Detroit Red Wings Clips June 25, 2015

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1 Detroit Red Wings Clips June 25, 2015 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Upcoming Wings camp will give prospects chance to shine PAGE 3 NHL awards: Datsyuk loses Byng to ex-red Wing Hudler PAGE 5 Could Wings trade down in draft? Team weighs options PAGE 7 Red Wings' home opener will be vs. Babcock's Leafs PAGE 8 Wings' Henrik Zetterberg honored for humanitarian works PAGE 10 Expectations high for UM's Werenski, 17, in draft PAGE 12 Wings' home opener against Babcock, Leafs PAGE 13 Shoeless' Jiri Hudler wins Lady Byng Trophy, edging former Red Wings teammate Pavel Datsyuk PAGE 15 Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg wins King Clancy Trophy for leadership, humanitarian contribution PAGE 16 Red Wings to hold annual development camp July 3-7 in Traverse City PAGE 17 NHL Board approves three-on-three overtime, will start accepting bids for expansion teams PAGE 18 Jeff Blashill and Red Wings to host Mike Babcock's Toronto Maple Leafs Oct. 9 in home opener PAGE 19 Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk up for fifth Lady Byng Trophy tonight in NHL awards ceremony PAGE 20 Pat Caputo - Don't be surprised if the Detroit Red Wings get it right again in NHL Draft PAGE 22 Red Wings to play Mike Babcock, Maple Leafs in home opener

2 Upcoming Wings camp will give prospects chance to shine Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 10:05 p.m. EDT June 24, 2015 Over the next few days, the Red Wings will focus on whom to add to their farm system. Come next week, recent additions will undergo auditions to see how far they've come since being drafted including the last two first-round picks. Team management and coaching staff will be in Sunrise, Fla., for Friday's and Saturday's NHL Entry Draft, in which the Wings pick 19th, 73rd, 110th, 140th and 170th. After a few days home, it's off to Traverse City for the annual Development Camp at Centre Ice Arena, July 3-7. The full roster that will be split into Team Red and Team White won't be released until after the draft, but at least three marquee names are already on it. Dylan Larkin, taken 15th overall in the 2014 draft, will be back for a second straight camp appearance, fresh off a year during which he impressed at every level from U-M to the World Junior Championship to the World Championship to the AHL. Tyler Bertuzzi, a sleeper pick taken in the second round in 2013, will also be there. He turned pro in spring after a standout season with Guelph (OHL) and was an impact player for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL playoffs. Anthony Mantha, the Wings' first-round (20th overall) pick from 2013, is also on the roster. Barring complications, expect at least Detroit's first-round pick from this year's draft to be at the camp, too. There will be daily on-ice instruction led by new Griffins coach Todd Nelson, as well as classes on being a pro hockey player on and off the ice. All practices, and scrimmages on July 4 and 7, are open to the public. Tickets are available in-person only at Centre Ice Arena for $5 per day. Centre Ice will also host the Wings' training camp in September. Notes: Griffins goaltender Tom McCollum, the Wings' first-round (30th) pick from 2009, is a pending unrestricted free agent. Assistant general manager Ryan Martin said the Wings will meet with McCollum's camp at the draft and "discuss where we are, whether we have opportunity for him." Detroit Free Press LOADED:

