Official Blog for the Detroit Red Wings

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The Red Wings officially welcomed Chris Chelios back to Hockeytown on Tuesday; the former Wing and future hall-of-famer announced his retirement and his new job as Advisor to Hockey Operations. Here’s a look around the web regarding the Chelios news and all other things Red Wings:

• Red Wings TV shares Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Draper, and Mike Babcock’s thoughts on Chelios’ retirement and return to the team.
• Detroit Free Press writer George Sipple examines Chelios’ long and storied NHL career, and reports on Niklas Kronwall’s minor knee surgery.
• The Detroit News’ John Niyo weighs in on the retirement speech Chelios avoided for so long.
• Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News discusses the Wings’ final activities heading into spring training.
• MLive.com’s Ansar Khan also discusses the Chelios press conference, which was held at Joe Louis Arena Tuesday afternoon, and shares the latest on a possible Kirk Maltby one-year deal.
• Foxsportsdetroit.com’s Dana Wakiji speaks with Chelios after his press conference, click here to see the video.

Here’s a look around the Wings’ blogosphere:

• Bleacher Report says the Chelios position is the latest example of the Wings’ grooming players for front office jobs.
• Detroithockey.net talks about the Wings’ training camp roster.
• Fight Night at the Joe breaks down the Wings’ second defensive pairing.
• On the Wings discusses the Kronwall surgery.
• Red Wings Hardware is excited to watch Abdelkader’s hit parade throughout the season.
• The Triple Deke shares notes from the blogging round table.
• Winging it in Motown talks about the Jonathan Ericsson/Ruslan Salei possible pairing.

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The time left before training camp is expiring quickly, and pre-season action is just around the corner! As you get ready for the 2010-11 NHL season, remember to bookmark Niklas Kronwall’s new site, www.niklaskronwall.com, so that you can get more ‘Kronwalled’ action whenever you feel the need.

• The Red Wings’ official website says that the Wings are well-rested and ready to reclaim glory in 2010-11. The site also shares information about a charity skate at Michigan State University that Justin Abdelkader and Drew Miller will be participating in this afternoon.
• The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James says that Jimmy Howard and Chris Osgood have a lot to prove this year, and that Dan Cleary should have a good season now that he is pain-free.
• Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News reports that while it might hinder his ice-time, Abdelkader is a huge fan of the Mike Modano signing, and says that it’s too early to be talking about the Wings winning the Stanley Cup.
• Rory Boylen of the Hockey News has Valtteri Filppula at the top of his list of players he expects to have a big year.
• USA Today reports that former Red Wing Bob Probert’s memoir will hit bookshelves in October.

Here’s a look around the DRW fan blogs:

• Babcock’s Death Stare sums up the Wings’ recent activities.
• Big Red Machine compares the Wings’ 2010 roster and the 2002 roster.
• Bleacher Report shares their season preview of the Wings.
• Nightmare on Helm Street answers some questions posed by MLive.com’s Snapshots.
• On the Wings discusses Dan Cleary’s health problems.
• Snipe Snipe, Dangle Dangle also discusses the Snapshots round table.
• The Triple Deke disproves any bad thoughts on the Modano signing.

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch released a statement to the media on Monday saying that he is interested in purchasing the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. Here’s what members of the media are saying about the Pistons situation, and all other things involving Hockeytown:

• The Wings’ official website reports that Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch are interested in purchasing the Detroit Pistons, announces the Ruslan Salei signing, and that the NHL 2k11 Tour stopped by Hockeytown.
• Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press says that Wings want Kirk Maltby to stick around, but it may have to be a two-way deal. St. James also discusses the options presented by Salei’s signing.
• The Detroit News’ Bob Wojnowski says that Mike Ilitch would be a perfect fit for the Pistons. Fellow News writer Eric Lacy discusses Ilitch’s bid for a triple crown in the Detroit sports scene.
• MLive.com’s Chris Iott said Pistons management have received multiple offers for the team. Ansar Khan of MLive suggests that the Wings might keep Mattias Ritola but lose Drew Miller.
• Dave Dye of FoxSportsDetroit.com reports that Chris Chelios will retire and join the Wings’ front office.

Here’s what the DRW bloggers are saying about the Winged Wheel:

• Big Red Machine thinks all the pieces are falling into place for the Wings to have an impressive season.
• Bleacher Report suggests that Mr. Ilitch’s attempt at buying the Pistons means that Joe Louis Arena will no longer be the home of the Wings.
• InPlay! Magazine discusses the Jame Tardif signing for the Griffins.
• Detroithockey.net talks about the Salei signing.
• Eight Legged Freaks welcomes home Mike Modano.
• Nightmare on Helm Street suggests what the Wings’ Mount Puckmore should look like.
• Red Wings Hardware examines the Salei signing, and shares how Chelios remembered the late Bob Probert at Wrigley Field.
• Snipe Snipe, Dangle Dangle reports on the shenanigans from the Wings’ Alumni Charity Softball Game.
• Word on a Wing looks at the latest Wings’ roster after the signing of Salei.

