Red Wings: Notebook

Youngsters supply boost

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Detroit --It was never any secret. General manager Ken Holland and senior vice president Jim Devellano said from Day One that if the Red Wings were going to maintain their elite status in the West, they were going to need some growth from within.

They were going to need players like Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Ville Leino, Jonathan Ericsson and Jimmy Howard to step up and take on bigger roles. And that was before the Wings lost the services of Johan Franzen, Jason Williams and Valtteri Filppula.

Well, 17 games into the season, and even the most exacting critic would have to say the kids are doing all right. The Wings have won five of six and have moved into seventh in the West and second in the Central Division, one point behind the Blackhawks.

And each of those aforementioned kids is making consistent contributions.

Leino has moved up to the second line, playing with Henrik Zetterberg and Danny Cleary.

Helm has taken charge of the third line, centering Kris Draper and Patrick Eaves, a unit Mike Babcock called "a real good forechecking and honest group that you can play against anybody."

Abdelkader is centering the fourth line and his minutes have been increasing along with his production. He had two goals in Columbus on Wednesday.

Ericsson has had some shaky moments, but has been mostly dependable on the third defense pairing. He also has eight points.

And there's Howard, who posted back-to-back wins against Columbus and Vancouver.

"Jimmy did exactly what we needed him to do," Babcock said. "He's been much more relaxed than he was earlier. It's like with all young players ... when you are overthinking you are pressing and it's real hard to be soft in goal.

"But (against Vancouver) he was above the blue paint. He was square. He really battled and read the play. It's just a really good sign for us."

Abdelkader, who has more hits (37) than anyone other than defenseman Brad Stuart, has been absorbing all he can from Brad May. May was even out after one practice giving Abdelkader a fighting lesson, showing how to use leverage and reach.

"I like Abby," May said. "We've talked quite a bit, actually. I don't know, you look at him, he's a lot younger than I am. But I remember when I was his age and the opportunity that I was provided. It took guys that I played with -- Pat LaFontaine and Colin Patterson, Dale Hawerchuk, Dave Andreychuk -- that helped me along and gave me advice.

"There's just plenty of experience and wisdom to be passed around. He's a smart kid. He's all ears and he's a heck of a player."

May, though, didn't want to come off as some locker room Yoda. He said the young players have plenty of options when it comes to soliciting advice.

"I think this whole program here in Detroit just sets guys up to succeed," May said. "When you look across the room and you've got Brian Rafalski and Nick Lidstrom, Draper and Kirk Maltby, Tomas Holmstrom -- these guys that have won all these Cups."

Crazy calls

The Wings are the least penalized team in the NHL, but apparently referees Gord Dwyer and Dave Jackson didn't get the memo Thursday. They called the Wings for seven penalties, five in the second period.

Two overlapped by 19 seconds, and both were bizarre calls.

Stuart was called for high sticking, even though replays clearly showed the Canucks player was whacked by Mikael Samuelsson 's stick. The second penalty was a phantom hook called on Niklas Kronwall .

Babcock didn't want to hear about the calls.

"When the other team had tilted the ice and they are and beating you to every puck, it's pretty hard to complain about the officiating," he said.

Detroit killed all but one penalty, and has allowed two power-play goals the last 21 chances.

Ice chips

The Wings will honor Lidstrom tonight for reaching the 1,000-point milestone.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489