3 NHL awards: Datsyuk loses Byng to ex-red Wing Hudler Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 9:23 p.m. EDT June 24, 2015 Detroit Red Wings present and past were honored at the NHL's annual awards celebration Wednesday night in Las Vegas, albeit Pavel Datsyuk fell short in his bid for a fifth Lady Byng Trophy. At 648 voting points, Datsyuk finished second to former Wing Jiri Hudler's 700 points for the Lady Byng, which recognizes gentlemanly play with a high standard of ability. Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg was awarded the King Clancy Trophy for exemplifying leadership on and off the ice and service to the community. Zetterberg and his wife, Emma, have numerous local initiatives including being a spokesman for the annual smoke detector drive, which since 2006 has distributed 20,684 units to benefit low-income and physically limited residents. The Zetterbergs host children charities at each Wings home game in the Zetterberg Foundation Suite. They also have initiatives in Ethiopia, Guatemala and Nepal. Zetterberg did not attend the awards show. He and his wife are expecting their first child this summer. Steve Yzerman, whom Zetterberg used to sit next to in the Wings' locker room, took home general manager of the year in his fifth year running the Tampa Bay Lightning. He gave a speech reflecting his thoughtfulness thanking an assistant who just had a baby and his wit, noting his wife and daughters were probably watching back in metro Detroit "if the Kardashians aren't on." Datsyuk finished fifth in Selke voting with 238 voting points (including three first-place votes). Boston's Patrice Bergeron was the winner with 1,083 points. In one of the most aberrant votes of the night, Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall who'd be the first to admit he isn't the best defenseman in the NHL got one first-place vote for the Norris Trophy. The winner was Ottawa's Erik Karlsson. Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Detroit Free Press News Services contributed to this report. Be sure that you follow Freep Sports on Twitter (@freepsports) and Instagram and like us on Facebook. The winners The NHL's awards were handed out Wednesday night in Las Vegas. Here are the winners (in bold) and the other finalists. Lady Byng (sportsmanship): Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit; Jiri Hudler, Calgary; Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles. Masterton (perseverance):devan Dubnyk, Minnesota; Andrew Hammond, Ottawa; Kris Letang, Pittsburgh. 3

4 Selke (top defensive forward): Patrice Bergeron, Boston; Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles; Jonathan Toews, Chicago. Messier (leadership): Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim; Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg; Jonathan Toews, Chicago. Adams (top coach):bob Hartley, Calgary; Peter Laviolette, Nashville; Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers. Calder (top rookie):aaron Ekblad, Florida; Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary; Mark Stone, Ottawa. Norris (top defenseman): Drew Doughty, Los Angeles; Erik Karlsson, Ottawa; P.K. Subban, Montreal. Vezina (top goaltender): Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota; Carey Price, Montreal; Pekka Rinne, Nashville. Lindsay (most outstanding player): Jamie Benn, Dallas; Alex Ovechkin, Washington; Carey Price, Montreal. Hart (MVP):Carey Price, Montreal; John Tavares, New York Islanders; Alex Ovechkin, Washington. Detroit Free Press LOADED:

5 Could Wings trade down in draft? Team weighs options Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 4:46 p.m. EDT June 24, 2015 The NHL is about to engage in its annual two-day gambling habit, when 30 teams bet on which players can turn into winnings. The events begin with Friday's first round, a leisurely paced showcase of the best teenaged hockey players in the world. Saturday features rounds 2-7, which is where teams can see long odds pay off. In 2011 the Wings used the 205th pick to draft defenseman Alexey Marchenko - and now he's a good bet to start next season in Detroit. The Wings hold the 19th selection on Friday at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. Their second round pick belongs to Dallas because of the Eric Cole trade, but because the Wings didn't make it out of the first round, they get Dallas' third-round pick, at 73rd. The other selections are at 110, 140, 170 and 200. Like every other team, the Wings' approach is to "pick the best player," assistant general manager Ryan Martin told the Free Press. "But we would like to add a goalie to our system, and we didn't draft any defensemen last year, partly because of what we thought of the D in the draft and also because we have young defensemen in Grand Rapids." The Wings chose six forwards and one goalie in The prize pick was taken at 15th overall, where the Wings selected Waterford's Dylan Larkin, a forward who since has excelled at U-M, World Juniors, the World Championship, and the AHL. In contrast, Anthony Mantha, whom the Wings drafted 20th overall in 2013, struggled through his first year pro. The two are good examples of the uncertainty of figuring out teenagers. "It's difficult because of differences in maturity, world experiences, upbringing, socioeconomic issues - whatever it might be, it's difficult to gauge many players' character," Martin said. "Ken Holland used to say he's got four kids and at age 18, he wasn't sure what they were going to be - and he's been around them every day of their lives. "We're trying to make our evaluations on players we've known over the course of 8-to- 16 months, on what we think they're going to be in 3-to-5 years. That's very difficult. When you're evaluating year olds, you make a lot of assumptions - they're going to get stronger; in many cases they're going to grow more. They're going to improve whatever the deficiency is that they have through proper guidance and instruction." If he's still available when the Wings pick, forward Joel Eriksson Ek is a likely choice. At 18 he's already 6-foot-2, and he split between Farjestad Jr (21 goals, 11 assists, 25 games) and Farjestad Swedish Hockey League (4 goals, 2 assists, 34 games). Other players projected to be mid-to-late first-round picks include forwards Travis Konecny (OHL), Brock Boeser (USHL) and Denis Guryanov (KHL) and 5

