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He scored 658 goals and 1,354 points in a 21-season career spent with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers and Wings. He won Stanley Cups with the Wings in 1997, 1998 and 2002.
In a move that could benefit both sides, the Red Wings announced Monday that assistant coach Jeff Blashill will coach Detroit's minor league team. Blashill will take over the Grand Rapids vacancy created when Curt Fraser left this month to become an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars.
Oates played 19 seasons in the NHL, including parts of six seasons with the Capitals. He broke into the NHL with the Red Wings and played for them in 1985-89.
Blashill had been an assistant coach with the Wings. He replaces Curt Fraser, who left the Griffins to become an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars last week. Blashill previously was the head coach at Western Michigan.
A recent story about Lions players making the list of the NFL's biggest jerks got us thinking: What players would make the Detroit sports fan's list of biggest jerks in sports?
Jiri Fischer showed a lot of faith in forward Martin Frk when they were together in 2011 on the Czech Republic world junior team. Fischer was an assistant coach for the Czechs and recommended that Frk play the point on the power play.
Helene answered your questions about free agency and more.
Not only does the Michigan State hockey program like its recent recruits, so does the NHL. Four of MSU's incoming players were picked by pro teams via the NHL draft Saturday.
Count the Pittsburgh Penguins among the Red Wings' biggest competition for forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter.
We discussed the serious matter of Detroit sports this afternoon.
Welcome to our two-minute drill, which will give you a snapshot of what's going on with the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, Spartans and Wolverines each day.
The Red Wings believe Martin Frk is a first-round talent who lasted until the 49th overall pick in the second round. The Wings didn't have a first-round pick on Friday, so Frk (pronounced ferk) was their first selection in Saturday's NHL Entry Draft at the Consol Energy Center.
Each week, Steve Schrader hands out "Stevies" to the best, the worst and the weirdest from the week that was in sports. This week's Stevies:
Test your knowledge of current sports events for the last week: (For the most part, there are no right or wrong answers, so everybody scores a 5.)
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is excited about the possibility of bringing in European unrestricted free agent Damien Brunner. Swiss media are reporting that Brunner will sign with the Wings, though he cannot officially do so until July 1, and Babcock certainly thinks he's heading to Detroit.
Here are players with local ties taken in the NHL Entry Draft, listed by round, pick and club:
Rick Nash is still a member of the Blue Jackets. At least for the moment. Columbus held onto its captain during the NHL draft this weekend despite speculation the club could trade the nine-year veteran to stock up on young talent as part of a rebuilding process.
The Red Wings drafted forward Martin Frk with the 49th overall pick in the second round, then took Saginaw Spirit goaltender Jake Paterson with the 80th overall pick in the third round.
Kris Draper and Chris Osgood can relate to being nervous and then relieved when finally hearing their names called at the NHL draft. Several young men will experience that today when the Red Wings pick at the Consol Energy Center. The Wings didn't have a first-round pick Friday. They are scheduled to pick 49th overall in the second round, which begins at 10 a.m. today.
Two players with local ties were selected in the first round of the NHL draft Friday. Defenseman Jacob Trouba (Rochester) of the Ann Arbor-based U.S. National Team Development Program was selected ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets, and Plymouth Whalers forward Thomas Wilson went 16th overall to the Washington Capitals at the Consol Energy Center.
Kris Draper would have traded the pick. Draper, attending his first NHL draft since being selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round in 1989, was asked what he would have done with the first pick. Draper is in his first year as a special assistant to the Red Wings, after retiring following the 2010-11 season. The draft is being held over two days.
HONORS The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame formally will enshrine the latest class of athletes and sports figures at the 56th Induction Event on Aug. 16 at the Gem Theatre in Detroit.
Jordan Staal played six seasons in Pittsburgh, and it took about 2 hours, 25 minutes to move him out of the city. On Staal's wedding day, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes for center Brandon Sutter, defenseman Brian Dumoulin and the eighth overall pick that became Derrick Pouliot, considered one of the top skaters available in the draft.
