In Red Wings Land

Darren McCarty: Mike Babcock cost Detroit Red Wings the Stanley Cup in 2009 | Freep

“And our (dressing) room worked in different ways and when I came back you could tell that things were different,” Darren McCarty told the Free Press, “but the thing that didn’t change was that guys played for each other.

“That’s the key. In spite of him, right? In spite of him. And I learned that more getting into ’09 because we won in ’08 in spite of him and lost in ’09 because of him. That’s exactly the thing because he misused (Pavel) Datsyuk, (Henrik) Zetterberg and just because he’s stubborn and that was his way.”

I agree with McCarty.

Pavel Datsyuk’s $4.5M home in Bloomfield Twp. includes panic room, theater | Freep

Datsyuk looked a long time to find this location on Lower Long Lake, said his Realtor Kelly Milstein. The lake’s 190 acres are full of fish, she said, and the rule against power boats keeps it peaceful.  “He knocked down a million-dollar house for the lot.”

The castle actually has three turrets — that skinny one and two more wide ones. These add to the number of curved and round rooms.

Damn. Pavel had a nice home when he played for the Red Wings.

Around the League

Top prospects eligible for 2020 NHL Draft | NHL.com

1. (1) Alexis Lafrenière (6-foot-1, 196 pounds), F, Rimouski (QMJHL) -- An incredible playmaker with great vision, accurate shot and appetite for wins. He leads the QMJHL with 25 power-play points (one goal, 24 assists).

2. (2) Quinton Byfield (6-4, 215), F, Sudbury (OHL) -- The left-handed center is a powerful skater with breakaway speed and has an exceptional skill set. He ranks fourth in the Ontario Hockey League with 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists) in 28 games.

More NHL Draft prospects content, more fun.