Red Wings: Notebook

Long trip to Cup is worth it for Osgood

Goalie always wanted to return to Detroit after leaving and Cup makes journey a good one.

John Niyo and Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

PITTSBURGH -- He didn't want to leave, but he knew it was coming.

He always wanted to come back, and he figured he might.

All of that -- and plenty more -- made Chris Osgood's triumphant return to the spotlight all the more gratifying Wednesday night, as the Wings' veteran goaltender skated with the Stanley Cup once more.

"It's special, because coming back here -- I always wanted to play in Detroit," said Osgood, who won his third championship in his second stint in his first home in the NHL. "And I just kept fighting, never gave up."

Not when he was placed on waivers in 2001, when the Wings' front office seized an opportunity and traded for Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek. Not when he bounced from the Islanders to the Blues and seemingly into the twilight of his career.

And not this spring in Detroit, either, when even in the midst of one of his best seasons -- Osgood was an All-Star starter back in February -- he was relegated to the bench behind Hasek to start the playoffs.

"I worked on my game and did the things I needed to do to get to this moment," Osgood said Wednesday night after making 20 saves in the Wings' 3-2 Cup-clinching win in Game 6 at Pittsburgh. "I never doubted myself. I just needed the opportunity."

Good feeling

Brad Stuart had a dazed look as family and friends and teammates celebrated a Stanley Cup victory around him on the Mellon Arena ice.

"At the beginning of February, I would never would have imagined I would be standing here," said Stuart, who was acquired by the Red Wings from the Kings at the trade deadline. "I'm just thankful I was given this opportunity. I just tried to do the best I could to take advantage of it. And it worked out."

Stuart can be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but all indications are the Wings will be aggressive in re-signing him.

"I'll think about that (re-signing) in the next couple of weeks," Stuart said. "It seems to be a good fit. But there's time to think about all that."

Kal gets laryngitis

Red Wings play-by-play man Ken Kal was a late scratch for Game 6.

Kal came down with laryngitis in the early morning Wednesday and decided after the morning skate he wouldn't be able to broadcast the game with his partner Paul Woods .

Television play-by-play man Ken Daniels flew from Detroit and arrived in Pittsburgh at approximately 7 p.m.

"It's disappointing," Kal said. "You work all season to get to this point and now this happens."

"I'm excited, but it's obviously you hate to see this happen at Kenny's expense," Daniels said.

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