Brad Stuart: 'Tough decision' on future as free agency looms
So it has been difficult for Stuart being away from his family for long stretches, flying to the West Coast and back during breaks in the schedule.
"It is going to be a tough decision," Stuart said. "It’s not going to be all based on hockey and what I want for my career. It’s going to be a little bit (about) family, which is important. Those are things I still have to kind of sort out, try to figure out what’s going to be best for everyone."
Stuart, 32, is in the final year of a four-year, $15 million contract.
Red Wings plan to explore options as NHL trade deadline approachesThe Red Wings are in the market for a goal-scoring winger and/or an abrasive third- or fourth-line forward.
Money is not an issue. The Red Wings are $5.7 million under the salary cap. That gives them plenty of space to acquire anybody, since teams are responsible only for the remaining portion of a player’s contract.
It boils down to what the Red Wings are prepared to relinquish. It is doubtful they would move a core player, and it also is unlikely they would give up a top prospect for a rental (impending free agent). Detroit likely will be dangling draft picks, middling prospects and/or fringe players.
Are the Wings after HemskyThe Red Wings, with $5.6 million in cap room, would probably like to add another offensive top-six or top-nine player at the deadline. It’s no secret Detroit GM Ken Holland has long been an Ales Hemsky fan. He stuck a dagger in their hearts in the first round of the 2006 playoffs in Game 6 in Edmonton.
Sergei Samsonov to tryout for the Wings? Sergei Samsonov , who played for the Detroit Vipers, has been skating with the Red Wings during the conditioning period.
An unsigned unrestricted free agent, Samsonov lives in Oakland Township and is considering several professional tryouts.
Nothing, though, is definite.
Red Wings GM will talk with Kris Draper soon about futureRed Wings general manager Ken Holland soon plans to talk with Kris Draper regarding the longtime forward's future with the team.
Draper wants to play another season, but the Wings are full well-stocked at the position.
"No doubt he wants to play ... and play in Detroit," Holland said. "We don't have any cap issues, but we have to sort out what we're doing with our 14 forwards."
Nicklas Lidstrom stays in shape, postpones decision Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom left on holiday Wednesday with close friend and teammate Tomas Holmstrom, which could create all sorts of problems if Holmstrom can't break his habit of setting screens.
Mike Bab***** tries to sell Nicklas Lidstrom on team having another shot at Cup If Nicklas Lidstrom returns next season, he will be playing for a competitive club that will remain a Stanley Cup contender after making a few offseason changes. That was the recruiting pitch Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Bab***** made to his indispensable defenseman Saturday at Joe Louis Arena, as players and staff gathered for the team photo and cleaned out their lockers.
Chris Osgood's future unknown Chris Osgood’s future is murky after the Detroit Red Wings placed the 38-year-old goaltender on long-term injured reserve Wednesday.
Osgood, who was activated last week, had hoped to play in a couple of games before the end of the regular season and be ready to back up Jimmy Howard in the playoffs.
But he continues to experience soreness in his groin after surgery on Jan. 11 for a sports hernia. And now his status for the postseason is in doubt.
