Detroit Red Wings

The sides can agree to an extension at any time, but the contract can't be registered with the league or announced until July 5, the first day of free agency.

I actually cheered out loud when Daniel Paille scored the OT game-winner on Saturday night. I'm embracing that I was really happy to see the Bruins pull off game 2. I don't care if that means I'm accidentally rooting for Jeremy Jacobs. Kiss my ass. Mark Streit got a four-year deal from Phillyf or $5.25M per. You want Holland chucking that kind of cash at a 35+ player? The Flyers are absolutely going to have to use a buyout, but they have to wait until 48 hours after the Cup Final is done before they can do it. They can register the Streit contract though because it goes into effect in July, so there's no trouble just yet. Griffins and Crunch play game 6 tomorrow. Grand Rapids won only one game in their own barn and now needs to find a way to take 1 of 2 at the War Memorial in Syracuse. We'll have an open thread for that one tomorrow, but for tonight, we've just got the NHL. Game starts at 8 on NBCSN.

A lot has happened since the last time I posted something. I know I said that we’d keep you up to speed, then pretty much disappeared. Oops. Won’t happen again. Until it does. Updates after the jump: If you haven’t been paying attention, the Griffins have a 3-2 series lead on the Syracuse Crunch. That’s great, but they were up 3-0 and have let the Crunch, an unbelievably talented team, back into the series. I still believe that losing is the best teacher, but at some point will someone in this organization learn to close out a series? Their next chance is Tuesday night at 7. The Red Wings have signed Drew Miller to 3 year deal worth $4.05 million. That’s $1.35 million per year. Too high? A steal? I’m fine with it considering what the team pays other players. He still makes less than Jordin Tootoo, Samuelsson and Bert. He’s a really good penalty killer who chips in timely scoring. Speaking of Drew Miller, I read something about him recently on this very blog. Drew Miller is probably gone, too. Ha! Who wrote that!? Fire his stupid ass! The Red Wings are having a hard time reaching a deal with Damien Brunner. Because of course. This is a tough call, for sure. Brunner has not played enough games to warrant a big contract, no matter what his numbers ended up being, but he has enough potential that the Wings don’t want to lose him for nothing. Being a UFA means no arbitrator can step in. If Brunner waits until July 5 to sign, I think some team will toss a bunch of money at him and he’ll be gone. I want Brunner on this team, but if he wants too much money, then let someone else pay it. According to Mlive, the Wings are interested in Florida Panthers’ UFA Stephen Weiss. "They have several teams that have contacted them and said, 'if you do decide to trade him, we are interested,' " Friedman reported Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada's Hot Stove segment. "The three I could confirm were Dallas, Detroit and Toronto." He’s a good 2-way forward, but he had a bad year this year. Partly because he was hurt most of the year, but mostly because the Panthers sucked. He made $4.1 million last year. I don’t know if he’d be expecting a raise or not, though. He has family in Detroit, for what it’s worth. Which is a lot, I guess, considering how last year’s free agency went. Hey, maybe Mr. Ilitch can buy a mansion in the Detroit area for Stamkos’ parents… That’s all I know right now. Any other bits of news out there we should know about? Just for fun, who are you cheering for in the Cup Finals? I'm pulling for Boston because I'd never pull for Chicago. I'd push them over a balcony, though.

Elliotte Friedman of CBC reported Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada that the Red Wings have told the Panthers they'd be interested in negotiating with Weiss if Florida wants to trade his rights.

Red Wings News Late Draft Picks Lead to Red Wings' Success | The Hockey WritersInteresting article but they had one mistake: They said that Jan Mursak still has hope of becoming the latest "late-round steal" for the Wings. Doesn't look like it to me. Kronwall compares rookie DeKeyser to Lidstrom | ProHockeyTalkExact quote: "He never puts himself in trouble," Kronwall said of DeKeyser. "It kind of felt like he played a little bit like Nick Lidstrom that way. He’s just very smart and just read the situations." 2013 Red Wings Unrestricted Free Agents | Let's Go Detroit Red WingsAnother take on the Wings upcoming UFA's. The Datsyukian Geek: Drew Miller Returns, and That's a Good Thing For that price, it's a great thing. 2013 Detroit Red Wings Player Review: Todd Bertuzzi I don't see him being bought out. Especially if Cleary leaves. Report: Red Wings taking look at Panthers center Stephen Weiss | The Detroit News If Filppula leaves, we need another centerman. Weiss would do the trick. Coach Jeff Blashill shy about taking credit for Griffins' long playoff run | Detroit Free Press | freep.com He's not taking credit but his success's in GR may make him the next head coach of the Dallas Stars. NHL News Phoenix Coyotes moving to Seattle? Roenick reportedly part of Plan B for NHL | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! SportsAnd Quebec sits idly around. Rangers remain quiet on whether Vigneault will be new coach | TSN I still think that Messier should get the job. In honour of his Vezina win, watch the best of ‘Bobrovsky!’ by Jay Onrait (Video) | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! SportsBOBROVSKY! Cup final almost an annual event for Hawks’ Hossa | Montreal Gazette2008,.2009, 2010, and 2013 - Years Hossa has been to the cup final. Davidson on Bobrovsky: ‘We think we’ll get him signed’ | ProHockeyTalkThe entire city of Philadelphia is hoping that he doesn't get signed. Bruins' Tuukka Rask stars in NHL playoffs just as goalie he took over for did in 2011 - The Hockey NewsMaybe it's the system he plays in? Reports: Kings have interest in signing former prospect Holloway | ProHockeyTalkL.A. drafted him in 2006. Rusnak: Subban goes from holdout to award winner | TSN Bergevin has to be both happy for Subban but also so extremely pissed at himself for not signing him long-term. Sens to give Alfredsson all time he needs to decide on retirement | ProHockeyTalkHe's earned that right. Play Doc Emrick bingo, thanks to the NBC announcer’s amazing list of synonyms for ‘pass’ | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! SportsThis is my favorite one: And he stashed it over to Paille. Stashed it? Report: Islanders trying to bring prospect Petrov back from KHL | ProHockeyTalkSome players just don't want to play over here. If they are getting the same paycheck or even more in the KHL why leave for the NHL? Let's Go Red Wings & Griffins!

The Red Wings have a lot on their plate heading into the summer. The salary cap is dropping significantly and there are more players with the potential to play on the active roster than there are spots to accommodate them. Detroit confirmed one spot recently, however, with the signing of forward Drew Miller to a 3-year deal. The reaction I've seen across Red Wings Nation has been divided, to say the least: Some agree with the signing and are glad it happened, while some like Drew's style but don't feel there's room for him anymore, and others downright don't like him and wish he were already gone. My thought? You can do FAR worse than Drew Miller. I'm glad he's staying. Miller brings a lot of things to the table. This isn't a 'devil you know' situation, because there's no devil. Drew Miller is a bottom 6 forward who brings it every night and is usable in numerous situations. He's never been on the roster to generate high production numbers, so it's a moot point to say he doesn't have a scoring touch. Drew gets a goal here and there and helps set up some production, but it's his defensive awareness and his tenacity on the penalty kill that has made him a mainstay in Hockeytown. As far as I'm concerned, the Red Wings' special teams units are the ones that need the most TLC and attention, and having Drew Miller on the PK makes that task that much easier. There will be departures, and there will be buyouts. I think the guys we have available might be a bit thinner than some people expect by the time training camp rolls around. One thing is for sure, though: Drew Miller isn't going anywhere, and I'm pleased as Punch about it.

Detroit Red Wings alternate captain Niklas Kronwall will serve as the grand marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Tyler Clary who trained at University of Michigan will serve as the honorary starter for the race, and Seth Gold of Detroit's "Hardcore Pawn" will serve as pace car driver.

Griffins Can't Get By Crunch or Officiating in 3-2 LossMursak notches 11th in loss...By Jason Kasiorekwww.griffinscentral.comJune 14th, 2013It was probably too much to expect the defending Calder Cup Champions to lay down and die in four straight games, especially with the officiating turning a blind eye on their thuggery. Joakim Andersson gave Grand Rapids an early lead with his second of the playoffs before Connelly tied things up a few minutes later. Mursak (11) restored the lead but the Crunch rallied back again scoring the tying and winning goals late in the second. The Griffins spent the first part of the third period killing off a major for Spearing assessed to Nyquist. The two teams will meet again Saturday night for Game five. The Griffins having trouble in their own end right out of the gate, can't clear the puck. Tatar ended up taking a bad penalty and the Crunch had an early powerplay. Andersson picked up a pass from Evans, walked in and wired a shot in under Desjardins Blocker for an early lead. The lead was short-lived however as less than a minute and a half later Connelly picked up an errant pass went in alone and put it under Mrazek five-hole to tie the score at one. The fourth line made their presence known in their first shift of the game with a couple of big hits. Hoggan fired a shot on net using the defenseman as a screen and Mursak followed up and stuffed the loose puck into the net before Desjardins could react. Jurco stole the puck in a crowd of players, worked his magic and ended up with a shot from the high slot. Syracuse ran Mrazek and a big scrum broke out. Incredibly Evans ended up with the extra two minutes leaving GR short a man. The officials reviewed something on the screen in the video booth. Shots on Goal: GR 10 - SYR 8. Glendening and Mursak with a shorthanded two on one to set up a great scoring chance, but the official prematurely blew the whistle and the play died with Mursak trying to stuff the loose puck in the crease. More scrumming after the whistle. Mrazek came way out to play the puck and turned it over, but Dekeyser had gotten back and blocked the shot at the vacated net. Syracuse getting away with a lot behind the play holding and getting extra whacks on Griffins players with out a call. Mursak stole the puck on an attempted clear by Desjardins, had a great scoring chance and drew a penalty. The Griffins number one powerplay put up an abysmal effort. Skinner showing rust has no confidence to carry the puck, circling back and dropping it off. Palat scored with a blast from the circle to tie things up again. Nyquist stole the puck in deep and hit Andersson who couldn't get the puck over Desjardins' pad. Dekeyser with a monster hit at the line. The Griffins got running around in their own end and couldn't get the puck out and Panik at the edge of the crease, popped in a cross ice pass to give the Crunch their first lead. The interplay between Nyquist and Panik boiled over and Nyquist speared him in the groin, earning him a major penalty and a game misconduct. Shots on Goal: GR 7 - SYR 6. The Griffins PK was up to the task killing off several minutes of the 5 minute Syracuse man advantage. Sustr took a penalty, negating two minutes of his teams powerplay. DeKeyser coughed up the puck right by the net, leading to a Crunch scoring chance. Jurco came out of the box and was hit for a breakaway but was taken down from behind with no call. DeKeyser smoked Connelly with a big hit along the boards. Angelidis went by the net behind the play and pulled Mrazek's feet out from under him, ala Slapshot, leaving the netminder helmetless and on his back. Incredibly they penalized Mrazek for Diving, drawing the ire of the crowd yet again. Jurco tried to gain the line at the zone and a Crunch player put the stick between his legs and spun him around and down but of course no call. Jurco took the puck behind the net and just missed scoring on a wraparound. Mrazek stopped a breakaway at the other end whe