6 defensemen Noah Juulsen (WHL), Thomas Chabot (QMJHL), Oliver Kylinkton (Sweden) and Jeremy Roy (QMJHL). It's possible the Wings may trade down a few picks as they did two years ago, when they moved from 18th to 20th in the first round because the Wings were certain Mantha would still be available. As a result, the Wings gained a second second-round pick, at 58th overall, and turned that into Tyler Bertuzzi. Asked about the possibility of something similar happening this year, Martin didn't rule it out. "Especially since we don't have a second-round pick, the possibility of trading back to acquire an extra pick is always there," he said. "We wait until the closest we can to our pick and then we assess the names on our list and if there is somebody that we really want that we don't want to chance that they're gone, then we wouldn't do it. But if there are several players that are all within the same range, and we are happy with any of them, then we might do it to get another pick." Martin was lukewarm on the idea of the Wings trading up. The Arizona Coyotes are rumored to be willing to trade their first-round pick, at third overall, which would put the Wings within reach of defenseman Noah Hanifin, widely considered to be NHL ready. But making a move up would be costly, and therefore "I don't think we'll do it, but you never known," Martin said. "July 1 is as bleak as it's ever been, so the only way to change the makeup of your team other than July 1 is via trade, and therefore, I think there is a lot of chatter, names being thrown around. There are some pretty high-end names being thrown out. If we were to engage in a scenario like that and picks were changing hands as an option to move up, I don't really see that happening." After years of trading first-round picks for veterans in search of immediate gratification, the Wings changed direction in 2013, the first time they had a first-round pick since drafting Riley Sheahan in Now comes the challenge of going for another jackpot win like Larkin. Detroit Free Press LOADED:

7 Red Wings' home opener will be vs. Babcock's Leafs James Jahnke, Detroit Free Press 12:15 p.m. EDT June 24, 2015 The Detroit Red Wings today announced that their home opener next season will be Oct. 9 against former coach Mike Babcock and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Puck drop on that Friday night is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Wings' full schedule is expected to be released Thursday. Detroit Free Press LOADED:

8 Wings' Henrik Zetterberg honored for humanitarian works Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 10:14 p.m. EDT June 24, 2015 Detroit Henrik Zetterberg's leadership on and off the ice was recognized Wednesday at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas. Honored in 2013 with the NHL Foundation Player Award for outstanding charitable and community work, Zetterberg and his wife, Emma, host numerous children charities including Metro Detroit area children's hospitals and mentoring non-profits at each regular season home game at Joe Louis Arena in the Zetterberg Foundation Suite. As team spokesman for the Red Wings' annual Smoke Detector Collection since 2006, Zetterberg matches all donations for the endeavor. In that time, the program has distributed 20,684 units to benefit low-income and physically disabled residents who could otherwise not afford or be able to install a smoke detector in their home. Zetterberg also funds a high school hockey scholarship each year and underwrites the Hockey Weekly High School All-Star Banquet. With the help of a $25,000 donation from the NHL for winning the Foundation Award, the Zetterberg Foundation broke ground on a water project in the village of Kemba, Ethiopia. The water project, to be completed this December, will supply 3,000 people of the village with clean, drinkable water for life. Zetterberg, the Red Wings' captain, rebound from an injury-shortened season in to lead the Red Wings in points (66) and assists (49) this past season. Zetterberg didn't attend the annual awards ceremony. In the 27-year history of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, Detroit is only the fifth NHL team to have two players receive this honor. Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan won the award in One nominee from each team is selected by vote of his fellow players. Voters from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and NHL Broadcasters' Association then selected Zetterberg from among the 30-team nominees. No Byng for Dats Pavel Datsyuk didn't win the Lady Byng Trophy but a former teammate did. Former Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler won the trophy Wednesday given to the player who best exhibits gentlemanly conduct and sportsmanship while maintaining an elite level of play. Datsyuk, who has won the Lady Byng four times, finished in second in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association with 648 points. Hudler had 700 points. Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar had 379 points. As a four-time winner of the Lady Byng ( ) Datsyuk trails only Frank Boucher (seven-time winner) and Wayne Gretzky (five). 8

