In Red Wings Land

Dennis Cholowski ready to show Red Wings he’s ‘harder to push around’ – MLive

“He’s got to play to his strengths, be a great puck-mover, get us out of our zone fast, through the neutral zone fast, be a threat offensively on the rush and on the offensive blue line, a threat on the power play,” Blashill said. “Where he’s needed to improve is on the defensive game. It’s really just about winning the puck and ending plays with the puck, not letting pucks through. On a two-on-one, does the puck go through you or do you make a defensive play? In the D-zone, are you able to create a stall? At the net-front, are you winning those battles?

“Those are things he’s heard a lot about, and he’s went to work. Those are things he’s been consistently good at in GR and that’s what gives me excitement that hopefully it will carry forward here in Detroit.”

So how do you think he did last night?

Around the NHL

After bottoming out, former Gophers, NHL star Paul Martin sees the light again: ‘I’m pretty lucky’ – Twin Cities Pioneer press

Two stints at a California rehabilitation clinic helped him kick the booze and pills. Prayer, meditation and music have given Martin tools to combat his behavioral demons and redefine himself. He also gained the confidence to share his story over three hours of interviews with the Pioneer Press, hoping to answer questions so many people have about why he disappeared and help destigmatize the shame of depression.

I never liked Martin when he was playing but this made for a tough read. I’m glad he got the help he needed.