Sport-scan daily brief

Forward Henrik Zetterberg (groin) said he's expecting to play Thursday night in Phoenix after missing two games.

Defenseman Kyle Quincey (fractured cheekbone) is tentatively scheduled to play Friday in Colorado, Babcock said.

Forwards Todd Bertuzzi (back, could return in a week) and Mikael Samuelsson (upper body, day to day) are expected to return soon. They've played in 11 games combined this season.

"All year we've had so many injuries, and getting some guys back, that's new bodies, new fresh blood and the same as getting players from other teams," Zetterberg said. "We have a good squad in here and looking forward to the playoffs."

As for his own physical condition, Zetterberg completed the entire practice Wednesday.

"I'm feeling better; it was nice to be skating again," said Zetterberg, who was optimistic he'll play Thursday. "We had a couple of good days of treatment and hoping to feel good today and that was achieved."

Forward Damien Brunner has an undisclosed injury and didn't practice Wednesday. General manager Ken Holland and Babcock both termed Brunner day to day. Babcock wouldn't rule Brunner out for the game in Phoenix.

Either Zetterberg or Brunner would have to play, or the Red Wings would need to call up a forward from Grand Rapids to get to 12 healthy forwards.

Detroit News LOADED: 04.04.2013

667772 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings talk, but don't pull trigger on trade deadline day

By Ted Kulfan

Detroit — The NHL trade deadline came …

And went.

With nothing from the Red Wings.

Meaning they're content to face the rest of their season with their current roster.

General manager Ken Holland said he made competitive offers for several players the last few days, but nothing materialized.

"When you look at what transpired, you can figure out who we would have had some interest in," Holland said. "At the end of the day we didn't get it done and it was for a whole host of reasons."

The Red Wings were known to have interest in Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who ended up with the Blues, and Stars forward Jaromir Jagr, whom was traded to the Bruins.

Holland was reluctant to trade prospects with the Red Wings (Joakim Andersson, Gustav Nyquist, Brian Lashoff or Dan DeKeyser) or in Grand Rapids (Tomas Tatar, Petr Mrazek or Riley Sheahan), or any first-round picks.

"We don't need depth players," Holland said. "From a depth standpoint, we have players on our team. We're going to go with the kids."

And, with forwards Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson and Darren Helm, and defenseman Kyle Quincey all hoping to return from injuries the next couple weeks, Holland believes those additions are better than what was available on the trade market.

Bertuzzi (back) could return in a week, Samuelsson (upper body) is day-to-day, Helm (back) hopes to come back before the season ends, and Quincey (fractured cheekbone) could play Friday.

"I couldn't do any moves better than getting those guys back," Holland said. "Now if they don't come back, than it doesn't matter what moves you make.

"You need your players."

Said captain Henrik Zetterberg: "All year we've had so many injuries, and getting some guys back (from injuries), that's new bodies, new fresh blood and the same as getting players from other teams. I know (the front office) in the war room, they've been in there a few days and probably thinking (about potential trades) but if (nothing develops), we have a good squad in here and looking forward to the playoffs."

Coach Mike Babcock was fine with the decision made by the front office.

"Absolutely, 100 percent," Babcock said when asked if he'd be comfortable with his roster. "I've never felt like we were going to do anything (trade wise).

"I kind of like what we have going and the direction we're going. We think we have kids that are really coming and we're trying to figure out which are the best kids to help us be successful. We have a few more kids in the minors, in particular (center Riley) Sheahan I'd like to take a look at as well."

Loving Detroit

Unrestricted free agency is calling Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula unless he and the Red Wings come to some sort of agreement.

"I'm focusing on just playing and not thinking about that," said Filppula, who has 13 points (six goals) in 29 games. "When that time comes to think about that stuff, I'll have time to do that, too."

The sides are expected to continue negotiations, and Filppula's preference is to remain with the Red Wings.

"It's been a great place to be, a great team obviously," he said. "You want to be on that kind of team."

