Mike Babcock has been Detroit’s bench boss for the last 10 years. Four division titles, three President’s Trophy wins, two Stanley Cup Finals appearances and a championship in 2008, and 10 consecutive playoff berths later, hockey’s longest tenured head coach is a free agent, and being courted by a handful of teams. Detroit has made it clear they’d like Babcock back, but are ready to promote Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill should Babcock ultimately leave the Red Wings. Here are the three top factors that will most likely influence Babcock’s decision.
Michael Whitaker
Petr Mrazek is no stranger to pressure
Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek has emerged as one of the surprise stories of the season, and has led the Red Wings thus far to a 2-1 series advantage over the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning. But although he might be a rookie when it comes to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, this isn’t his first … Read more
The Detroit Red Wings: A legendary and memorable playoff streak
There’s Slava Kozlov beating Ed Belfour five-hole to advance Detroit to the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals. There’s Darren McCarty dangling past Janne Niinimaa to score the 1997 Stanley Cup winning goal. Don’t forget Steve Yzerman’s blast in double overtime of Game 7 of the 1996 Western Conference Semi-Finals to bury St. Louis.
Hockeytown, we have a problem. Is it Jimmy Howard?
It’s time to be concerned in Hockeytown. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner, and the Detroit Red Wings may officially have a goaltending problem.
Top 5 goalie masks in the NHL today
Jim Rutherford is recognized as the first goaltender to add decoration in the form of paint to his goalie mask. Since then, goaltenders have added their own stories to their play on the ice by decorating their masks in both team design and personal touch. Several masks could have made this list, but here’s my top five masks in the NHL today.
(Featured image via NHL.com)
Darren Helm set to return Thursday against the Panthers
Detroit Red Wings fans everywhere received an extra good luck charm on St. Patrick’s Day – the news that forward Darren Helm is ready to return to the lineup after having missed the last seven games with a strained oblique muscle.
Gustavsson injured in loss, Mrazek to be recalled
The Detroit Red Wings dropped a 5-3 decision to the Boston Bruins on Sunday afternoon, but they ended up losing out on more than the two points in the standings.
Stars’ Benn avoids discipline for Zetterberg sucker-punch; NHL drops the ball again
Just as it does with it’s officiating on a near nightly basis, the NHL continues to send mixed messages. Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg is currently absent from the lineup for the first time this season with concussion-like symptoms. The reason? A sucker-punch to the head from Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn. Zetterberg has missed … Read more
Johan Franzen: How Many More Kicks for the Mule?
NOTE: The views expressed in this EDITORIAL do not necessarily reflect the views of Detroit Sports Nation or a majority of its writers and should not be misconstrued as such. The views contained within are the views of the author and the author alone. During his first training camp with the Red Wings, winger Johan … Read more
Red Wings call up Marchenko; waive Lashoff
In an effort to spark the offense of the blue line, the Red Wings have called up right-handed defenseman Alexei Marchenko from the Grand Rapids griffins and sent down Xavier Oullett. The Red Wings have also waived defenseman Brian Lashoff, who will be assigned to the Griffins if he goes unclaimed by the 29 other … Read more
Gustavsson Close to Returning
Red Wings backup goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, known by his nickname of “Monster”, is close to returning to the Detroit lineup. Gustavsson has been on injured reserve since November 6th, when he suffered a dislocated shoulder while unsuccessfully trying to stop Derek Brassard’s game winning goal during Detroit’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. … Read more
Scherzer’s Departure Not Too Unfamiliar to Detroit Sports Fans
NOTE: The views expressed in this EDITORIAL do not necessarily reflect the views of Detroit Sports Nation or a majority of its writers and should not be misconstrued as such. The views contained within are the views of the author and the author alone. After five years with the Detroit Tigers, Max Scherzer signed an astounding … Read more
Time for an NHL Coach’s Challenge
The last thing that the NHL currently needs is another expansion into a warm-weather city, where the local population would likely wonder when the 4th quarter of a hockey game starts. However, one thing the League should seriously look into is the introduction of a coach’s challenge to an on-ice play. I’m sure most of … Read more
Red Wings Week At A Glance – Week of January 18th
It’s a short week for the Detroit Red Wings, as the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend approaches. The only match-up this week comes Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings enter the game currently riding a four-game winning streak, and currently sits 2nd overall in the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, the Wild are currently … Read more
Red Wings Week In Review
The Detroit Red Wings wrapped up the week of January 11-18, after having amassed four consecutive victories following the groin injury to starting goaltender Jimmy Howard. With 61 points, Detroit is now one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Atlantic Division lead. Howard suffered a minor groin tear in the first few minutes … Read more
Top 5 Red Wings Enforcers Since 1980
These days, the Red Wings are usually regarded as a team that relies on skill and finesse and not physical prowess. But throughout their history, the Red Wings have boasted some of the most feared players to have ever dropped the gloves, including who most regard as the greatest fighter in hockey history. Here are … Read more
