In less than twenty-four hours we will probably know where Marian Hossa will play next season. Maybe even Ty Conklin, Mikael Samuelsson, and Jiri Hudler.

NHL free agency opens up Wednesday and I won't be around to pay attention to any of it. I think it's the first time since about 2000 for that to be the case.

DETROIT, Michigan -- Olympia Entertainment, parent company of the Detroit Red Wings, has declined its option to renew the lease on Joe Louis Arena. The lease expires on June 30, 2010, and would have to have been renewed one year in advance.

The move is tied into plans to expand adjacent Cobo Hall by annexing Cobo Arena.

MONTREAL, Quebec -- Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock was officially announced as the head coach for the 2010 Canadian Olympic men's ice hockey team Thursday.

Reports that Babcock would be given the job surfaced Tuesday but the choice seemed inevitable after Wings' vice president Steve Yzerman was named executive director of the Canadian team.

Long-time Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman headlines the Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2009, it was announced Tuesday.

Jim Gregory, co-chairman of the board for the Hockey Hall of Fame, made the announcement on a conference call.

Yzerman will be joined by two former teammates, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille, as well as former New York Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch.

The Detroit Red Wings officially announced on Monday that defenseman Chris Chelios will not return to the team next season.

"It was kind of understood last summer, after Cheli signed, that the 2008-09 season would be the last one for Cheli as a Red Wing," said Red Wings GM Ken Holland. "He wants to play another season and I believe he can still play."