Injury report

Red Wings forward Damien Brunner (undisclosed) didn't practice Wednesday, and is listed as day-to-day.

Babcock, however, wouldn't rule Brunner out of tonight's game in Phoenix.

Zetterberg (groin) participated in the entire practice and appeared ready to play.

"Feeling better, it was nice to be skating again," said Zetterberg, who was optimistic he'll play tonight. "We had a couple of good days of treatment and hoping to feel good today and that was achieved. Hoping for no setbacks."

… Helm has resumed skating and remains optimistic he'll rejoin the team before the end of the season.

"The last couple of weeks have been pretty positive," said Helm, who has played in one game and will not travel on this two-game trip. "I've been skating quite a bit and working out and doing different things. I've been progressing, and it's not getting worse."

Ice chips

Babcock had defenseman Danny DeKeyser practice as if he would play tonight.

"When we put Danny in, it's because he can help us win not because we think we owe him a game or anything like that," Babcock said.

… In a paper transaction, the Red Wings sent DeKeyser, Lashoff, Nyquist and Andersson to Grand Rapids — then recalled them — so the four would be eligible for the American League playoffs.

… Goaltender Jimmy Howard starts tonight. There's been no decision for Friday.

Detroit News LOADED: 04.04.2013

667773 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock comfortable with roster as team continues playoff push

Ansar Khan

on April 03, 2013 at 8:01 PM

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings weren't able to make a move by Wednesday's trade deadline, but coach Mike Babcock said he's absolutely “100 percent'' comfortable with what he has.

“I never ever felt like we were going to do anything, to be honest with you,'' Babcock said. “Kind of like what we’ve got going and the direction we’re heading. We’ve got some kids that are really coming.

“We’re trying to figure out which kids will help us be successful. There are a few more kids in the minors, particularly (Riley) Sheahan I’d like to have a look at as well.''

The Red Wings (18-13-5) are in the thick of the playoff race. They could finish as high as fourth in the Western Conference, or they could miss the postseason for the first time since 1990.

They hope to have forwards Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson and Darren Helm back before the end of the season. That's essentially a full third line that has missed most of the season with injuries.

“Getting some guys back, some new, fresh blood in, that’s the same as getting a player from another team,'' captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “I think we have a good squad in here and looking forward to the postseason.

“All of those (playoff) teams can go all of the way, especially on the Western side. You’ve got to make the playoffs, and when the playoffs start everyone starts over.”

Said general manager Ken Holland: “The regular season, it’s meaningful in the sense that you need to be in the top eight. But I think when the playoffs start, you can throw all the statistics in the garbage.''

Goaltender Jimmy Howard said the team is “sitting good.''

“There's a lot of areas in our game where I think we can get better -- not turning pucks over and maybe having that focus a little better, but we're working at it and every day we've gotten a little better,'' Howard said. “We haven't even had a full game with everyone playing, so I think just getting some guys back healthy would be a great addition for us.''

Babcock said he has seen much improvement and expects better things.

“I’ve been really impressed with our leadership, Hank and Pav (Datsyuk) and Kronner (Niklas Kronwall) have really been awesome,'' Babcock said. “I think Mule (Johan Franzen) has really stepped up in that department, which is important for us.''

Injuries have forced them to rely more on younger players like defenseman Brian Lashoff and forward Joakim Andersson, who've played a majority of the games, and as well as Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar, who've been back and forth from Grand Rapids.

“This year has been invigorating for me because there are so many kids and every day there are so many projects,'' Babcock said. “There’s way more individual video, way more meetings to help kids get better quickly.

“Our strength coach (Pete Renzetti) has done a fantastic job this year and it’s all been a part of us getting better.''

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013

667774 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings GM Ken Holland made offers for couple of players but couldn't get deal done at deadline

Ansar Khan

on April 03, 2013 at 4:19 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 4:29 PM

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland was prepared to part with some prospects and made what he felt were competitive offers on a few players, but it wasn't good enough to get a deal done.

