking with them, I learned a lot and stayed with it and my chance came and I grabbed it."

Tatar found himself on a wing on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm during Friday's workouts.

Tatar's spot was originally held by Anthony Mantha, until the top prospect broke his right tibia earlier in the week.

"It was fun to be sure to be on the top line and I'm enjoying it," Tatar said. "He's (Datsyuk) the Magic Man. I just have to have to my stick on the ice and hope the puck will find me."

Back on the ice

Stephen Weiss took part in the intra-squad scrimmage, his first hockey action since January.

"I felt pretty good, I'm just happy to get back on the ice," Weiss said.

If Weiss can produce the type of offense he's done in Florida, it would be a needed boost for the Red Wings, who could keep Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg together.

"It's great to see him healthy and have an honest chance to show what he can do," Zetterberg said of watching Weiss play. "He's a great player, we all know that. He had a tough year but looks great out there and he'll have a good year for us.

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"It gives us so many options, what we can do with our centermen, with our lines. We had a lot of different ideas last year on how we'd set up our lines. Then (Riley) Sheahan coming up and (Luke) Glendening playing good. Now having Weiss (healthy).

"We have a lot of different options for the top nine forwards."

Fewer shootouts

Most players feel there will be fewer games decided by shootouts this season by way of the new rule stating teams will switch sides for the overtime — rather than keeping them on the same side as the third period ."A lot of games will not go to the shootout," Zetterberg said. "If you have the 4-on-4 and the long change, you will get caught (on the change).

"There is so much more room 4-on-4. When you have the puck and the other team is tired, you'll get goals."


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Red Wings' Johan Franzen energized and excited after good off-season training, aims for consistency

Ansar Khan on September 20, 2014 at 6:01 PM, updated September 21, 2014 at 1:13 AM

TRAVERSE CITY – Johan Franzen altered his off-season training routine, opting for shorter, higher-intensity workouts.

The results were evident during the first day of Detroit Red Wings training camp. Franzen easily won the stationary bike test, pedaling longer and harder than any of his teammates.

"I saw his test and it's pretty crazy what he can do," Gustav Nyquist said. "Mule had an unbelievable bike test."

Franzen said he feels better than he did last season. He's more energized and he's excited for 2014-15.

The Red Wings hope a more physically fit and mentally engaged Franzen translates into a more dangerous and consistent Franzen on the ice.

"I thought Mule looked real good today," coach Mike Babcock said Saturday, after the second day of camp at Centre I.C.E. "Mule has been a hot and cold player. I think he has the ability to be a hot player, period. The difference in consistency is that you're on it every day, every day, every day, digging in. It's no skill-set.

"So that's the challenge for the Mule. But Mule is a good player. He scores goals for us. We're optimistic with all the off-season training he's done -- he's done an unbelievable job – that he can be more consistent offensively this year."

Consistency has been an issue with Franzen for years. He can dominate for stretches, looking like a premier power forward, but then, as if somebody flipped a switch, he disappears for weeks, having little impact in games.

He is determined to change that.

"Consistent. Come out to play every game," Franzen said. "That's a good goal.

"I just got to be strong mentally, make sure you're as focused as you can be."

He lacked focus early and late last season. He registered just two goals and five points in his first 13 games and produced only one goal and nine points in his final 23 games, including the playoffs. But he was red-hot from Nov. 12 to March 7, with 13 goals and 29 points in 23 games (he missed 22 games during that stretch due to a concussion).

"I want to be a factor up front," Franzen said. "We want to spread (the scoring) out, but still I want to be one of the guys that scores. I want to get off to a good start and help the team as best I can.

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"When you're scoring you feel very light on your skates, you're flying out there. ... You don't know what the key is, but it's definitely a part of it, skating, being in the right spots, doing things right, good teammates, everything."

Franzen wants to use his 6-foot-3, 223-pound frame more effectively.

"Not running guys over but use my size getting to the net and staying at the net," said Franzen, who will wear a visor to be better equipped for battles in the corners.

He said he's still at the same weight but feels quicker.

"I used to do a lot of running, just grinding and grinding, go for like six-miles runs," Franzen said. "I haven't done that this year. I'm doing shorter stuff, higher intensity. More quickness, more explosive stuff. I'm just trying to get stronger and quicker. A little bit more focused workout."

Why the change at age 34?

"I'm just older, got to keep up with the kids," Franzen said. "When you're younger you automatically have that recovery. The older you get the harder you have to work."

Teammates are glad to hear this.

"He's one of our leaders and one of our best players," Nyquist said. "We need him to be good to have success. I've never really been worried about Mule's fitness; I think he's always been in great shape as long as I've been here."


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So far, so good for Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary in bid to return from chronic knee issues

Brendan Savage | on September 20, 2014 at 3:36 PM, updated September 20, 2014 at 3:41 PM

TRAVERSE CITY – Daniel Cleary still has a long way to go until he proves that his problematic knee is ready for the grind of an NHL season and that he's worthy of a spot in the Detroit Red Wings lineup.

But after two days of training camp, Cleary is optimistic his troubles are a thing of the past.