9 Datsyuk had 65 points in 63 games while averaging 19 minutes of ice time. Datsyuk only had eight penalty minutes while having a plus-12 rating. Hudler finished eighth in the NHL scoring race and established career highs in goals (31), assists (45) and points (76), helping the Flames qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since Hudler tallied 23 points in March, when the team jumped from the outside of the playoff picture into third place in the Pacific Division. It marked the most points by any player in a calendar month this season. A first-time NHL Trophy finalist, Hudler was assessed just 14 penalty minutes all season, fewest among the league's top 20 scorers. Development camp The Red Wings will hold their annual development camp in Traverse City from July 3 through 7 at the Centre Ice Arena. Players will be split into two teams and work out twice July 3 once on the ice and the other off before having a scrimmage July 4. Both teams will work out twice July 5 and 6 before the camp ends with another scrimmage at 11 a.m. July 7. The rosters will not be announced until after the NHL Entry Draft this weekend. Detroit News LOADED:

10 Expectations high for UM's Werenski, 17, in draft Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 9:33 p.m. EDT June 24, 2015 If Zach Werenski has any questions about Friday's NHL draft, where he's expected to be selected early, he can always ask his Michigan roommate. Dylan Larkin, after all, was a first-round pick last year (Red Wings). "He said to just enjoy it as much as you can," said Werenski, a defenseman from Grosse Pointe Woods with size (6-foot-2, 210-pounds) and offensive instinct. "It's always good to talk to someone who has gone through something like this before." Werenski and Larkin, a Waterford native, were teammates as young teens, on the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and again at Michigan. But their chances of reuniting are unlikely since Werenski probably will be gone by the time the Red Wings pick at No. 19. Most mock drafts have Werenski going anywhere from seven to 11, although it's likely he will return to Michigan for more seasoning. "It's going to be exciting," said Werenski, who went to Grosse Pointe North before graduating from Ann Arbor Pioneer. "I've been watching the draft the last three or four years and wondering what it would be like." DETROIT NEWS Ted Kulfan's top NHL draft prospects At 17, Werenski is one of three college freshmen expected to be drafted in the first round, joining Jack Eichel (Boston University) and Noah Hanifin (Boston College). He led Michigan defensemen last season with 25 (nine goals) in 35 games. He also had 12 power-play points and a plus-9 rating to earn all-big Ten and all-big Ten freshman honors. "He's such a cool, calm and collected player," NHL Central Scouting's Greg Rajanen said. "He's the type of player you have to watch a little closely to realize how good he is. He's smart, always in the right spot, moves the puck and makes all the plays. "At the next level, Werenski will be a really a good player who will produce points and be solid defensively." Werenski grew up a Red Wings fan, and looked at Nicklas Lidstrom's game as a standard. "I loved the way he played," Werenski said. "He wasn't the biggest guy on the ice, he didn't have the longest stick, but he always made the right play and was always in the right spot. "For any young defenseman, Nick Lidstrom is a good role model." On the clock A look at some local players who could be drafted this weekend: 10