Busy day in hockey. Yesterday, they announced the first set of NHL awards. Here are your winners: Selke: Jonathan Toews Not a travesty, but not the guy who should have won Jack Adams: Paul MacLean The most-deserving of the three finalists, but I'm mad that Babcock ended up 10th in voting Mark Messier Leadership Award: Daniel Alfredsson This is a dumb award and I hope it goes away because Messier starts coaching the Rangers. Still, congrats to Alfredsson GM of the Year: Ray Shero The sheen has kind of come off after the Douglas Murray deal, but Shero is as deserving as anybody Masterton Trophy: Josh Harding Even if I have a problem with how this award has turned into the "Guy who lived through the worst shit" trophy, I really like Josh Harding and can't think of a way he shouldn't have won it under a different definition for the award. Lady Byng: Martin St. LouisNobody hates this guy. He's a great choice, though I'm kind of disappointed Kane didn't win it because that would have been dumb. Corey Emmerton and Drew Miller both received votes for this award. King Clancy: Patrice BergeronLeadership on and off the ice and noteworthy humanitarian contribution to community. I told you Patrice Bergeron is the only likable player in Boston. NHL Foundation Award: Henrik ZetterbergHank won this for the Zetterberg Foundation, which he and his wife Emma have run since they married. The foundation will get $25,000 to build water stations in Ethiopia Tonight, they'll reveal the rest of the award winners Hart Memorial (Most-Valuable Player: I've heard whispers it will be Ovechkin, but it should be Crosby)Calder Memorial (Rookie of the Year: I don't care who wins)James Norris Memorial: (Best all-around defenseman: Nick Kypreos said Subban will win it. If not him, it would be Ryan Suter. If Kris Letang wins it, the PHWA should be replaced by monkeys with typewriters)Vezina: (Best goaltender: Go Bobrovsky)Ted Lindsay Award (MVP as voted by the NHLPA: Crosby will get this one) You can tune in to NBCSN or CBC at 7pm tonight and watch the announcement of the winners OR, you can watch hockey at 7pm tonight as the Griffins look to finish off the Syracuse Crunch after losing Game 4 last night 3-2. Grand Rapids had a 2-1 lead for much of the game, but couldn't hold on as two 2nd period Crunch goals was enough. We thought the Griffins had tied it with 17.4 seconds left, but it went to replay and the puck never went into the net. Since we apparently can't have a game without controversy, the one from last night (which carries into today) is the five-minute major and subsequent ejection received by Gustav Nyquist for spearing Richard Panik late in the 2nd. Here's a Vine of the replay. It's not very clear, but based on everything I've learned about what kind of player Richard Panik is, I'm going to go with the theory that this is an embarrassing flop carried out by a rat player. For a spear, there certainly doesn't seem to be much (if any) stabbing force apparent in Nyquist's arms. Nothing has come out from the AHL just yet, but the ejection is supposed to carry an automatic $200 fine and a review from the league president. That can be headed off if the President decides to rescind the major. All I know is that if Nyquist is suspended without a subsequent release of much clearer video evidence which actually shows a spear, I'm not watching the game on AHL Live or any other service. Hey, if you're into NHL playoff hockey, you're in luck. After a marathon Game 1 that saw the Bruins lose a two-goal lead and then fall in the third overtime period on a crazy double-deflection goal, the two teams are back at it for Game 2 at 8pm tonight on NBCSN (guess NBC doesn't want to lose viewers of Law & Order: SVU). This should turn out to be a pretty great series, as it seems both teams are pretty evenly matched. The Bruins are going to have to adjust to playing the best team they've faced so far though. Despite how long it took, Chicago deserved to w

The award recognizes the NHL player who applies the core values of hockey -- commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- to enrich the lives of people in his community.