The Detroit Red Wings appear to have reeled in Damien Brunner, a sought-after European unrestricted free agent. General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press the Wings have interest in Brunner, but “he’s under contract for ’12-'13, so we’ll see where it goes.”
Jacob Trouba (Rochester) of the Ann Arbor-based U.S. National Team Development Program was selected ninth overall by the Jets in the NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh.
The Red Wings don't pick until the second round because of a trade with the Avalanche for Kyle Quincey during the season. But that doesn't mean there isn't any intrigue around the first round of the NHL draft tonight in Pittsburgh.
Plymouth Whalers forward Thomas Wilson impressed NHL scouts at the Canadian Hockey League's Top Prospects game in January with his scoring ability and toughness -- he suffered a broken knuckle fighting Saskatoon defenseman Dalton Thrower.
George answered your questions about the NHL draft, the Wings' future and more.
Here are players with local ties who are likely to be drafted, listed by their final North American ranking by NHL Central Scouting:
They foray into Canada starting Oct. 27 with a trip that begins in Winnipeg, then go on to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. The end of November through mid-late December features 10 of 11 games at home. As has been habit, the Wings have to go on the road immediately after Christmas -- Dec. 26 at Carolina, Dec. 27 at Pittsburgh, and Dec. 29 at Ottawa.
Remember that Seinfeld episode where Kramer decides to take a car to the limit of its fuel tank? Kris Draper and Chris Osgood lived that today.
Sports Illustrated’s Adrian Dater asked Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk what it would be like to play without retired captain Nicklas Lidstrom.
Can't play because of cramps? Don't tell that to hockey players.
With all the rich history among the Tigers, Red Wings, Lions and Pistons, there's not as much Detroit love throughout the 100 listed.
Welcome to our two-minute drill, which will give you a snapshot of what's going on with the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, Spartans and Wolverines each day.
Boston’s Patrice Bergeron has won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward, beating out Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk. Montreal left wing and Michigan alumnus Max Pacioretty won the Masterton Trophy for his remarkable comeback from a serious back injury.
Jaromir Jagr intrigued the Red Wings a year ago, and once again has their interest. While the Wings are emphasizing getting younger, Jagr is in a class of himself, like Selanne, like Nicklas Lidstrom was.
Retired Detroit Red Wings player Darren McCarty, who took out a personal protection order against a former girlfriend, testified today that he feared for his family and believes comments the woman made on Facebook were threatening.
Mike answered questions about the NHL draft, the Whalers and more this morning.
Red Wings forward Darren Helm planned to go fishing Tuesday afternoon; how could he not after he had begun the day reeling in a nice new contract?
Nashville GM David Poile is resigned to the idea that defenseman Ryan Suter is going to test free agency, but not to losing him.
Welcome to our two-minute drill, which will give you a snapshot of what's going on with the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, Spartans and Wolverines each day.
It's the awards shows that's so nice, they're airing it twice: The NHL Awards in Las Vegas are on the NBC Sports Network and CBC, and what better way to spend on off-night for the NBA Finals.
The Red Wings will start the 2012-13 season playing the same team with which they ended last season: The Nashville Predators. Everything could change, however, if there's a labor dispute between the league and the Players Association.
The Red Wings have locked up forward Darren Helm for the next four years, securing the services of their fastest forward. The deal is worth $8.5 million, or $2.125 million against the cap. "It's definitely nice that they see me as a player that deserves that," Helm told the Free Press.
COUNTDOWN: Samuelsen counts down the top five Detroit athletes he would pick in a franchise draft. Does he have Lions receiver Calvin Johnson at No. 1? Or does he pick one of the Tigers' marquee players? Read on, vote in our poll and discuss!
Jacob answered your questions this morning.
Luke Glendening, a former Michigan hockey forward and Grand Rapids native, signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL
Datysuk is in the running for best defensive forward. Ceremonies will take place at the Encore Theater at Wynn in Las Vegas.
Welcome to our two-minute drill, which will give you a snapshot of what's going on with the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, Spartans and Wolverines each day.
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