11 Nick Boka, D The 6-foot, 196-pounder from Plymouth is projected to go past the fourth round. An aggressive defender whose offense is coming along. Kyle Connor, F The 6-1, 177-pounder from Shelby Township who led the United States Hockey League with 80 points is expected to go mid-first round. Cooper Marody, F The 6-foot, 176-pounder from Brighton who scored 22 goals in the USHL is projected as a second-rounder. Brendan Warren, F The 6-foot, 192-pounder from Carleton who had 19 goals in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program could go in the second round. Zach Werenski, D The 6-2, 215-pounder from Grosse Pointe Woods is being compared to Jack Johnson and Jacob Trouba. He's a catch. Detroit News LOADED:

12 Wings' home opener against Babcock, Leafs Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 1:05 p.m. EDT June 24, 2015 Detroit The Red Wings have their home opener at Joe Louis Arena set for next season and it should be one to remember. They'll host the Toronto Maple Leafs and former Detroit coach Mike Babcock on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., according to a tweet posted Wednesday by the Red Wings. It is not known if the Wings' home opener is also their regular-season opener. The complete regular-season schedule is expected to be released Thursday. Babcock spent the last 10 seasons with the Red Wings, including winning the Stanley Cup in 2008, before leaving for Toronto last month. It'll also be the debut of new Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who served as Babcock's assistant for one season before taking over at minor-league affiliate Grand Rapids the past three seasons. The Red Wings and Toronto play twice during the exhibition season at Joe Louis Arena on Oct. 2, and the next night in Toronto. Detroit News LOADED:

13 'Shoeless' Jiri Hudler wins Lady Byng Trophy, edging former Red Wings teammate Pavel Datsyuk Ansar Khan on June 24, 2015 at 9:12 PM, updated June 24, 2015 at 10:38 PM Calgary Flames forward Jiri Hudler edged out his former Detroit Red Wings teammate Pavel Datsyuk for the Lady Byng Trophy Wednesday at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. The Lady Byng is awarded to "the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability," as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Datsyuk has won the award four times. Hudler stole the show with an entertaining acceptable speech, during which he was not wearing shoes. "I have no shoes on, sorry. Vegas, what a place," he said. Other award winners: Hart Trophy (MVP): Carey Price, Montreal Ted Lindsay Award (NHLPA MVP): Carey Price, Montreal Norris Trophy (top defenseman): Erik Karlson, Ottawa Vezina Trophy (top goaltender): Carey Price, Montreal Selke Trophy (top defensive forward): Patrice Bergeron, Boston Calder Trophy (top rookie): Aaron Ekblad, Florida Masterton Trophy (dedication, sportsmanship): Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota General manager of the year: Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Mark Messier Leadership Award: Jonathan Toews, Chicago King Clancy Memorial Trophy (leadership, humanitarian contributions): Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Awards won previously: Art Ross Trophy (most points): Jamie Benn, Dallas Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (most goals): Alex Ovechkin, Washington Jennings Trophy (goalies whose team allowed fewest goals): Carey Price, Montreal; Corey Crawford, Chicago. How Red Wings fared in voting: Pavel Datsyuk was fifth in Selke voting, receiving three first-place votes from writers. 13

14 Niklas Kronwall was 14th in Norris balloting, receiving one first-place vote but no other votes. Former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock was seventh in Jack Adams voting, receiving three first-place votes from broadcasters. Ken Holland was 12th in GM of the year voting. Michigan Live LOADED:

15 Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg wins King Clancy Trophy for leadership, humanitarian contribution Ansar Khan on June 24, 2015 at 8:05 PM, updated June 24, 2015 at 10:16 PM Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg is this year's recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded to "to the player who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice and who has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community." Zetterberg was announced as the recipient Wednesday during the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. Zetterberg bounced back from an injury-shortened season (back surgery) to lead the Red Wings in assists (49) and points (66). Honored in 2013 with the NHL Foundation Player Award for outstanding charitable and community work, Zetterberg and his wife, Emma, give back to the Metro Detroit community through numerous initiatives as well as international causes in Ethiopia, Guatemala and Nepal. Zetterberg hosts children's charities, including Metro Detroit area children's hospitals and mentoring nonprofits, at each Red Wings home game during the regular season in the Zetterberg Foundation Suite. Zetterberg also funds a high school hockey scholarship each year and underwrites the Hockey Weekly High School All-Star Banquet. As the team spokesman for the Red Wings' annual Smoke Detector Collection since 2006, Zetterberg personally matches all donations. In that time, the program has distributed 20,684 units to benefit low-income and physically-disabled residents who could otherwise not afford or be able to install a smoke detector in their home. He joins Brendan Shanahan (2003) as the only Red Wings to win the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which was introduced in Michigan Live LOADED:

16 Red Wings to hold annual development camp July 3-7 in Traverse City Brendan Savage on June 24, 2015 at 6:15 PM, updated June 24, 2015 at 6:20 PM The Detroit Red Wings annual development camp will be held July 3-7 at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City. The players will be split into two teams and will work out twice July 3 once on the ice and once off of it before holding a scrimmage July 4, when each team will also work out on and off the ice as well. Each team will work out twice July 5-6 before the camp concludes with another scrimmage at 11 a.m. July 7. There will also be a Cherry Festival autograph session at 6 p.m. July 5. Workouts are open to the public and admission is $5 per day. The rosters for the camp won't be announced until after the NHL draft, which is Friday and Saturday. Participants in recent years have included current Red Wings Brendan Smith, Petr Mrazek and Luke Glendening as well as top prospects Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou and Teemu Pulkkinen. Michigan Live LOADED:

17 NHL Board approves three-on-three overtime, will start accepting bids for expansion teams Ansar Khan on June 24, 2015 at 5:30 PM, updated June 24, 2015 at 5:43 PM The NHL's Board of Governors on Wednesday approved three-on-three overtime for regular season games as well as a coach's challenge for video reviews starting in The league also announced it is accepting bids for expansion teams. Las Vegas, Seattle and Quebec City are expected to apply. Applications may be filed between July 6 and Aug. 10. The expansion fee is $500 million. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters in Las Vegas that this doesn't guarantee there will be expansion. "Over the past several years we have received numerous expressions of interest from potential markets and ownership groups that have indicated an interest in joining the National Hockey League. The Board decided today to examine those expressions more formally and also to welcome any other groups or markets that may be considering pursuit of an NHL team," Bettman said in a statement. "The fact that we are beginning this process does not necessarily mean that any expansion teams will be granted as a result of this process." Regular season games that are tied after regulation will immediately go to a five-minute three-on-three OT, which replaces the five-minute four-on-four OT that was implemented in Games that are tied after overtime will be decided in a shootout. The open ice will lead to more scoring chances and more games decided before the shootout, which was the goal of general managers like the Detroit Red Wings' Ken Holland, who has been pushing for the rule for several years. Michigan Live LOADED:

18 Jeff Blashill and Red Wings to host Mike Babcock's Toronto Maple Leafs Oct. 9 in home opener Brendan Savage on June 24, 2015 at 12:19 PM, updated June 24, 2015 at 2:32 PM Jeff Blashill will make his home debut as the Detroit Red Wings head coach Oct. 9 and his old boss will be behind the visitor's bench. The Red Wings will play their home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs and new coach Mike Babcock, who spent the last 10 seasons coaching in Detroit. One of Babcock's assistant coaches in was Blashill, who spent the past three seasons coaching the Red Wings top farm club in Grand Rapids before being promoted when Babcock moved on. The game vs. Toronto will also be the Red Wings' season opener as well. They'll visit the Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 10. The Leafs' first game under Babcock will be Oct. 7 against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. The Red Wings will also play two preseason games against Babcock & Co. They'll host the Maple Leafs Oct. 2 at Joe Louis Arena before closing out the exhibition slate Oct. 3 in Toronto. The Red Wings' complete regular-season schedule will be released at 10 a.m. Thursday. Here is a list of each team's home opener. Michigan Live LOADED:

19 Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk up for fifth Lady Byng Trophy tonight in NHL awards ceremony Brendan Savage on June 24, 2015 at 6:06 AM, updated June 24, 2015 at 6:09 AM The NHL awards will be announced tonight in Las Vegas and Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk has a chance to join some elite company. Datsyuk is one of three finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, which is presented to the player who best exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct while maintaining a high level of play. The other two finalists are Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings and Jiri Hudler of the Calgary Flames. If Datsyuk wins, it would mark the fifth time he's won the Lady Byng, tying him for second place with Wayne Gretzky on the award's all-time list. Only Frank Boucher has won it more often, capturing the Lady Byng seven times while playing for the New York Rangers in the 1920s and '30s. Gretzky's first Lady Byng came as a member of the Edmonton Oilers in and his last was in , when he played for the Rangers. Datsyuk won the Lady Byng four straight times beginning in He's tied for third on the all-time list with Red Kelly, who won the award three times while playing for the Red Wings in the 1950s before capturing it again in , when he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to Bovada.lv, Kopitar is a 5-11 favorite to win the Lady Byng with Datsyuk second at 12-5 and Hudler bringing up the rear at 4-1. Montreal's Carey Price is expected to be the big winner of the night, according to Bovada, which lists him as the favorite to win all three awards where he's among the finalists. Price is 1-20 to win the Hart Trophy as MVP, to win the Vezina Trophy as the best goaltender and 2-7 to win the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player as selected by the NHL Players Association. The awards show begins at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised live on NBC Sports Network from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Michigan Live LOADED:

20 Pat Caputo - Don't be surprised if the Detroit Red Wings get it right again in NHL Draft By Pat Caputo, Posted: 06/24/15, 7:12 PM EDT Updated: 23 secs ago It s understandable the NHL Draft, being held Friday and Saturday near Miami, largely goes unnoticed in this state, except for the very most ardent hockey purists. The Red Wings have been good for so long, they simply haven t had picks near the very top of the draft. But it doesn t mean it is any less important. It s every bit the lifeblood of the NHL it is for other major North American professional sports. It s also been the backbone for the Red Wings consistent success. Last season, when the Red Wings tabbed Dylan Larkin from Waterford Township 15th overall in the first round, it was their earliest selection in the draft since In the meantime, the NHL Draft has proven to be the great elixir for many franchises, including those in the Stanley Cup finals this spring. Chicago has has won three Stanley Cup championships the last six years largely because the Blackhawks were able to select Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in back-to-back drafts in 2006 and 2007 with third and first overall picks. Tampa Bay s turnaround was boosted by a first overall choice, Steven Stamkos (2008), and a second overall selection, Victor Hedman (2009). The last time the Red Wings were in the Stanley Cup finals, they faced Pittsburgh backto-back years (2008 and 2009). The Penguins had two first overall selections (Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury) and a pair of second overall selections (Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin). A huge center piece for the Los Angeles Kings during their two recent runs to Stanley Cup titles was defenseman Drew Doughty, a second overall NHL Draft selection. The Red Wings modus operandi has been to thrive despite it all. In the past they ve taken 210th and 171st overall picks, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, who turned into genuine stars - and kept their momentum rolling even as Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom aged and eventually retired. The Red Wings haven t had issues developing younger players. It s actually been a great strength, despite the less-thanfavorable draft positions and the advent of a hard salary cap. The Red Wings have had issues instead with decisions on veteran players. The Red Wings have let Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula leave as free agents, while signing Johan Franzen and Stephen Weiss to long-term contracts. Still, they have played tight, sevengame playoff series since 2013 with both the Blackhawks and the Lightning before losing. Tomas Tatar was a second-round draft pick, Gustav Nyquist a fourth-rounder and Petr Mrazak a fifth-rounder. The Grand Rapids Griffins aren t necessarily a farm team as much as a player development machine. 20

