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Babcock set to show Wings still among NHL's elite
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock never is at a loss for words, but he somehow managed to sum up his thoughts on the upcoming season to just two.

"We're back."

That was his message to Red Wings fans and the rest of the NHL. The reason for Babcock's optimism are both the new and familiar faces in and around the Red Wings' dressing room these days.

The veteran coach recently took the time to sit down with NHL.com at the Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament to discuss the 2010-11 season.

NHL.COM: What players stood out in your eyes at this year's Prospects tournament?

"The Joakim Andersson kid is strong and looks to be a safe player down the road. Tomas Tatar obviously has some real skill -- he reminds me of Jiri Hudler a little bit. He anticipates and makes plays, hangs on to the puck well. (Brendan) Smith is a high-end skill guy. His game has to evolve without the puck a little bit, but I like how powerful he is and how he skates. He sees and moves the puck pretty well. (Landon) Ferraro has a chance as well ... looks like he has some skill level there. I was also impressed with the size of (Brian) Lashoff (6-foot-3, 207 pounds), and I like goalie (Thomas) McCollum. So there's six kids and, when you think about it, it's hard to have six kids that you're already really excited about within the organization. There might be others, too, but those are the ones that popped out at me."

NHL.COM: Do you feel it's inspiring to a young goalie like Thomas McCollum to see the success Jimmy Howard achieved in the minors?

BABCOCK: "I think it's real. Look, this is a man's league and it isn't easy at all. It's hard on everyone. A classic example is goalie (Steve) Mason in Columbus. In my opinion, Mason is a star. He was a star his first year and (coach Ken Hitchcock) did a great job with the team. But Mason struggles his second year and Hitch isn't the coach anymore. Mason will be back this year, but that's how hard it is to be good in the league. I know McCollum struggled a bit in the AHL, but that's good. You have to learn to fight through tough times; that's all a part of it. McCollum has a great work ethic and fought hard all summer (training with goalie coach Jim Bedard)."

NHL.COM: What did Jimmy Howard learn from last season?

BABCOCK: "Obviously he thinks he's good and he was good. Now he has to be good this year and if he can put 18 good seasons together in a row, then you're like (Chris Osgood) ... the real ones. The real ones do it year after year and the message, just like in life, is really clear. Your ups have to be longer than your downs. That doesn't mean there won't be any downs, but you can let those things weigh heavy on you or you can have momentary downs and move on with it."

NHL.COM: What does it mean having Jiri Hudler back in a Red Wings jersey?

BABCOCK: "It means 70 points. It means your second power-play unit is as good as your first power-play unit, maybe better. (Dan) Cleary, (Mike) Modano and Huds will be on the same line to start. He's a good hockey player and knows how to play this game. It's great to have him back. He made a decision in his career (to spend last season in the KHL), but there's lots of respect. Did I think it was the right decision? No, but it was right for him. The great thing about decisions is when you make them, you move on. He's back now and we're thrilled. He doesn't have to prove anything to me; I know he can play."

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Tuesday, 09.14.2010 / 2:39 PM / News
By Bill Roose  - DetroitRedWings.com Managing Editor
DETROIT – Ruslan Salei is ready to bring some positive energy to the Red Wings this season. The veteran defenseman, who signed a one-year contract with the club in August was at City Sports Arena to skate with his new teammates Tuesday morning.

“It’s a legendary team. I’m proud to be here. I’m proud to have a chance to play for this organization,” said Salei, a 13-year veteran, who has played with Anaheim, Florida and Colorado

“It wasn’t too hard to make the decision to come here,” he said.

A former first-round draft pick of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Salei has logged 842 NHL games, but a back injury limited him to 14 games with the Avalanche last season.

Salei, 35, is a two-time player of the year for Belarus, his home country. He has been the squad’s captain at three different international events, including the Vancouver Olympics.

While the Red Wings’ locker room provides some new scenery, he is quite familiar with the team’s style, having once played two seasons for coach Mike Babcock in Anaheim.

“We had great success together in Anaheim,” said Salei, who was with the Ducks when they lost in Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup finals to New Jersey. “I really respect him as a coach. We had good times and bad times when we worked together, but I think that’s how you build a relationship. I think we have an understanding of what he wants and what I can do for him.”

At 6-foot-2, Salei is an aggressive defenseman, who packs a pretty good shot from the point and should be a positive influence for Jonathan Ericsson, whom he’ll likely be partnered with on the blue line.

“I play a solid D and a pretty good PK,” he said. “I’ll play as physical as I can, and I think that would be my role on the team.”

He was asked Tuesday about playing together with Wings center Mike Modano, a player that he has a slight history going back to a 1999 game between the Ducks and Dallas Stars. Salei was suspended 10 games by the NHL for pushing Modano face-first into the end-boards. Modano suffered a concussion and a broken nose from the incident.

The two new teammates spoke with one another on the ice following Tuesday’s practice, but did not discuss the 1999 hit, Salei said.

“I think it’s more of a personal thing between me and him and not for media to discuss,” Salei said. “I don’t think it will be any distraction in any way for us. It won’t be a big deal.

“We really haven’t spoken to each other. It’s probably the highlight that we have with each other. We’re all competitive people and obviously when you play for the same team you want to be best teammates as you possibly can, and that’s what I will try to do, and I’m sure Mike is thinking the same way.”

Quote (LordNibbler @ Sep 17 2010 02:09pm)

New defensive pairings?

Lidstrom-Kronwall
Stuart-Rafalski
Ericsson-Salei

http://www.freep.com/article/20100917/SPORTS05/100917044/1053/Red-Wings-coach-plans-new-defensive-pairings

I like it.

Quote (LordNibbler @ Sep 20 2010 06:25pm)

http://video.redwings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=-6

Pretty good video of the ZDH line playing keep away.