I got it wrong. Not completely wrong, but wrong nonetheless. Wednesday, I posted that the announcement of a new contract between coach Mike Babcock and the Detroit Red Wings was imminent. That, I have since learned, is not correct.
In our business, we hold players and coaches accountable for their mistakes. This was my mistake and I hold myself accountable.
Working around the Red Wings organization for 25 years, I don’t believe that they tell me everything they know, but I do know this – there is no one within the organization who would deliberately mislead a reporter.
When Babcock says a deal is not imminent, I take his word for it.
I will stand behind the rest of the column, though. I firmly believe Babcock will be the coach of this team next year and for many years to come. It will happen because he wants it to happen and the Wings want it to happen.
They will find common ground.
Several sources told me that this would be the case, sources that I have known for years and who have never led me astray when providing information. The last I spoke with, who knows people who would be privy to such information, insisted on Wednesday as I was working on the column that a deal between the two sides not only would happen, but would happen soon.
I should have vetted that source more thoroughly before going with the information. That was my mistake.
Ultimately as a journalist, my responsibility is to the readers and my ally is the truth. It bothers me that I missed the mark on this occasion.
You deserve better than that.
X Factor Excited to be back in the NHL, defenceman Xavier Ouellet, recalled to replace the injured Danny DeKeyser in weekend games Friday at Joe Louis Arena against Florida and Saturday in Toronto, views his latest NHL opportunity as another chance to garner intelligence that will one day make him a full-timer in the league.
“I felt good last time I was here, went down (to AHL Grand Rapids) and had a couple good games,… Ouellet said. “I’m back here tonight. I’ve got to be consistent and play the same game I did when I was here last time.…
To Ouellet, the biggest adjustment at the NHL level is that everyone knows what they are doing on the ice.
“The game is more structured,… Ouellet said. “In one-on-one battles, the guys are strong, they all have little tricks.
“I think for me it’s just play the same game. Play strong, and make sure I do everything right.…
Babcock’s level of confidence in Ouellet’s work was evident.
“We think he’s a real good player,… Babcock said. “We’re going to put him right in the lineup and let him play just because he’s played well for us.
“I haven’t even talked to X. He’s here and he’s playing and he’ll play well for us tonight. We need him.…
Ouellet is the only change in the Detroit lineup from Wednesday’s loss to Toronto. Jimmy Howard gets the start in goal.
Friends Now Foes The all-time games played leader in Panthers franchise history with 654, Detroit’s Stephen Weiss will play his fourth game as a Red Wing against his old club on Friday.
For the first time in the nine games since he returned to the lineup from a groin injury, Weiss has gone consecutive games without a point, but his overall play remains solid.
“I never lost confidence, it was just a matter of being able to get some reps in the lineup and being healthy,… Weiss said of returning to action. “Right now that’s the case. I’m able to be playing in these games and I have no issues with health right now.
“It’s nice to get some bounces. Anytime you can get some bounces and see the puck go in for you and your linemates it takes some weight off your shoulders.…
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