So, the Red Wings stood pat Wednesday as the NHL trade deadline passed.

“Over the last few days we looked and tried to do a bigger deal and couldn’t get it done,'' Holland said.

The Red Wings wanted to add a top-four defenseman and a top-six forward but were not willing to part with their first-round pick, which could be fairly high if they miss the playoffs. Holland said they offered some prospects, but “at the end of the day, someone didn’t like them as much as we do or they like someone else’s players better.''

The Red Wings made what they felt was a good offer for future Hall-of-Fame forward Jaromir Jagr, but Dallas traded him to Boston on Tuesday. They liked right wing Jason Pominville, but Minnesota offered Buffalo better prospects.

Detroit made a pitch for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester before Calgary traded him to St. Louis on Monday.

The Red Wings were not interested in adding struggling right wing Marian Gaborik and his $7.5 million salary-cap hit for next season. The New York Rangers dealt Gaborik to Columbus on Wednesday.

Now, the Red Wings will make do with that they have for the final 12 games and, they hope, the playoffs. They hope to get deeper up front with the return, at some point, of forwards Darren Helm, Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson, which amounts to a third line that's been out virtually the entire season.

“We played (Monday) and there wasn’t (Henrik) Zetterberg, Samuelsson, Bertuzzi, Helm, (Kyle) Quincey,'' Holland said. “If we can get those five guys in the lineup (within) two weeks, I couldn’t do any better moves than (that). And if they don’t come back, it probably doesn’t matter what moves you make.''

He said he's not concerned about what competing clubs did to improve themselves.

“We’re trying to compete, we’re trying to rebuild, reload,'' Holland said. “You look at the moment in time. I can’t look at the moment in time. I have to look at what we’ve got and where I think we can go over the next few years, the age of the roster, who’s going to be here for a while.''

They are pleased with the progress of their young roster players and some of their prospects.

“You need your players,'' Holland said. “We’re happy with Jakub Kindl, we’re happy with Brian Lashoff, we’re happy with Brendan Smith. We’re happy with the way the kids have played. We don’t want to trade them away.''

Young players have improved the organization's depth.

“If we need forwards, Riley Sheahan deserves a chance, Landon Ferraro, we’ve got Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, Joakim Andersson, Damien Brunner, certainly on defense with the signing of Danny DeKeyser and the play of Lashoff and Kindl we think the young kids could be real good depth players for us.''

Chicago and Anaheim have separated from the pack in the Western Conference. The Red Wings, currently seventh with 41 points, are just three points behind No. 3 Minnesota. But, they're also just four points up on 11th place Columbus.

“We’re trying to compete. We’re on the bubble,'' Holland said. “Would I have liked to do a deal? Yeah, I would have liked to do a deal.''

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013

667775 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings stand pat at trade deadline, as cost for top-six forward and top-four defenseman too high

Ansar Khan

on April 03, 2013 at 2:26 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 3:10 PM

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings did not make any moves today as the 3 p.m. trading deadline passed, general manager Ken Holland said.

Holland had been working the phones the past few days in a search of a top-four defenseman or a top-six forward, but the asking prices were too high. The Red Wings were not prepared to relinquish their first-round pick, like they did last year in the deal that landed them Kyle Quincey, or a top prospect.

The club made an offer to Calgary for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who was traded Monday to St. Louis. The Red Wings also had discussions with Dallas about right wing Jaromir Jagr, who was dealt to Boston on Tuesday.

More details shortly.

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013

667776 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg expects to play Thursday; Damien Brunner sits out practice, is day-to-day

Ansar Khan

on April 03, 2013 at 1:37 PM, updated April 03, 2013 at 2:19 PM

DETROIT -- Quick update following Detroit Red Wings practice Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena.

Captain Henrik Zetterberg (groin) skated today and said he feels much better and expects to play Thursday at Phoenix (10 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

"We had a couple of days of good treatment and the goal was coming in here today and feeling good,'' Zetterberg said. "That was achieved, and hopefully no setbacks at the (morning) skate.”

Said coach Mike Babcock: "He looked good. We plan on playing him tomorrow. But with travel and you wake up tomorrow, then you decide what’s going on.''

Right wing Damien Brunner did not practice due to a minor injury and is listed as day-to-day. General manager Ken Holland said he expects Brunner to play this weekend. Babcock said Thursday still is a possibility.

Babcock said he hasn't decided whether Danny DeKeyser will make his NHL debut on Thursday, saying he'll think about it on the flight. He said Kyle Quincey (fractured cheek bone) was told to be ready to play Friday in Colorado.

"(DeKeyser) practiced today like he was playing tomorrow,'' Babcock said. "I’ll talk about it with the coaches on the flight. When we put Danny in, it’ll be because we think he’s going to help us win. It’s not because we think we owe him a game or anything like that.''

Todd Bertuzzi (back, leg) continues to practice but said he is at least a week away from playing and he's still experiencing some pain and hasn't had much contact or gone full speed on the ice.

Mikael Samuelsson (upper body, day-to-day) skated at the start of practice but left the ice early.

"(Bertuzzi) and Sammy are in a spot when you don’t know when they’ll be available,'' Babcock said. "There was some contact today and Bert seemed to get through it.''

Darren Helm (back) continues to skate on his own and won't make the trip. He said doctors told him he can start pushing it on the ice to see how the back responds.

Jimmy Howard will start in goal Thursday.

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013

667777 Detroit Red Wings

Did Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk reveal future plans in Tweet to Tigers' ace Justin Verlander?

Brendan Savage

on April 03, 2013 at 11:05 AM, updated April 03, 2013 at 11:14 AM

Did Detroit Red Wings' forward Pavel Datsyuk tip his hand as to future plans during a Tweet this week to Justin Verlander congratulating the Detroit Tigers' ace on his record-breaking contract?

It depends on how you want to interpret things.

Datsyuk might have just been kidding – which seems to be the likely scenario – or he might have been hinting that the Red Wings won't have enough money to re-sign him when his contract expires after next season.

Here's the Tweet Datsyuk posted Tuesday:

"@JustinVerlander congrats on the new contract! Mr. Ilitch spent all his money. Nothing left for me :-)."

Verlander's response?

"@Datsyuk13 thanks man. Dinner is on me."

In case you missed it, Verlander became the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball history last week, when the Tigers signed him to a contract extension that will pay him $180 million over the next seven seasons.

Mike Ilitch owns both the Tigers and Red Wings and it won't be long until signing Datsyuk becomes one of the Red Wings' top priorities.

Datsyuk, 34, spent the lockout playing in his native Russia.

During training camp, Datsyuk told MLive.com that it was his dream to eventually return to Russia and play fulltime in his country.

"It's my kind of dream to come back and enjoy it with Russian fans because they pull for me in the beginning,'' he said. "You never know how career go.

"Home (Russia) always good. It's long time don't play in Russia (since 2004-05). Lots of Russian friends. Always welcome home; it's nice, positive. You never know next time to play in front of Russian fans.''

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.04.2013

667778 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ defenseman ready to shoulder the load

By Chuck Pleiness

Posted: Wednesday, 04/03/13 06:20 pm

DETROIT – After playing three games in four nights, Wings defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo seems to have put the shoulder injury that sidelined him pretty much the entire season behind him.

“I think that’s been my mindset for the last couple of days, just getting back to being a hockey player again,” Colaiacovo said after practice Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. “It’s been an unbelievable feeling. I took advantage of my day off yesterday to get some much-needed rest. Coming off three really good games, I want to keep building on that momentum as a player and a person.”

Colaiacovo missed 33 games after suffering a sprained left shoulder in the second game of the season. He returned to the lineup in Monday’s 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

He played two games with the Grand Rapids Griffins over the weekend as part of a conditioning stint.

“I think the biggest battle I was fighting was the third game in four nights, but I didn’t let that become an issue for me,” Colaiacovo said. “I let the adrenaline take me through it. At the end of the day, my hockey sense and my experience got me through it. I’m confident in myself and I’m confident in my abilities. It’s just felt so great to be out there. You’re out there in the middle of a game, you’re into it, you’re making hits and plays and at the end of the day, it was a huge important win for us and that was a very gratifying feeling.”

Now Colaiacovo just has to focus on remaining in the lineup. When Brian Lashoff joins the team in Phoenix, the Wings will have nine healthy defensemen to choose from.

“Depth is never a bad thing to have on defense,” Colaiacovo said. “If you look at the unfortunate turn of events we’ve had this year, we’re going to need every guy going into this thing. It makes guys stay on top of their game, because there are guys pushing to get into the lineup. There’s a case to make for every guy on our back end that they deserve to play every night. I’m not the coach, I don’t make those decisions. I just worry about what I need to do, focus on what I need to bring on a daily basis.”

Not talking contract

Wings forward Valtteri Filppula said he’s not letting his pending unrestricted free agency become a distraction this season.

“You automatically think about it, but I’ve been trying to put little thought into it because it’s not going to do me any good,” Filppula said. “We’ll see what happens, but it’s definitely interesting times. It’s been a great place to be, great team. Obviously you always want to be on a team like that.”

Filppula is in the final year of a contact that’s paying him $3 million.

“There’s nothing going on right now,” Filppula said.

He’s reportedly looking for a deal that will give him a $2 million increase per season.

“I don’t think it matters that much to me,” Filppula said when asked if he wished he was close to a deal. “I think the focus should be on playing right now. And then when the time comes to think about that stuff I will do that.”

Ins and outs

Forward Henrik Zetterberg (groin) skated Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, but Damien Brunner missed practice with an undisclosed injury.

“We think one of them is playing,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said after practice.

Zetterberg is quite optimistic he’ll play after missing the last two games.

“We had a couple of days of good treatment and the goal was coming in here today and feeling good,” Zetterberg said. “That was achieved and hopefully no setbacks at the (morning) skate.”

The defensive pairings could be the same as they were Monday or there could be changes with either Kyle Quincey (jaw) or rookie Danny DeKeyser getting inserted into the lineup.

“(DeKeyser) practiced today like he was playing,” Babcock said. “I’ll talk about it with the coaches in on the flight. When we put Danny in it’ll be because we think he’s going to help us win. It’s not because we think we owe him a game or anything like that.

“I think I’m going to put (Quincey) in against Colorado,” Babcock added. “I talked to him already. But I’ve got a long flight to figure that out for sure. I was going to play him back to back, but we’ll see.”

Quincey said he’s getting more used to wearing a cage, which he’ll have to wear the rest of the season.

“As a hockey player you always want to play,” Quincey said. “When you’re out of the lineup for two to three weeks you always want to get back in it. I’m good to go for sure one of these next two games. I’d play through anything, but the doctor’s know how bad the break was and how fragile I am so they’ll talk with the coaching staff and make a decision.”

Forward Mikael Samuelsson (upper-body injury) skated part of practice before leaving.

Jimmy Howard will start in goal against Phoenix.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 04.04.2013

667779 Detroit Red Wings

No trades for Red Wings

By Chuck Pleiness

DETROIT – Red Wings’ coach Mike Babcock said after practice Wednesday that he’s 100 percent comfortable with his current roster.

And that’s what he’ll have to work with as the Wings look to extend their consecutive years in the playoffs to 22 as the team was unable to pull off a move on trade deadline day.

“I never ever felt like we were going to do anything to be honest with you,” Babcock said. “I kind of like what we’ve got going and the direction we’re heading in. We’ve got some kids that are really coming. We’re trying to figure out which kids will help us be successful. There are a few more kids in the minors, particularly (Riley) Sheahan I’d like to have a look at as well. We’re going to keep doing what we can as will the players.”

The Wings’ lineup has been decimated with injuries all season, along the blue line and at forward.

They’ve yet to play with the lineup they thought they would have once the season began.