The Daily: Red Wings Resume Play in Nine Days, Practice Starts Today

The NHL begins resumption of its season today when teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, scheduling practices for 2 p.m.. Teams will treat the next eight days like a mini-training camp before competition resumes Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The Red Wings resume play, Thursday, Feb. 26, with an Atlantic Division road game against the Ottawa Senators. That will be followed by two more road games against the Carolina Hurricanes (Feb. 28) and Nashville Predators (March 2).

Detroit will return to action tied for second place in the Atlantic with 72 points. According to Hockeyreference.com, the Red Wings have an 80 percent chance of ending their nine-year playoff drought.

GM Steve Yzerman’s team will play five games before the March 6 trade deadline. Yzerman has been talking to rivals about acquiring a top-four defenseman and a top-six forward. There appears to be a high degree of urgency to give this team its best chance in the stretch run and beyond.

Red Wings in Case You Missed It

Detroit goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa continues to demonstrate he’s ready for the Show.

Sheldon Dries is thrilled to be a member of the Red Wings organization for two more seasons.

The Grand Rapids Griffins have won five of their last six games. Dan Watson’s team is surging again.

Red Wings Extra

Carter Bear picked up an assist and was plus-one in the Everett Silvertips’ 3-1 loss to the Calgary Hitmen. He also had six penalty minutes. He now has 57 points in 41 games. He’s also plus-32. . .  Red Wings 2024 second-rounder Max Plante of Minnesota Duluth has been quieter offensively of late (one point in his past four games), but is still tied for fourth in NCAA scoring with 41 points in 30 games.

Hockey Now Digest

Boston: David Pastrnak says he needs to be better to help Czechia get to the quarterfinals at the Olympics. Boston Bruins.

Florida: The Panthers Stanley Cup rivalry with the Edmonton Oilers got mixed into the USA-Germany game. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: Defenseman Simon Nemec has been a powerhouse for Slovakia in the Olympics. New Jersey Devils. 

San Jose: The Sharks have placed Jeff Skinner on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. San Jose Sharks.