DARREN HELM

Executives around the NHL expect plenty of movement before free agency opens Wednesday.

The Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup showed the value of speed and skill in a league dramatically tilting in that direction.

The fast-flying Colorado Avalanche have zoomed out to a 2-0 series lead over Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Colorado Avalanche overwhelmed the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Detroit Red Wings have won more Stanley Cups (four) than any team in the past quarter century. The Lightning face the Colorado Avalanche in the most compelling Stanley Cup Final matchup in years. The Lightning have won 11 consecutive playoff series, third-most in NHL history. The Avalanche are in the Final for the first time since 2001, when they won their second Cup in a seven-game series against New Jersey. Return to gloryFormer Red Wings grinder and energy player Darren Helm is seeking his second Stanley Cup, 14 years after his first.

Each of the four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup playoffs has ties to the Detroit Red Wings, some more prominent than others. Longtime Red Wings general manager Ken Holland has reached the final four for the first time since 2009, in his third season with the Oilers. Here is a look at the series:Eastern Conference finalsN.Y. Rangers vs. Tampa BayRegular season: Rangers 52-24-6, 110 points; Lightning 51-23-8, 110 points. Season series: Rangers won 3-0. Season series: Colorado won 2-1-0.

A former Detroit Red Wing delivered the biggest goal in the playoffs for the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. The Avalanche, seeking their first Cup since 2001, face the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference finals in a series that begins on Tuesday. The Red Wings drafted Helm in the fifth round in 2005 (132nd overall). He played 744 games in parts of 14 seasons with the Red Wings before signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Avalanche last offseason. He delivered the overtime goal in Game 5 against the Chicago Blackhawks that sent the Red Wings to the 2009 Cup Final.

Darren Helm scored with 5.6 seconds left and Darcy Kuemper stopped 17 shots as the Colorado Avalanche finished off their second-round series with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 6.

Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and the Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff spot with a 6-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguin.

Gabriel Landeskog opened the scoring 1:12 in and capped it with an empty-netter for his 25th goal of the season, helping the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Darren Helm played on some high-powered Detroit Red Wings teams early in his NHL career. Tonight, he returns to Detroit while playing for another top-end club when the Colorado Avalanche visit Little Caesars Arena (7:30, Fox Sports Detroit). “Last time we played them it felt like they were shot out of a cannon every time they were coming up the ice,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. We want to see where we stack up against teams like this.”The Red Wings (23-22-6) are coming off a five-day break following a 3-2 shootout victory at the New York Rangers on Thursday. Helm, 35, signed a one-year, $1 million contract with Colorado in the offseason, after 14 seasons with the Red Wings.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Pius Suter each scored twice, including short-handed goals on the same penalty, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the San Jose Sharks 6-2.

After an embarrassing loss to an old rival, the Detroit Red Wings will look and try to end their losing streak when they host the struggling New York Islanders on Tuesday night. Less than 24 hours from a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Blues, the Red Wings went to Mile High to take on the Colorado Avalanche, and it was a wild one. Watch the Detroit Red Wings on DirecTV StreamThis marks the third time this season Detroit has lost three or more games this season. A team that has been on nearly a season-long skid has been the New York Islanders. 👏 pic.twitter.com/GT5edaGyfk — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 5, 2021Check out more stories about the Detroit Red Wings here on MLiveWhat: NHL HockeyWho: New York Islanders (6-11-5) vs Detroit Red Wings (13-12-3)When: Tuesday, December 14Time: 7:30 p.m.

The Colorado Avalanche became the first team in 26 years to score seven goals in three straight games with a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

The Colorado Avalanche became the first team in 26 years to score seven goals in three straight games with a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Filppula, the longtime Detroit Red Wings forward, signed a one-year contract with Geneve-Servette of the Swiss Hockey League on Tuesday. Filppula, 37, returned to the Red Wings in 2019, after five seasons with Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and the New York Islanders. “When we approached Valtteri, he was immediately interested in the project,” Geneve-Servette general manager Marc Gautschi said in a statement. Drafted 95th overall by Detroit in 2002, he played in 591 games with the Red Wings (112 goals, 287 points). Filppula and Darren Helm, who signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, were the last remaining Red Wings from the 2008 Stanley Cup championship team.

Darren Helm signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche this week, effectively ending his long tenure with the Detroit Red Wings.

Darren Helm’s speed and tenacity made him a key role player on several talented Detroit Red Wings teams, including the 2008 Stanley Cup championship squad. Helm, 34, was the longest-tenured Red Wing. Helm appeared in 47 games last season (three goals, five assists), forming an effective energy line with Adam Erne and Luke Glendening, another long-time Red Wing who signed a two-year deal with the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. The Red Wings took Helm in the fifth round in 2005 (132nd overall). He appeared in 82 playoff games (11 goals, 10 assists).

The Detroit Red Wings have signed center Pius Suter to a two-year contract.

The only players from the Detroit Red Wings’ most recent Stanley Cup championship team who played in the NHL this season face an uncertain future. Darren Helm and Valtteri Filppula have played a combined 1,335 games for the Red Wings but might have appeared in their final game for the organization. The Red Wings might swap out Helm for a younger player like Givani Smith. Smith no longer is waiver-exempt in 2021-22, so he will be on the Red Wings roster. And he really did play his best hockey at the end of the year.”More: What the Red Wings’ expansion draft protected list might look like

The Detroit Red Wings wrap up what has been one of the most bizarre seasons in NHL history tonight in Columbus, needing one point to avoid the Central Division cellar. The Red Wings are 6-4-3 in their past 13 games, due mostly to strong goaltending and solid defense. It figures be the final game in a Red Wings uniform for some players. Helm, 34, has the longest continuous service among Red Wings, having made his NHL debut on March 13, 2008. While the Red Wings and many other teams wrap up this weekend, the regular season continues through May 19 because of postponements caused by COVID protocol, particularly involving the Vancouver Canucks.

Viktor Arvidsson scored three times to lead the surging Nashville Predators in a 7-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

The Nashville Predators scored seven unanswered goals on the way to a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings (13-23-6), who also lost 7-1 at Nashville on March 25, had played well defensively in six of their past seven games. Nick Cousins capped the rally at 16:10, again, left wide open in the slot as the Red Wings were doing too much puck-watching following a turnover by Marc Staal behind the net. The Predators poured it on in the third period, scoring on several shots that exposed Bernier’s lack of sharpness. Arvidsson his second goal of the game at the 10-minute mark and then converted on the penalty shot at 11:06.

The NHL is in the most difficult position among the four major North American professional sports leagues on vaccinations because seven of its teams are based in Canada.

Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi scored in the shootout to lift the Nashville Predators over the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Detroit Red Wings players now can receive the COVID-19 vaccination after Michigan residents 16 and older became eligible on Monday. I hope as many people can get it as quickly as possible.”The Red Wings are grateful they have access to the vaccine; it is not available yet for their counterparts in Canada. “I have empathy for anyone around the world who doesn’t have access to it and it’s beyond the NHL and bigger than the NHL,” Blashill said. “We feel fortunate that we have access to it.”Some players might delay being vaccinated until after the season due to concerns about adverse effects from the second shot. Those that decided it was the right thing for them, which I think ultimately will be a majority that decided it was the right thing for them, and those that didn’t, I respect that.”

The Detroit Red Wings reached the playoffs in each of Darren Helm’s first nine seasons, and the organization’s longest-tenured player misses the intensity and competitiveness of postseason hockey. “It would be a lot of fun to play playoff hockey again,” Helm said Tuesday. But his cap hit and actual salary ($3 million) might make him difficult to move without the Red Wings retaining some salary. “I don’t watch a lot of hockey throughout the year but the last couple of years I found myself watching playoff hockey, kind of miss it,” Helm said. Certainly, it’s moving in the right direction.”More: Thomas Greiss will be key for Red Wings if Jonathan Bernier is traded

Thomas Greiss made 27 stops to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay for their first road win against the Lightning in the regular season in more than 10 years.

The Detroit Red Wings looked much different Sunday than the team they have resembled much of the season, and so did the Tampa Bay Lightning. Thomas Greiss made 27 saves and five different Red Wings scored goals in a 5-1 victory over the Lightning at Amalie Arena. The Red Wings (13-22-5) snapped a 17-game regular season losing streak in Tampa Bay dating back to their last victory in the building on Feb. 17, 2011. The Red Wings maintained their solid structure down the stretch, preventing Tampa Bay from trimming the deficit. The Red Wings picked up three of a possible eight points during a tough four-game trip against top clubs Florida and Tampa Bay.

The Detroit Red Wings have 17 selections in the next two drafts, but general manager Steve Yzerman wants more. Additional picks mean more chances to acquire future impact NHL players, which the Red Wings desperately need in the midst of a long and painful rebuild. The Red Wings have many players, including 11 on the NHL roster, slated to become UFAs this summer. Some would not draw interest, and the Red Wings would be hesitant to move others. There is little doubt the Red Wings will look to re-sign him, and the Grand Rapids native surely wants to stay.

Juuse Saros made 31 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Nashville Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-0 on Tuesday night. “I’ve been feeling good,” Saros said. With Nashville up 1-0 and on a power play, Saros denied Darren Helm on a breakaway. Nashville was 1-2 on the power play while Detroit came up empty in three power play opportunities. It was a lot of fun being back.”POWER PLAY CLICKINGAfter a slow start to the season, Nashville’s power play has hit its stride of late.

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) battle for the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)DETROIT – Dougie Hamilton and Nino Niederreiter scored, Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 on Sunday night for their eighth consecutive victory. Carolina moved into the Central Division lead at 20-6-1, a point ahead of idle Tampa Bay and Florida. “I think he’s feeling good about his game and when Anthony feels good about his game, good things happen,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I think puck management is going to be crucial Tuesday night.”ON THE MOVEThe Red Wings recalled forward Mathias Brome from the taxi squad.

The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 5-3. The five types of Red Wings at this moment:Ad1. Moritz Seider reacts after being selected sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. You’re looking at a list of some of the most exciting NHL prospects playing in Europe right now, and they’re ALL Red Wings prospects. The problem is the Red Wings still need a serviceable NHL goalie, not just Calvin Pickard .

The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 5-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)CHICAGO – Frans Nielsen had a goal and an assist and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Saturday night for their second straight victory. AdThe Red Wings made it 3-1 with their first power-play goal in 15 games with 1:33 left in the second. The Red Wings’ Svechnikov beat Subban from the doorstep for a 4-1 lead 2:33 into the third. UP NEXTThe Red Wings and Blackhawks meet again at United Center on Sunday night.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 19: Patric Hornqvist #70 of the Florida Panthers scores a first period goal past Thomas Greiss #29 of the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on February 19, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Patric Hornqvist scored in the first and third periods to help the Florida Panthers start and finish strong in a 7-2 victory over the the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. After winning an NHL-low 17 games last season, the Red Wings are among the league's worst teams with 15 losses in 19 games. “This was unacceptable.”When the Red Wings briefly had positive moments Friday night, they didn't last long. AdThe Panthers have won six straight on the road against the Red Wings and 11 of last 13 games overall against them.

Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm was back on the ice Saturday morning, after not being able to skate or exercise or be around the team for two weeks. Helm has been unavailable to play or practice since Jan. 2 due to the NHL’s COVID protocols. Fabbri must work through face-off strugglesRobby Fabbri won only 2-of-14 face-offs in Thursday’s season-opening 3-0 loss to Carolina. “We lost the line of scrimmage too many times in the face-off battle,” Blashill said. “Part of that will be how he continues to feel and hopefully he gets better and better.

The Detroit Red Wings have released a roster ahead of their 2020-21 season opener this week. This year there teams are allowed a taxi squad of up to six additional players to the normal 23-man roster. The Red Wings released a 22-man roster and six more players on the taxi squad. He’ll remain in the Red Wings organization after clearing waivers. I have placed the full Red Wings 2020-21 season schedule here.

The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday set their season-opening roster at 22 players, one under the limit, and placed six players on their taxi squad. The Red Wings start their 56-game schedule Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). Here is the Red Wings’ season-opening 22-man roster:Forwards (13): Tyler Bertuzzi, Mathias Brome, Adam Erne, Robby Fabbri, Valtteri Filppula, Sam Gagner, Luke Glendening, Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Vladislav Namestnikov, Frans Nielsen, Bobby Ryan, Filip Zadina. The Red Wings designated forward Darren Helm and defensemen Christian Djoos and Jared McIsaac as non-roster and released goaltender Pat Nagle from his professional tryout. More: How Red Wings stack up in new-look division

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sam Reinhart jammed in a loose puck for the go-ahead goal 57 seconds into the third period in the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said Perlini has been cleared to travel with the team after requiring stitches to close a deep gash across his cheek and nose. Buffalo also rebounded to beat the Red Wings five days following a 4-3 shootout loss. Red Wings C Frans Nielsen (upper body) was also activated from IR after missing five games. The Red Wings also placed D Jonathan Eriksson on waivers.

DETROIT – Evgenii Dadonov and Mark Pysyk scored late in the first period and the Florida Panthers went on to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Saturday night. Dylan Larkin scored the 100th goal of his career with the Red Wings, and Jimmy Howard stopped 34 shots. The Red Wings had an extra skater for a fifth time early in the third and failed to take advantage, getting only one shot on Bobrovsky. NOTES: Red Wings C Frans Nielsen left with a lower-body injury in the second period. Red Wings: Play at Colorado on Monday night.

After 12 games without a win, everything was finally breaking right for the Detroit Red Wings. Fabbri scored twice on those fortuitous caroms, and the Red Wings snapped a 12-game winless streak with a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. The goals were fluky, but the Red Wings fully deserved the lead after outshooting Winnipeg 14-5 in the first. Detroit D Jonathan Ericsson played only 9:09, and Blashill said hed likely miss the teams next game. Red Wings: At Montreal on Saturday night.

If you factor in the 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs before the trip out west, the Red Wings have been outscored 17-5 in their past four games. Meanwhile, Andreas Athanasiou, who scored 30 goals last season, is without a goal in the third week of October. Seriously, all I can think about is the "Summer of Yzerman" after 11 contracts come off of Detroit's books. Schedule (view full schedule here) Oct. 22, 2019 7:30 p.m. vs. Vancouver Oct. 23, 2019 7:30 p.m. @ Ottawa Oct. 25, 2019 7:30 p.m. vs. Buffalo Oct. 27, 2019 5 p.m. vs. St. Louis Oct. 29, 2019 7:30 p.m. vs. EdmontonMailbag I'm putting the newsletter naming on the backburner right now, but keep sending me your ideas -- dbartkowiak@wdiv.com. Homemade ice rink note:I'm still deciding whether I will have time to commit to building the backyard rink this year.

Anthony Mantha of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on October 10, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)MONTREAL - Claude Julien feels his Montreal Canadiens have simply not been sharp enough to start the season. The Canadiens lost 4-2 to the Detroit Red Wings in their home opener on Thursday night, Montreal's third defeat in a week. Darren Helm, Tyler Bertuzzi and Luke Glendenning also scored for the Red Wings, who have three wins in four games this season. With the score tied 2-2 in the second period, Mantha scored the eventual winner on the power play at 15:38.