"I feel good. It was a good two days," Cleary said Saturday afternoon at Centre I.CE. Arena. "I put in the work to get it where it needs to be so that's a good sign. It's put me in a lot better position to move on the ice more freely and more pain free. To be honest with you, it's a good feeling.

"Mentally, it's a huge thing. That obstacle of getting through your mind that you can move out there freely, be able to skate normal, be quick, that's was a good thing for me. Now we just gotta be confident in our ability and go do it."

Cleary, 35, said the knee gave him problems beginning in training camp last year before he went on to have his least productive season in nine years with the Red Wings.

He was limited to 52 games because of chronic knee issues and didn't appear play after Jan. 28, finishing with four goals among eight points, his fewest for a full season since breaking into the NHL in 1997-98.

General manager Ken Holland re-signed Cleary to fulfill a promise he made a year ago, when Cleary took less money to remain in Detroit.

But coach Mike Babcock has said Cleary will have to earn a spot in the lineup.

"I thought way better," Babcock said when asked how Cleary has looked in camp. "He's trained really hard. He's done everything he possibly can. Is his leg up to speed? I thought he looked good this morning. Is his agility there? The same as everyone else: We're going to watch him."

Cleary has been skating on a line with captain Henrik Zetterberg and veteran Johan Franzen.

"He looks good," Franzen said. "He looks strong."

• Alexey Marchenko is one of the young defensemen who is looking to impress the Red Wings brass during training camp after playing one NHL game a year ago.

Marchenko drew a laugh from the press corps after being asked about fellow Russian Pavel Datsyuk and whether he seeks advice from the Red Wings forward.

"We spend some time together. But he's not my father," joked Marchenko, who says he's full recovered from ankle surgery. "I cannot be the whole time with him. Sometimes

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he asks me to go for dinner. It's good time. It's good that there's another Russian guy (on the team), especially such a great player.

"He can make advice on what to do."

• Babcock apparently isn't a fan of hockey analytics.

"Do we really have to go here?" Babcock asked when the subject was brought up Saturday. "There's a real emphasis to do more. We're going to make sure we do our part to make sure we're cutting edge. In saying all that, though, it's kind of like a catch phrase. It's sexy for a while until the next one. So I'm looking forward to the next one."

• Franzen has been wearing a visor in training camp. How come?

"I felt like it," Franzen said before explaining his reasoning. "It won't protect from concussions but I put it on for battles in the corners and stuff. A lot of times you don't have a visor, it's more of a protection from the sides actually, physical into the glass and stuff."

• Cleary wore No. 11 with the Red Wings until Daniel Alfredsson over the number after signing in Detroit last year, when Cleary had yet to re-sign. Cleary wore No. 71 last season but has switched to No. 17 in training camp.

• In Satuday's scrimmage, Team Delvecchio beat Team Lindsay 4-0 behind goals by Colin Campbell, Tomas Tatar, Joe Hicketts and Teemu Pulkkinnen. Danny DeKeyser added two assists.

Jimmy Howard stopped all 10 shots he faced in the victory while Petr Mrazek made six saves in the loss.


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Red Wings celebrity/alumni game to include Chris Chelios, Mark Howe and Mike Babcock

Brendan Savage | on September 20, 2014 at 11:20 AM, updated September 20, 2014 at 11:24 AM

Hall of Fame defensemen Chris Chelios and Mark Howe, coach Mike Babcock and general manager Ken Holland headline the rosters for tonight's Detroit Red Wings training camp celebrity/alumni at Centre I.C.E. Arena.

Chelios, Howe and Holland will play on a team that also includes Chris Osgood, TV broadcaster Ken Daniels, Dallas Drake, scout Hakan Andersson and assistant coaches Andrew Brewer and Tony Granato.

Babcock's team includes Jiri Fischer, Kris Draper, Joey Kocur, Kirk Maltby, assistant G.M. Ryan Martin, Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill and radio broadcaster Ken Kal.

The game begins at 7 p.m. The jerseys each team wears will be auctioned after with proceeds going to the non-profit organization that runs Centre I.C.E.


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Job security makes Red Wings' Tomas Tatar more confident, comfortable in training camp

Brendan Savage | on September 20, 2014 at 6:06 AM, updated September 20, 2014 at 9:28 AM

TRAVERSE CITY – About the only uncertainty Tomas Tatar is dealing with in training camp this year is learning which line he's going to play on with the Detroit Red Wings.

Tatar is a big part of the Red Wings plans after scoring 19 goals and finishing sixth on the team with 39 points during his first full NHL season and that's a big change from a year ago.

Because the Red Wings had a glut of forwards, Tatar had to fight to make team out of training camp despite four solid seasons in Grand Rapids. When he did open the season with Detroit, it was as an extra forward until injuries finally provided him with ice time.

He took advantage of the opportunity and with job security this season, Tatar is more confident than ever entering the new season as important piece of the Red Wings' offense.

"I'm trying to battle for the best spot right now," Tatar said Friday on the opening day of training camp at Centre I.C.E. Arena. "Obviously it's a little different. I know what this is about and I think last year for me was really hard. I'm really happy I went through it so now I know what it feels like in those situations and now I feel more comfortable.

"This year, I'm trying to stay more focused on the system around me, trying to help this team as much as I can to make it as far as we can. We want to go far this year. We want to play good and make the fans happy.

Coach Mike Babcock used Tatar on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm during the first workout of camp. The Red Wings had planned to put rookie Anthony Mantha on that line but Tatar took that spot when the club's No.1 prospect suffered a fractured tibia that will sideline him for 6-8 weeks.

Datsyuk is "the magic man so I'm just (keeping) my stick on the ice and hopefully the puck will find me somewhere from him," Tatar said. "Helmer is like a plane. He's flying out there.

"It's going to be good chemistry and we'll work on it during the camp and hopefully we'll find our way to play good together."

Tatar is one of the players whose performance last season led Babcock to say the club would no longer give veterans the benefit of the doubt in roster battles with younger players.

"He has an infectious personality, he's got a skill set, he gets open, he makes plays, he's a good player," Babcock said. "We know Pav and (Henrik Zetterberg) are good players. We need more guys that are high-end players. You need high-end players.

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"We have great depth in our organization, there's no question. Our team's not going to fall off at all but we could use some more top-six forwards."

• Helm, who has battled injuries for the past three seasons, is happy to finally be healthy entering a new season and enjoyed skating alongside Datsyuk and Tatar in Friday's practice.

He's one of the fastest Red Wings and his speed could make that a dangerous line if Babcock keeps the trio together.

"I think so," Helm said. "Make it a little harder on defensemen, making them have to respect the speed a little bit could give Pav a little more room, and Tats, if he gets to stay with us. I don't know what's going on. But it was fun playing with those guys today, and hopefully it continues.

"Those two guys aren't very slow players. They're quick, they're fast, they play the game very quickly and smartly, and I'm just hoping to add whatever I can to help them. If we play well, we'll stick together. If there's a couple of bad games and shifts then he's not afraid to change up lines."

• Team Howe beat Team Lindsay 3-2 during the first scrimmage of training camp after Zetterberg scored the winning goal of the shootout. Luke Glendening and Darby Llewellyn scored for Team Howe while Andrej Nestrasil and Mitchell Wheaton scored for Team Lindsay.

• Zetterberg centered a line Friday between Johan Franzen and the much-maligned Daniel Cleary, who is trying to rebound after two sub-par seasons that saw him battle knee problems.

"He had a good off-season, worked really hard," Zetterberg said. "He looks good out there and skates really well. I like to play with him. You always know what you're going to get. He's at the front of the net and is always going to get pucks back.

"I'm looking forward to having a good camp with him."

• Tatar, who this summer signed a three-year contract extension worth $2.75 million per season, spent part of the offseason building a sports and fitness center for youngsters in Dubinca, Slovakia, where he was raised.

He's trying to fulfill a promise he made to his father, who died last January following a long illness.

"I promised my dad I would try and do something for the city where I grew up," said Tatar, 23. "That city gave me a chance to be a hockey player at this level so I feel like I owe the city something back. That's why I decided to build the sports center.

"It will be fun for the people and the kids. My town, there are lots of people who succeed from there like Pavol Demitra and some guys from Europe. Might as well continue with this and I hope we will have some young talent."

It's slated to open on Dec. 1, which is also Tatar's birthday.


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Dan Cleary feels as if he's won the ‘lottery' at training camp

By Chuck Pleiness

Posted: 09/20/14, 4:03 PM EDT

From the look of things at Red Wings training camp, Dan Cleary is going to get every opportunity to slot into one of the top lines.

Wings coach Mike Babcock says Cleary is skating with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen.

“Anytime you get to play with Z or (Pavel Datsyuk) it’s like winning the lottery,” Cleary said. “I love playing with Z. I played with him a lot over the last 10 years. The familiarity is there.”

Cleary, who’s heading into his 10th season with the Wings, had a miserable 2013-14 season, totaling just four goals and four assists. He also finished with a minus-11 rating in 52 games, which was a career worst.

“Dan Cleary helped us be very good for a long period of time,” Babcock said. “He’s played real well. Dan Cleary couldn’t help us last year. What we try to do is not confuse the player and the person. We love the person, and the player last year couldn’t help us.”

He had his season cut short due to a knee injury he suffered before the Olympic break after suffering a bad reaction to an injection that caused inflammation.

“I put in the work to get it where it needs to be so that’s a good sign,” Cleary said. “I started (training) probably about a week after we were finished. It’s put me in a lot better position to move on the ice more freely and more pain free. To be honest with you, it’s a good feeling.

“That obstacle of getting through your mind that you can move out there freely, be able to skate normal, be quick,” Cleary continued. “That’s was a good thing for me. Now I’ve just got to be confident in our ability and go do it.”

Despite his lack of production last season and the emergence of youngsters within the organization, Detroit inked Cleary to a $1.5 million deal that could balloon to $2.5 million with bonuses.

“If he can’t get back to playing, then he can’t help us,” Babcock said. “I’ve been here a long time. We’ve made lots of wrong decisions. We’ve made way more right decisions. Dan Cleary’s play is going to determine whether it’s a right or wrong decision. But the person he is gives him

the upper hand, yet we think the player is still a pretty darn good player if he can skate. Now if he can’t skate, he can’t play.”

Cleary’s numbers have dropped off each season since he scored a career-high 26 goals and totaled a career-high 46 points during the 2010-11 season.

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“It’s always good to have your young players pushing you,” Cleary said. “It’s good for the future and it’s good to keep the veterans on their toes. Training camp is always a great competition for ice time. No training camp is any different. You go in with the mindset that you have to earn your ice time. You have to earn your keep around here. That’s the motto. That’s how it’s always been and this training camp is different.

“In terms of an edge, I don’t know,” Cleary added. “I feel I’ve worked hard this summer to get in good shape and am a lot healthier. Sometimes it’s just a matter of will.”

Cleary, 35, was the Wings’ second leading scorer (four goals and six assists in 14 games) in the playoffs two seasons ago when they lost in Game 7 in a Western Conference second round meeting with the eventual Stanley Cup champ Chicago Blackhawks.

“There’s always motivation,” Cleary said. “You want to play well and be a good teammate and you want to win as a team. Anytime that your team doesn’t do as well as it’s supposed to you take it personally. I’ve certainly taken that upon myself to make sure that I play better.”

Macomb Daily LOADED: 09.21.2014

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Notes: Offseason helps Jimmy Howard enter training camp at his 'best' in years

ANDREA NELSON

SEP 20, 2014 5:04p ET

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Jimmy Howard chuckled while remembering his posture towards the end of last season.

"If you see me walking around in February or March my knees are inward, my shoulders are forward," Howard said.

When he wasn't spending time with his wife and two young sons this summer, Howard was focusing on getting his shoulders and hips back into place by incorporating more body-specific movements into his training regimen.

So far, it has paid off.

"This is the best I've felt in two or three seasons heading into training camp," Howard said. "I'm really excited to get going."

Howard's revamped workout routine isn't the only reason he's feeling healthier this offseason, though.

Detroit's early departure from the playoffs, while disappointing, extended the Red Wings' summer and gave them more time to recover from the plethora of injuries they endured throughout last season.

Also, it's been a while since Howard -- like all NHL players -- has enjoyed a normal work schedule due to the lockout-shortened season two years ago and the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"It's tough because last year you don't get a lot of practice time, so when things sort of slip on you, it's tough to get it back," Howard said. "You're playing every single night pretty much and you're trying to find that practice time, so that was a little different.

"But it's nice to be able to be back in a normal season. Seems like we haven't played one in a while and I'm excited for it."

Howard is hoping to improve upon the 2013-14 season, in which he went 21-19 with a 2.66 GAA and .910 SV%.

Coach Mike Babcock expects every one of his players to be "every-dayers" and knows Howard's dedication during the summer has given the goaltender an opportunity to have a strong 2014-15 season.

"You train and you earn the right to feel good about yourself through your training, through your work ethic, through your eating habits," Babcock said. "Through all those things, I think you got a way better chance for success.

"Like all players, if you can get off to a good start, it builds confidence for you. That's the key for him and everybody else."

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Howard hasn't changed the technical part of his game, and continues to polish and refine his technique so he can help the Wings make a deep run in the 2015 playoffs. In order for that to happen, though, Howard must be at his best every night.

"It (last season) wasn't up to my standards," Howard said. "I set the bar there pretty high for myself, and I want to hit that bar and push a little harder each year."

NHL RULE CHANGES

The NHL made a few rule changes during the offseason, including new overtime procedures. Teams will now switch ends in overtimes, during which time the surface will get a dry scrape. The change is designed to give each team a long change, making it more difficult to alter lines.

The new rules are popular among the Red Wings.

"A lot of the games will not go to the shootout, I think. If you have that four-on-four and the long change, you will get caught out there and end up in your own end," captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "Four-on-four, there's so much more room, and when you have the puck and the other team is tired, you will get the opportunity to score goals."

Center Stephen Weiss agreed.

"I hope more games end in overtime because shootouts we had a tough time with them last year, and it might have saved us playing Boston in the first round if we had done better in the shootout," Weiss said. "So if we can end more games in overtime, it will only help us out."

BIG E'S RETURN

Niklas Kronwall has his old defensive partner back on the ice.

After fracturing his finger in mid-March, defenseman Jonathan Ericsson missed the remainder of the Wings' season, and Kronwall is glad to have him back.

"He's a huge part of the team," Kronwall said. "Anytime we can have a big guy like that who moves the puck, sees the ice and his huge on the PK.

"He's good in the room, he's a leader on the team and he's played for us for many years. Getting a guy like that back is almost like you've traded for a big defenseman who can move the puck and do all of those things."


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Red Wings high, Lions low in ESPN Ultimate Team Rankings

Steve Schrader, Detroit Free Press 10:55 a.m. EDT September 19, 2014

Detroit fans aren't as satisfied with their pro sports teams as they were a year ago.

Three local teams are ranked lower in ESPN the Magazine's annual Ultimate Team Rankings, which score 122 teams in five categories using a combination of fan polls and real numbers like results and ticket costs.

The top three are the San Antonio Spurs, Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Seahawks.

And Detroit's teams:

■ No. 20, Red Wings: They're the top local team again, though seven spots lower than last year. They ranked second overall in ownership and third in fan relations but just 87th in stadium experience. Well, they're taking care of that.

■ No. 37, Tigers: They dropped 15 spots. Their high rank is eighth in ownership — not as high as the Wings, even though the guy spends a lot of money, too — and low is 73rd in coaching.

■ No. 105, Pistons: They dropped 21 spots. Their low mark was 121 in players' "effort on the field and likeability off it."

■ No. 111, Lions: Same as last year. They had a few problem grades, including a 120 in "championships already won or expected within the lifetime of current fans."

Four other cities have two or more teams ranked 100 or higher: Cleveland (Cavs, Browns), Miami (Panthers, Dolphins), Minneapolis (Vikings, Timberwolves) and New York (Jets, Islanders, Mets, Knicks).


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Long change gets a thumbs up from Red Wings


TRAVERSE CITY -- Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg capped off an uneventful scrimmage with a pair of beauties in a shootout.

It's not something teammates want to see much of once the NHL's regular season begins in three weeks. Not that the Detroit Red Wings don't appreciate the sublime and powerful moves put on by the twosome, more like, please - don't let games go to shootout. During today's first day of training camp, the Wings spent four minutes at the end of the first half and second half working on the new overtime format. In an attempt to have more games end before shootouts, the league has instituted a new rule that at the start of overtime, teams will switch ends, just as they do at the start of second periods, which forces long changes as defending players aren't in the same end as their own bench. (It wasn't done Friday, but there's also supposed to be a dry scrape - cleaner ice generally means better scoring chances. Before, there was no scrape before OT).

Stephen Weiss, for one, is a fan of the new rule.

"I think it's great," he said "That's a tough change when you're tired, so if guys get caught out there for a long shift, it's definitely going to produce more scoring chances and more goals. And with overtimes being a little bit longer, it's only going to make it - I hope games end more in overtimes, because the shootouts, we had a tough time with them last year. It might have saved us playing Boston in the first round if we could have done a little bit better in the shootout. If we can end more games in overtime, it will help us out."


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Stephen Weiss aims to feel great, look great with Wings


TRAVERSE CITY -- Stephen Weiss walked away from the media huddle, smiling.

"Every day," he said, "I'm going to tell you guys I feel great."

So he hopes, so the Detroit Red Wings hope. One year after he made his debut with the team, one year after he signed a long and hefty contract with the team, he is basically starting all over with the team. Last season was so utterly forgettable, Weiss is trying to erase it from his mind, determined to give it, he said, "zero" thoughts.

Fair enough. The success of that endeavor won't be known for months, until Weiss has established himself as a regular in the lineup and on the scoresheet. Until he's shown more than the four points in 26 games he delivered last season.

Teammates can't wait.

"We didn't see him much last season," captain Henrik Zetterberg said Friday after the first day of training camp at Centre Ice Arena. "What he did in Florida was pretty impressive, how he played and how he carried that team. Just to have a healthy Weiss here for us is going to be a big difference."

Henrik Zetterberg talks about first day of Red Wings training camp. Video by Helene St. James, DFP Detroit Free Press

Weiss was brought in to be the second-line center, to enable pairing Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, and that has yet to happen.

"We know Pav and Z are good players," coach Mike Babcock said. "We need more guys that are high-end players. You need high-end players. We could use more top-six forwards.

Weiss skated with Gustav Nyquist and Justin Abdelkader during practice, but the lines assembled over the coming days are simply about fleshing out three squads. For Weiss, these days are about feeling good.

"It's nice to be back," he said after skating with teammates for the first time since December. "It's obviously been a while. I felt pretty good for a first controlled scrimmage in about nine months. I feel healthy, I've got no pain. I feel like I'm just going to get better and better, as long as I can stay healthy."

Therein's the rub: What manifested itself as a groin injury last December segued into core surgery, followed by a second procedure. Weiss ended up missing the rest of the season. Not a stellar showing for a guy in the first stretch of a five-year, $24.5 million contract.

"After what I went through last year, I'm honestly just happy to be back on the ice," Weiss said. "That could have went the other way and it could have really taken a toll on the rest of my career. So to be honest, to go through the summer and rehab really hard

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and skate really hard without pain and for that to continue into camp has been wonderful for me."

Even before he was sidelined in sick bay, there were problems, though: After scoring the winning goal in the second game of the season, Weiss failed to build momentum, instead clearly struggling with how important and demanding a role centers play in Detroit's system. That, too, he swears will be different in 2014-15.

"I feel much more comfortable," he said. "Where to go - I'm not thinking about it so much. Practice was easier today, in terms of that stuff. I just feel way better, more comfortable, than last year already, and for my first scrimmage in nine months, I feel like I'm just going to continue to get better."

Last March saw Weiss at his lowest of the season, having trained hard during the Olympic break to be ready to rejoin the Wings in March. Six months later, he's relieved and revived, and ready to prove himself an asset.


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Wings' Smith plans to build on last season's success


Traverse City — The bigger the games, the bigger Brendan Smith seemed to play.

That certainly was the case during the team's playoff push last season.

As a new year beckons, the Red Wings are hoping Smith parlays that late success into a season-long dominance.

"Smitty played real well for the second half of last season," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We just want him to go. Maybe playing with Nik(las) Kronwall (helped Smith)? I don't know the answer.

"Opportunity? Most players will tell you it's opportunity. You earn the opportunity."

Playing alongside Kronwall certainly appeared to help Smith, who looked more poised and disciplined playing with, arguably, the top Red Wings defenseman. But simply getting the chance to play against other team's best players in the season's most important games inspired Smith.

"I loved playing against the high level of competition," Smith said.

"I felt I played well against guys like (Patrice) Bergeron and (Brad) Marchand or my little brother (Reilly Smith) and (Milan) Lucic and (David) Kreijci, and before then Sid (Sidney Crosby), and shutting them down. I enjoy playing against some of the best players in the world."

Babcock has been coy about what his plans on defense are. Smith and Kronwall are not paired together during intra-squad scrimmages — Kronwall is reunited with his old partner, Jonathan Ericsson.

Regardless of who his partner will be, Smith understands he'll have to match his late-season output.

"I just have to make sure I play my best hockey," Smith said. "Near the end, we saw a lot of good teams and a lot of top lines and maybe that just helps me elevate my game. Maybe I'm more focused at the task at hand and shutting them down."

One change Smith is looking forward to is the opportunity of being on the power play.

"I've been anxious for the last 2½ years," Smith said. "I've wanted to get on, but it's all about opportunity and you have to earn your chance to go out there."

Training camp

When: Today-Tuesday, Centre Ice Arena, Traverse City

Schedule

TODAY

9:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m.: Practice

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11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.: Intrasquad scrimmages

7 p.m.: Red Wings alumni and celebrity game

SUNDAY

Noon: Red-White scrimmage

MONDAY-TUESDAY

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Practice for players not in exhibition

7 p.m. Monday: at Pittsburgh

8:30 p.m. Tuesday: at Chicago


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Stephen Weiss encouraged after first high-intensity skate in nine months as Red Wings open camp

Ansar Khan


TRAVERSE CITY – Following a forgettable, injury-plagued season for Stephen Weiss, it might be easy to forget how important he can be for the Detroit Red Wings.

Weiss was back on the ice Friday, skating in a high-intensity, fast-paced, competitive environment for the first time in nine months as the Red Wings opened training camp at Centre I.C.E.

Weiss centered a line with Gustav Nyquist and Justin Abdelkader and said he felt great following his first scrimmage.

"I feel healthy, got no pain and I feel like I'm just going to keep getting better and better as long as I can stay healthy," Weiss said.

The Red Wings had high hopes that Weiss would boost their second-line center spot but he struggled from the start, trying to play through what later was diagnosed as a sports hernia. He had surgery on Dec. 23 and never returned, undergoing another procedure on April 21 to release scar tissue.

The club never saw the skilled player that averaged 19 goals and 53 points over six seasons with the Florida Panthers (2006-07 to 2011-12). Weiss finished with just two goals and four points in 26 games.

Teammates are anxious to see what a healthy Weiss can do.

"He's a great player. We all know that," Henrik Zetterberg said. "He went through a tough year last year but he looked good out there and he's going to be good for us this year."

Said Niklas Kronwall: "Getting Weiss healthy, obviously, is a big key to our team. I think guys who have been around the league for a few years know what he can do. He was the No. 1 center in Florida for many years and he kept producing, so I think nobody would be surprised."

Weiss admitted after the season that he didn't feel right during camp and the preseason but tried to play through it. He felt pressure to produce right away after signing a five-year, $24.5 million contract.

This year, he feels no pain, and no pressure.

"Just going to go out and play," Weiss said. "What I went through last year, I'm honestly just happy to be back on the ice. It could have gone the other way and really taken a toll on the rest my career.

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"So to go through the summer and rehab really hard and be able to get back on the ice and skate without any pain and have that continue through camp has been wonderful and I feel like I'm just going to get better."

The Red Wings open their eight-game preseason schedule Monday in Pittsburgh. The exhibitions will be particularly important for Weiss.

"I haven't played a game since December so I'm looking forward to playing in those exhibition games and getting my legs under me, and those games ramp up even more than these scrimmages," Weiss said. "It's going to be a wakeup call, but I'm just looking forward to being back on the ice and playing hockey again."

Weiss said of precautions he's taking to ensure there is no recurrence of groin/hernia issues: "Just the little exercises you got to do, the stretching routines, all the stuff I did before anyway but now it becomes even more important because of the two procedures last (season)."

He is eager for some form of redemption. He wants to prove he can be the player he was not long ago.

"I believe sometimes things happen for a reason and this is going to make me better and more hungry this year," Weiss said.


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Red Wings' Darren Helm anticipates smooth transition to wing, on Pavel Datsyuk's line

Ansar Khan

on September 19, 2014 at 10:02 AM, updated September 19, 2014 at 10:03 AM

TRAVERSE CITY –Darren Helm isn't too broken up about having to move from center to wing for the Detroit Red Wings. Skating on a line with Pavel Datsyuk makes up for it.

With a logjam of centers, somebody had to switch, and Red Wings coach Mike Babcock believes Helm's tenacity on the forecheck, his ability to grind down low and his fast pace will benefit Datsyuk.

