Detroit Red Wings Hockey: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio, Schedule & Stats

The Red Wings sold only 17,610 tickets to last year's regular season opener against Anaheim, snapping their sellout streak at 396 games. That won't be a problem this year when they open against Toronto on Oct. 9, a game that will be preceded by the Stanley Cup banner-raising ceremony.

Steve Violetta, the Wings' senior vice president of business affairs, said he anticipates some tickets for the season opener being available at noon on Sept. 13 -- when the team begins selling single-game tickets for the regular season -- but not many.

AP PhotoRed Wings coach Mike Babcock says Henrik Zetterberg, left, and Pavel Datsyuk won't play on the same line this season.

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has aimed to split-up superstars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg before, only to reunite them at some point because they're so dominant together.

This season, Babcock is determined to keep the two on separate lines. And this time he might be able to stick to the plan, due to the addition of a third star forward, Marian Hossa.

"Not maybe, for sure. They're not playing together,'' Babcock said Wednesday, after watching a handful of players skate during an optional pre-training camp workout at Joe Louis Arena. "Now with Hossa, the kind of player he is, and (Johan) Franzen coming into his own, it would be crazy to play (Datsyuk and Zetterberg) together. They're both happy at center anyways.''

Here's the release from the Red Wings:

The Detroit Red Wings and FSN Detroit today announced the 2008-09 Red Wings local television schedule.

FSN continues its exclusive production and carriage of Red Wings games by airing 74 regular-season contests with 65 games slated for air on FSN and nine on FSN PLUS. Additionally, FSN will carry three pre-season games and all non-exclusive games in the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs if the Wings advance.

FSN continues to lead the NHL in technological advances by airing a substantial number of Red Wings games in high-definition on FSN HD (HD schedule to be announced at a later date).

AP File PhotoTy Conklin, left, was 18-8-5 with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

DETROIT -- Getting accustomed to a different city and a new team has become a familiar routine for Ty Conklin.

The veteran backup goaltender arrived in town last week and is practicing with a half-dozen of his new Detroit Red Wings teammates during optional workouts at Joe Louis Arena this week.

Training camp in Traverse City begins Sept. 20, and Detroit will be Conklin's fifth stop in the last four seasons, the fourth different club with whom he's started a season since 2005.

Marian Hossa, the Wings' newest star forward, will arrive in town Friday and start skating with some of his new teammates next week, as players are holding optional practices in preparation for the start of training camp on Sept. 20.

Hossa's close friend, Wings forward Tomas Kopecky, said he's picking him up at the airport on Friday.

"We talk every day,'' Kopecky said. "I think he's going to fit perfectly here. He can't wait.''

About a half-dozen players, including new backup goaltender Ty Conklin, are skating at Joe Louis Arena in preparation for training camp (first day on ice is Sept. 20).

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he is close to signing defenseman Kyle Quincey to a two-year contract and said he and defenseman Chris Chelios have agreed to a one-year deal for slightly less than the $850,000 Chelios made last season. It does not include bonuses.

"We've basically agreed,'' Holland said. "When he gets into town next week, we're going to sign it.''

Darren McCarty

BYRON CENTER -- After Darren McCarty's NHL comeback became a success last spring, he found there was less and less time to work on his golf game.

Not that he minds too much.

That's because the Detroit Red Wings made another run to a Stanley Cup championship in early June, and training for the upcoming season then started almost immediately.

AP PhotoThe Red Wings keep a little toughness, bringing back bruising wing Aaron Downey back for next season.

The Detroit Red Wings re-signed right wing Aaron Downey to a one-year, two-way contract on Wednesday morning.

Terms were not disclosed, but the NHL Players' Association Web site lists his 2008-09 compensation at $575,000.

Downey, who joined the team last season following a training camp tryout, appeared in 56 games during the regular season and finished with three assists and 116 penalty minutes.

AP PhotoTed Lindsay, 83, played for the Red Wings from 1944-57 and again in 1964-65.

Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay was named one of four recipients of the 2008 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey on Thursday.

The award honors the memory of Patrick, who spent 50 years as a player, coach and general manager, and was a pioneer in the sport's development.

The other recipients are Minnesota Wild founding owner Bob Naegele, Jr., Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke, and 21-year NHL defenseman Phil Housley.

AP PhotoScotty Bowman's position with the Blackhawks will be similar to his recent role with the Red Wings.

DETROIT -- When he retired from coaching in 2002, Scotty Bowman pictured finishing his professional career with the Detroit Red Wings. But he could not pass up the opportunity to work with his son in helping build an up and coming organization.

So, after 15 years with the Red Wings, Bowman has joined the Chicago Blackhawks as a senior advisor. The legendary coach, who has served as a consultant for Detroit the last six years, will have a similar role with Chicago.

The major difference is he'll be closer to his son, Stan, the Blackhawks' assistant general manager of hockey operations.