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Manny Legace of the Red Wings makes a save on a point-blank shot by Lightning wing Adam Henrich during the second period.Lightning 5, Red Wings 3
Datsyuk now likely to return to Wings
They, in turn, get back on the ice but lose to Lightning
Mike Babcock stands behind the Red Wings' bench for the first time as their coach.Online extras
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Datsyuk
DETROIT -- The Red Wings returned to Joe Louis Arena on Monday night, and Pavel Datsyuk apparently isn't too far away from rejoining his teammates.
For the first time since May 1, 2004, there was a pro hockey game in Detroit. The Wings lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-3, in the first exhibition game of the season for both teams.
Searching for offense, the Wings believe they'll get some by signing Datsyuk, a restricted free agent.
Barring unforeseen developments, and there have been many during this bizarre contract negotiation, general manager Ken Holland said he expects Datsyuk to be in Detroit by the end of the week after talking Monday with Datsyuk's agent, Gary Greenstin.
"Gary told me that Pavel has decided he wants to come back to Detroit," Holland said. "At this stage in the game, it looks as if Pavel is returning to Detroit unless something gets derailed here in the next 24 to 48 hours. Certainly it's an exciting day for the Red Wings."
Datsyuk's contract would be for two years and $7.6 million.
What makes the Wings hesitant is an arbitration hearing in Russia today between Avangard Omsk, which signed Datsyuk to a one-year contract this month, and Moscow Dynamo, which matched the offer.
The hearing supposedly will decide which of the teams holds Datsyuk's rights in the Russian Superleague.
Datsyuk said in several Russian news reports last week that he is committed to play in Omsk this season but would like to return to the Wings eventually.
Russia is not part of an International Ice Hockey Federation agreement, so Datsyuk is easily capable of returning to North America without incurring a penalty from the Russian league.
"Over the last four or five days, I felt we were more and more of a legitimate option for Pavel," Holland said.
Calls to Greenstin's office were not returned. Greenstin has been in Moscow since Datsyuk reportedly signed his Russian contract on Labor Day. The two-year contract would take Datsyuk, 27, up to his first eligible year of unrestricted free agency.
A crowd of approximately 11,000 welcomed the Wings with a short, loud roar when they took the ice Monday night. The Wings, and the rest of the NHL, were idle during what should have been the 2004-05 season because of the lockout. Owners and players finally reached agreement on a collective bargaining agreement in July.
"It felt good to be back out there. It seems there will be a lot of specialty teams this year," said Kris Draper, who got two goals for the Wings.
"That's what everyone is talking about right now, the amount of penalties that were called."
Nicklas Lidstrom got the other Wings goal.
Fredrik Modin got two goals (one on a power play) for the Lightning. Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis (power play) and Evgeny Artyukhin also scored.
Manny Legace and Jimmy Howard split the goaltending for the Wings.
Howard took over to start the third period of a 2-2 game and promptly gave up goals on the first two shots he saw -- to St. Louis and Artyukhin in the first 2:02.
"As a group, I didn't think we were quick enough. We have to continue to skate," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I'd like us to be more competitive on the puck."
Fans also got a taste of the shoot-out, which will decide any tie games this season. The NHL has implemented shoot-outs for every game during the exhibition season, regardless of score. The fans who remaining Monday showed enthusiasm for the shoot-out, if not for the game.
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The Detroit News.
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