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Here is the latest on what the media is saying about Mike Modano coming to Hockeytown and everything else involving the Wings:

• The Red Wings’ official website said that GM Ken Holland is anxious to wrap up the deal with Modano, and that Aaron Downey is excited for his training camp tryout.
• Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press looks at how the Wings’ roster will round out as training camp approaches, and that Modano is expected to wear No. 90.
• Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News asks for some public affection for Kirk Maltby.
• MLive.com’s Ansar Khan expects Modano to bring out the best in Dan Cleary, and that Justin Abdelkader is spending his summer with boxing gloves on.
• Ken Campbell of The Hockey News discusses how captain Nicklas Lidstrom is still an elite NHL defenseman.

The DRW bloggers discuss all the latest Wings’ news:

Babcocks’ Death Stare appreciates the way the Modano signing will be handled, unlike other contract signings this year.

• Bleacher Report discusses Modano’s signing.
• Fight Night at the Joe offers some new rules for the NHL to consider.
• Nightmare on Helm Street looks at the Wings’ salary cap situation with the Modano addition.
• Octopus Thrower says Modano should have his own show on ESPN to announce his contract.
• On the Wings wonders if the Wings can find the cap space for Willie Mitchell.
• The Production Line posts what Modano’s Wings jersey will look like.

Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images

Mike Modano said he will not be making a decision until he skates next month, but there is still plenty of Red Wings material being posted around the Web.

The Red Wings’ official website looks at Valtteri Filppula’s numbers from last season, discusses prospect Nick Oslund’s upcoming year, and reports that Mike Babcock is confident that Modano will become a Wing.

• Helene St. James of the Free Press says that Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm will have to wait for new contracts until after Modano decides.
• The Free Press’ George Sipple discusses prospect Mitchell Callahan’s attempt to make it in the NHL.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News says it’s understandable that Modano wants to take his time, and that Meech’s contract doesn’t mean he will be in Detroit next year.
• Ansar Khan of MLive.com says that the Wings have been talking with Maltby and Lilja while they wait to hear about Modano.

Here’s a look at the DRW blogs:

• Detroithockey.net shares their thoughts on the Modano situation.
• Eight Legged Freaks is disappointed that the Wings’ missed out on Brett Lebda.
• Fight Night at the Joe shares some new DRW blogs.
• Motown Wings also discusses Modano.
• Nightmare on Helm Street reports on a 14-year-old determined to be a Red Wing someday.
• Octopus Thrower says the Wings’ don’t even need Modano.
• Snipe Snipe, Dangle Dangle looks at a Red Wings packrat.
• The Production Line discusses Meech’s new deal.

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The Red Wings hosted their annual development camp this week, bringing in some of their top prospects and invitees for on and off-ice training. While Joe Louis Arena was without power for most of the camp, the Wings’ prospects headed over to City Sports Arena in Detroit to continue their learning experiences. Here’s a look around the Internet for coverage of the development camp and all other things Red Wings.

• Here are some of the prospects articles from the Red Wings’ official website: Prospects ahead of the curve by end of camp, Landon Ferraro’s passion for another sport, Brendan Smith and Ben Marshall injured during camp, Thomas McCollum develops in Grand Rapids, Brooks Macek hopes to learn during camp. Check out the Wings’ headlines for more prospects coverage this week!
• George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press says top pick Riley Sheahan stood out at the development camp, and discusses how Chris Chelios’ children skated with the Wings all week.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News says the Wings have other options if Mike Modano doesn’t come to Detroit, and that this is a big year for prospect Landon Ferraro.
• The News’ Gregg Krupa remembers’ the late Bob Probert’s gentle side.
• Dana Wakiji of Fox Sports Detroit says there is a possibility that Brendan Smith could make the Wings’ roster right out of college.
• MLive.com’s Ansar Khan reports that Riley Sheahan is hoping for a better year at Notre Dame after the development camp, and that the Wings have high expectations for Thomas McCollum this season.

Here’s a look around the DRW blogs:

• Bleacher Report wonders if Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg will be reunited on a line this year.
• InPlay Magazine reports that the Wings are dominating the NHL.com top plays of the season.
• Detroithockey.net discusses the Modano situation.
• Motown Wings talks about Brett Lebda’s departure for Toronto.
• Nightmare on Helm Street looks at the Wings’ different jersey styles over the years.
• Winging it in Motown shares some links for more DRW blogs.

Photo by Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images

It’s been a busy week for Ken Holland and the Wings’ management staff; the 2010 NHL Draft was held in L.A. on Friday, and the free agency signing period begins tomorrow. Here’s what websites are saying about the Wings’ draftees and free agency outlook.

• The Wings’ official website reports on the Wings’ draft activity and remembers former Detroit defenseman Willie Huber.
• The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James says the Wings will be looking for role players during free agency.
• The Free Press also provides a photo gallery of the Wings’ 2010 draft selections.
• Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News discusses the possibility of Mike Modano coming to Detroit.
• The Detroit News provides short bios of all the Wings’ draftees here.
• MLive.com’s Ansar Khan says Andreas Lilja is not expected to return to the Wings next season, and that the Wings have made qualifying offers to nine players.

Here’s a glance at what some DRW blogs are saying:

• Big Red Machine takes a look at the Wings’ first-round pick.
  Bleacher Report gives five reasons Wings’ fans should be optimistic next season.
• Eight Legged Freaks gives their opinion on the NHL Draft.
• Hockeytown Static discusses some good hockey music.
• Nightmare on Helm Street talks about the Wings’ prospect who likes roller hockey.
• On the Wings discusses the Andreas Lilja contract situation.
• The Production Line talks about the same topic as above.
• Winging it in Motown breaks down the Wings’ free agency situation.