red wings

Mike Babcock helped bring the Stanley Cup back to Detroit. In turn, Red Wings ownership is bringing Babcock back for three more years.

The team announced Wednesday that the Cup-winning coach has agreed to a three-year contract worth about $4.5 million.

"For me, this place has been fantastic," Babcock said during a morning news conference at Joe Louis Arena.

Dallas Drake waited 14 seasons to win the Stanley Cup, and now he was ready to enjoy more of the spoils. Two days after raising the hallowed trophy, the Red Wings forward rode in the back of a pickup truck before thousands of jubilant fans celebrating the team's latest title.

"It's a special feeling," Drake said Friday as fans chanted his name during the downtown parade.

Red Wings forward Johan Franzen practiced for over an hour Friday with his teammates, but hasn't been cleared by doctors to return to game action following concussion-like symptoms.

Franzen, the NHL leader this year in postseason goals with 12, has been out since Game 2 of the Western Conference finals and said he won't play Saturday night when Detroit takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals opener.

"I'm out of shape, but otherwise I felt good," Franzen said.

Really, it's hard to imagine that Chris Osgood is completely correct in his assessment. "Just a little altercation that's over with now," the Detroit goalie insisted Sunday, a day after the Red Wings' 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars was marred by an ugly ending.

But don't expect the fracas to be forgotten.