21 Pretty much every sports fan remembers when the Pistons took Andre Drummond in the NBA Draft, and they can recite the Lions draft picks down through the years with ease. From Day 1, Tiger fans have known all about Nick Castellanos, although the Major League Baseball draft tends to fall under the radar in a similar fashion. The last two first-round Red Wings picks have been different. Larkin is not only a local product, but he starred at the University of Michigan as a freshman, and more than held his own with Grand Rapids in the playoffs after signing a pro contract. The Red Wings 2013 first-rounder, Anthony Mantha, taken 20th overall, generated a lot of hype by scoring 81 goals in 81 games his final junior season, including playoffs. He took his lumps this season at Grand Rapids, but wasn t bad for a 20-year-old in such a competitive league (15 goals, 33 points, plus 5), especially considering a preseason knee injury set him back. This year could be the NHL s best draft class in eons. Connor McDavid, who is going to be taken first overall by Edmonton, is likely hockey s next superstar. But as good as McDavid is, it s not a given he will be better than American Jack Eichel, the Boston University standout,who will be selected second overall by Buffalo. Larkin s teammate at Michigan, Grosse Pointe s Zach Werenski, a defenseman, is a lock to be taken in the top dozen picks. He could have easily been the Big Ten Freshman of the Year were it not for Larkin. He s Red Berenson s youngest recruit ever at Michigan. The Red Wings are selecting 19th overall. Here s a flier on projecting their top pick: Paul Bittner, a 6-4, 200 pound winger, who played with and against top-caliber players in the Western Hockey League for Portland. But regardless, it s probable the Red Wings will get it right in the NHL Draft. Traditionally, it s what they do better than anything else. Macomb Daily LOADED:

22 Red Wings to play Mike Babcock, Maple Leafs in home opener By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily Posted: 06/24/15, 6:17 PM EDT Updated: 17 secs ago DETROIT >> When players leave the Detroit Red Wings for a different NHL team they normally get booed every time they hit the ice when they return to play at Joe Louis Arena. We ll get to see right away how a long-time coach will get treated behind the bench of a new team. Mike Babcock and his Toronto Maple Leafs will be the Wings home-opener opponents this season, Oct. 9. Babcock coached the Wings for the past 10 seasons before leaving prior to his contract expiring to take over in Toronto. It ll also be Jeff Blashill s regular-season debut leading the Wings. Detroit will then play the next night in Carolina. The Leafs open the season on Oct. 7 on home ice against the Montreal Canadiens. The rest of the Wings regular-season schedule will be released at 10 a.m. Thursday. Babcock, 52, became the highest paid NHL coach $50 million over eight years taking over in Toronto. Detroit s final offer to Babcock, who made $2 million last season, was $4 million for each of the next five seasons. The offer the Wings general manager Ken Holland made prior to that was a four-year deal worth $3.25 million a season. However, it won t be Babcock s first visit back the Joe Louis Arena. The Leafs play one preseason games in Detroit on Oct. 2. The Wings visit Toronto in the preseason on Oct. 3. The Leafs, who have won 13 Stanley Cups, that last of which came in 1967, last made the playoffs in 2013, losing in the first round to the Boston Bruins in a heartbreaking Game 7. The last trip to the postseason prior to that was Babcock, who left as the Wings all-time winningest coach, took over a winning organization and helped maintain its success. He guided Detroit to winning the Stanley Cup in 2008 and then reached Game 7 of the Cup finals the following year. He s also the only coach to guide a team to the playoffs every year in the salary-cap era. The Wings have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in three of the last four seasons and haven t made it out of the second round of the playoffs since

23 The NHL Board of Governors approved a new overtime format for next season, Wednesday. Teams will skate three aside for five minutes before heading to a shootout if a winner isn t determined in that time. It s a move Wings general manager has been wanting for quite some time. Over the last number of years more and more people have been interested in trying to get more games decided before the shootout, Holland said. We understand the shootout is exciting for the fans. The hope is more games will know be decided in this new format. With the open ice the expectation is there will be a lot of scoring chances at both ends, Holland said. The Wings have struggled mightily in shootouts the past three seasons, going They are since the shootout was implemented in The GMs agreed to this rather than what the American Hockey League does to decide games after regulation: four minutes of four-on-four play followed by three minutes of three-on-three. Nearly 75 percent of AHL games that were tied in regulation ended in OT, up from 35 percent in Macomb Daily LOADED: