Friday, October 21, 2005

Wings: Notebook

Babcock praises Mighty Ducks

Coach faces old team tonight, then points to a Nov. 25 rematch at Arrowhead Pond.

By Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

Seeing clearly Should the NHL require that all players wear visors? Yes No Get results and comments Mighty Ducks at Red Wings Faceoff: 7:30 tonight, Joe Louis Arena TV / radio: FSN Detroit / WXYT 1270 Records: Ducks 2-3-1, five points; Wings 6-1-0, 12 points Notable: The Ducks are coming off a 3-2 loss in St. Louis. Rookie right wing Joffrey Lupul has four goals in five games. Online extras Red Wings schedule Red Wings roster Red Wings depth chart Player stats Team stats NHL free agents Wings Talk forum Wings wallpaper Sports Challenge: Pick the NHL winners weekly, win prizes Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

DETROIT -- This will be special, but it won't be as memorable for coach Mike Babcock as when the Red Wings visit Anaheim.

Tonight's game at Joe Louis Arena will be Babcock's and assistant Paul MacLean's first against the Mighty Ducks, whom they helped take to the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals.

"Those guys are phenomenal people," Babcock said. "They helped me get my start in the NHL."

But it will hit Babcock a little more when the Wings visit Anaheim's Arrowhead Pond on Nov. 25.

Babcock coached the Mighty Ducks for two years, taking the team to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals the first year before it lost to the New Jersey Devils.

The second year, the Ducks didn't make the playoffs.

Babcock was offered a one-year contract for this season by Brian Burke, the Ducks' new general manager. After Babcock and the Ducks couldn't agree on a deal, Babcock signed with the Red Wings.

But he has nothing but positive things to say about the Anaheim organization. A picture of the 2003 Stanley Cup team hangs in his office at home.

"Those are fond memories," Babcock said, "and I'm proud and thankful of the opportunity given to me by Disney (then owner of the Ducks)."

Ailing visitors

Wings fans might not see Sergei Fedorov tonight.

Fedorov has missed three consecutive games because of a strained groin, and the Ducks weren't sure if he would be able to play against the Wings.

Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere suffered a pulled groin Wednesday in St. Louis, and his status for tonight also is uncertain.

Draper skates

Kris Draper, who suffered a serious injury to his right eye Monday against San Jose, skated wearing a visor during practice Thursday.

Draper will see a doctor today to check on the progress of an orbital bone. If everything checks out fine, and the swelling in and around the eye subsides, he could play against the Mighty Ducks.

Ice chips

Steve Yzerman (groin) skated the entire practice Thursday, but Babcock said Yzerman likely won't play this weekend.

"He'll be over-ready when he's back (in the lineup)," Babcock said.

... Brendan Shanahan (back) returned to the ice after missing practice Wednesday.

... Chris Osgood won, 6-3, for Grand Rapids in an American Hockey League game in San Antonio on Wednesday.

You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.