"Look around the locker room; we have six or seven NHL center icemen, so someone was going to have to change," Helm said. "The guys that are coming up are great centermen. It'll be fun to have a chance to play the wing with one of the best players in the league. ... I just have to be ready for the puck and work hard for him and make sure I'm doing my job."

Datsyuk and Helm skated together for Team Delvecchio today when the Red Wings opened training camp at Centre I.C.E. Tomas Tatar was on the other wing.

Top prospect Anthony Mantha was supposed to be the other winger on that line, before he was sidelined for six-to-eight weeks with a broken right tibia.

Before Helm began being besieged by injuries late in the 2011-12 season, Babcock often referred to him as the best third-line center in the league.

Helm has produced well for a checking-line center, scoring 12 goals in 42 games last season and averaging 11 goals in his previous three full seasons. Playing with Datsyuk will provide him more scoring opportunities

But Helm isn't going to forget what got him to the NHL.

"That (scoring) is not what I'm looking at right now," Helm said. "My main focus is playing my game, working hard and earning my spot up there; creating some space with my speed. When the opportunities come, that's when I'll have to focus on making the best of it, but right now I'm just getting ready to play that wing position and do the best I can."

Babcock hasn't revealed who will play the other wing on that line, except to say it won't be Justin Abdelkader, who's skated on Datsyuk's line for much of the past two seasons. It could be Henrik Zetterberg, in which case Johan Franzen and Gustav Nyquist are likely to flank Stephen Weiss on the second line.

Riley Sheahan figures to center the third line while Luke Glendening or Joakim Andersson center the fourth line.

Helm played one shift on the wing in 2010-11 with Datsyuk and Zetterberg and noted he was a plus-1. He played 15-20 games at wing last season, so the conversion shouldn't be difficult.

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"I played a bit last year with some success," Helm said. "I don't have to change my game too much."

What are the biggest adjustments?

"Pucks on the wall, make sure pucks are getting out," Helm said. "That's an area I haven't had a lot of practice at because it's a position I haven't played much in my career. I'll have to make sure I'm responsible in that area. Besides that there isn't a whole lot I need to change."

He should still be able to use his speed the same on the wing.

"I should be able to use it more," Helm said. "Anytime the puck is going up the weak-side wall it's an opportunity for me to push the pace once they blow the zone. I can open up some space for everyone else, and if there are loose pucks I can chase them down. Both positions you have to use your speed at different times. It's about using your brains and smarts to know when to use it."


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Young Red Wings no longer take a back seat to veterans in roster battles, says Mike Babcock

Brendan Savage

on September 19, 2014 at 6:06 AM, updated September 19, 2014 at 6:07 AM

TRAVERSE CITY – It wasn't long ago that veterans ruled the Detroit Red Wings' roster.

And in many ways, they still do.

The Red Wings won four Stanley Cups in 11 seasons largely because they loaded their lineup with established players, some of whom signed in Detroit for one last shot at a championship.

And Detroit still has a veteran-laden roster with players like Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Kronwall, Johan Franzen and Daniel Cleary.

But the days of the Red Wings placing more value on veterans because of their experience rather than less-established youngsters who might be just as talented could be over based on what coach Mike Babcock has been saying heading into training camp, which begins today at Centre I.C.E. Arena.

"I used to walk in every year in training camp," Babcock reiterated Thursday on the eve of training camp, "and tell them the tie goes to the veteran."

Not anymore.

"Ties goes to the best player," Babcock said. "If you're ready to play, we got a young group, you're playing. We'll find a way to do that."

Part of the reason for the change in thinking might have something to do with last season, when a rash of injuries forced the Red Wings to recall players from Grand Rapids who otherwise probably wouldn't have been regulars in their lineup.

That group included Riley Sheahan, Luke Glendening and Tomas Jurco. The Red Wings were also hoping Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar might provide some scoring punch but it's safe to say both exceeded expectations.

Nyquist was the hottest player in the NHL during January and February en route to a team-high 28 goals in only 57 goals and Tatar added 19 goals while finishing sixth on the team with 39 points in 73 games.

"We added six new forwards to our team last year," Babcock said. "Not at the start – Nyquist, Tatar ... you could say Nyquist played the year before but last year was his first time ... and he didn't start the year with us. You put in that group Riley Sheahan, you put in Jurco, you put in Glendening and you put in (Joakim Andersson), finally a full-time NHLer. That's six.

"We have four (defensemen) ready to do the same thing. The way the NHL works, sometimes you don't walk out of training camp with a job but you make an impression in

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training camp and you keep getting better so that we end up working things out so that you get a job."

• Babcock likes what he's seen from No. 1 prospect Anthony Mantha, who was hoping to make the team in training camp without playing in the minors but is out for 6-8 weeks after fracturing his tibia.

Mantha got hurt Monday during the Red Wings victory over Minnesota in their prospects tournament, where he scored four goals in three games.

"Every time he plays he scores," Babcock said. "Every time he plays he's 6-foot-5. Everyone says he's not good defensively; that's not what I see in him. To me he's an elite player and goes faster with the puck than without it, makes great plays, reads plays.

"He's got to learn to play with pace, 40 seconds at a time, instead of a minute, 30, like he played last year. That's time. When he's ready, he'll play here."

• Babcock is entering the final year of his contract but didn't have much to say about the possibility of negotiating during camp.

"No contract stuff," said Babcock, who has stated he won't negotiate once the season begins. "We haven't talked about it. I got training camp, that's what I'm doing. I don't know."

General manger Ken Holland, however, said he expects to talk with Babcock about an extension.

"Yeah, probably next week or so," he said.

• The NHL Network announced its preseason schedule Thursday and it includes two Red Wings games.

The network will air Detroit's games Oct. 1 vs. Pittsburgh at Joe Louis Arena and Oct. 4 in Boston.

The Red Wings open the season Oct. 9 against Boston at Joe Louis Arena.


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Notes: Wings' top line talk; Weiss still pain-free

ANDREA NELSON

SEP 19, 2014 4:39p ET

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Although it's far too early to begin speculating about who will be skating on the Red Wings' top line this season, coach Mike Babcock presented an interesting combination at Day 1 of the team's training camp.

Pavel Datsyuk centered the top line alongside Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm, forming a dangerously skillful and speedy trio.

"Those two guys aren't very slow players," Helm said. "They're quick, they're fast, they play the game very quickly and smartly, and I'm just hoping to add whatever I can to help them."

Tatar replaced the Wings' top prospect, Anthony Mantha, who is sidelined for six to eight weeks with a broken right tibia. The lineup isn't completely unfamiliar, as Tatar has played with both Helm and Datsyuk before, but skating alongside the "Magic Man" never gets old.

"It's fun. I mean he's the Magic Man, so I'm just letting my stick on the ice and hopefully the puck will find me somewhere from him," Tatar said.

Helm couldn't agree more.

"I hope it's just not a stint, but playing with him is a lot of fun," Helm said. "Hope I can do it for more than a stint."

Helm was moved to wing to free up the Wings' logjam at center, and believes his speed can both cause a problem for the opposition's defense and give his linemates more offensive opportunities.

"Make it a little harder on defensemen, making them have to respect the speed a little bit, could give Pav a little more room," Helm said. "And Tats, if he gets to stay with us, I don't know what's going on. But it was fun playing with those guys today, and hopefully it continues."

While Tatar would naturally prefer to stay on the top line with Datsyuk and Helm, he knows it's highly unlikely the line won't be juggled around.

"He (Babcock) will try to find chemistry," Tatar said. "I would like to be on a line for sure like this when the season starts. You've got to play good.

"You've got to play two-way forward. If you're a forward, do the offensive job but at the same time you have to do the defensive job. There's lots to do."

For the time being, Babcock plans to have Henrik Zetterberg and Datsyuk on separate lines throughout the preseason and training camp.

"It's training camp. We need three teams, so that's what we tried to do," Babcock said. "We shouldn't talk about stuff in the summer because it never works out.

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"We talked about getting Mantha a good look, but reality is, he'll have to work his way back from Grand Rapids. We'll just watch our players here this week, and we'll come up some groups for exhibition. We'll start up with two teams and narrow it down and end up with one team."

WEISS STILL PAIN-FREE

Forward Stephen Weiss participated in his first scrimmage since suffering a season-ending injury last December, and continues to be pain-free.

"It's obviously been a while, and it felt pretty good for the first controlled game/scrimmage in about nine months," Weiss said. "I feel healthy, got no pain, and I feel like I'm just going to keep getting better and better as long as I can stay healthy."

Although the scrimmage went well, Weiss knows the real test will begin next week. The Wings' first preseason game is scheduled for Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I haven't played a game since December of last year, so I'm looking forward to playing in those exhibition games and getting my legs under me," Weiss said. "Those games ramp up even more than those scrimmages.

"It's going to be a wakeup call, but like I said, I'm just looking forward to being back on the ice and playing hockey again."

ALFREDSSON ABSENT

After suffering a setback, veteran forward Daniel Alfredsson isn't attending the Wings' training camp.

His future with the organization remains uncertain.

"He's missing to be up here, but he will take his time and do it right and give it a shot," Zetterberg said.


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South Korea, with former Griffins assistant Jim Paek at the helm, given entry into

2018 Olympics

By Peter Wallner / MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Former Grand Rapids Griffins assistant coach Jim Paek has the

South Korean men’s hockey team in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

South Korea, with Paek as the new coach of the national team, was granted automatic

entry Friday by the International Ice Hockey Federation into the Games, to be hosted by

Pyeongchang.

Here is a statement from IIHF President Rene’ Fasel:

“After careful deliberation and discussions with the IOC and the Korea Ice Hockey

Association, we have decided to grant an automatic qualification to the men’s and

women’s national teams for PyeongChang 2018.”

Paek, who spent nine seasons as the Griffins assistant coach, also had this to say:

“Korean hockey has been working for a long time for this opportunity, and to have this

presented to us today is overwhelming. I don’t want to make any promises but as long

as we focus on the process every day to get better I think we’ll be very competitive and

hopefully we’ll represent the country well.”

Without automatic entry, South Korea would have attempted to qualify for three

available spots for the Games.

The 2018 Winter Olympic Games take place Feb. 9-25, 2018.

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