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DETROIT -- Mike Babcock insisted being a lame-duck coach next season for the Detroit Red Wings would not be a problem for him. Devon Still Bengals Jersey . Babcock has one year left on his contract, and told reporters on Tuesday that getting a new deal this off-season is not a priority. "When youre at the stage of my career that I am, Im real comfortable with whatever they want," he said. "I want them to be happy. If theyre not happy, then Im not happy. "I can go year to year." Babcock finished his ninth season as Detroits coach on Saturday at Boston, where the Bruins eliminated the Red Wings in Game 5 of their first-round series. He has won a franchise-record 415 games, a Stanley Cup and a pair of conference championships. He led Canada to a second straight Olympic gold medal earlier this year. "If you put down a list of the best coaches in the National Hockey League, hes on that short list," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. Holland said he has not begun talking to Babcock about negotiating a long-term deal. The Red Wings have Holland under contract for one more year with a team option for another year, and he is "assuming" to have talks with ownership about his future with the franchise this summer. Detroits decision-makers will also have some other topics to ponder, heading into the NHL draft in June and free agency in July. Daniel Alfredsson might be the only unrestricted free agent the team wants to re-sign. The 41-year-old forward chose to chase a Stanley Cup with a one-year deal after spending his entire career with the Ottawa Senators. Alfredsson, though, is not sure if he wants to return or retire. "Its going to be at least a few weeks," he said. "You need time to get away from it. Ill talk to Kenny and Babcock later this week. Both sides want to know what the other side is thinking." Unrestricted free agents David Legwand, Dan Cleary, Mikael Samuelsson, Jonas Gustavsson, Kyle Quincey and Todd Bertuzzi may have to continue their careers elsewhere. The 39-year-old Bertuzzi said he definitely does not want to retire if Detroit decides to let him hit the market. "Id like to keep playing," he said. "I still feel like I can contribute." The Red Wings are counting on their two stars, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, to contribute more than they did during injury-shortened seasons. Zetterberg expects to return 100-per cent healthy after having back surgery two months ago. Datsyuk said he will soon find out if he needs to have surgery on his left knee. "A healthy Pav and Z makes everyone else score more," Babcock said. "Z came back for two games (in the playoffs) and suddenly we have a power play. We didnt have a power play till that. To me those are the guys capable if healthy that can make everyone else around them better." Mike Nugent Jersey . With just seconds left in the third and final minute of stoppage time, substitute Haris Seferovic finished off a length-of-the-field move by slamming home a close-range shot. After wild Swiss celebrations, Ecuadors shell-shocked players barely had time to restart before the final whistle was blown. Robert Geathers Jersey . The executive board of the Major League Baseball Players Association voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Clark to replace Michael Weiner, who died Nov.ST. LOUIS -- To stay a step ahead of goaltenders, T.J. Oshie mixes up his shots in shootouts. It worked Saturday, with Oshie and Vladimir Tarasenko scoring in the tiebreaker to give the St. Louis Blues a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. "I try to switch it up," Oshie said. "I know they watch video just like we do so I try to be unpredictable out there. Ive scored a couple on backhands, three or four in the 5-hole and a couple using the forehand." Alexander Steen missed on the first attempt. Then came Oshie. The crowd chanted "USA! USA! as Oshie skated in on Al Montoya and beat him. Tarasenko then scored, giving the Blues the victory in their final game before the Olympic break. Tarasenko is 3 for 5 in shootouts. Whichever way he goes, Oshie is getting the job done. He is 7 for 10 in shootouts. "Its just a fun part of the game where youve been doing it at the end of practices with goalies since you were a kid," Oshie said. "Its something Ive had fun doing." Blues goalie Brian Elliott stopped Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd in the tiebreaker. They were a combined 9 for 14 before misfiring against Elliot. Coach Ken Hitchcock said there is a "calmness" on the bench when it comes to time for a shootout. "Thats what is intriguing for me," Hitchcock said. "First of all, we can go deep cause we have people who are good at it that are down the ladder. But weve also got those three guys who are pretty golden for us to be honest. We know were going to get a goal from one of the three for sure." Brenden Morrow, Derek Roy and Jaden Schwartz scored in regulation for the Blues, 15-0-1 against Central Division rivals. They are 22-5-3 at home and 39-12-6 overall. Mark Scheifele scored twice, and Dustin Byfuglien added a goal for Winnipeg. "We know we played a good game and for it to come down to a shootout is a tough way to end it," Scheifele said. "We know we can play with every team in this league and to lose in a shootout to a team like that is obviously good but we know we could have won that game." It was the fourth consecutive overtime game for St. Louis. St. Louis was 0 for 8 on the power play and has failed to score in its last 20 chaances. Wallace Gilberry Jersey. "Ive got three weeks to think about it," Hitchcock said, pointing to the Olympic break. "I have no thoughts. I need a break from it. They need a break from it." The Blues improved to 3-1 this season against the Jets, winning the last three with each game was decided by a single goal or in a shootout. Schwartz scored on a backhander from the slot to give St. Louis a 3-2 lead 34 seconds into the third period. Schwartz has three goals and three assists in a four-game points streak. Byfuglien tied it on a power play with 6:17 left. St. Louis scored first. Morrow took a drop pass from Tarasenko and snapped a wrist shot from the left circle at 7:39 of the first period. Winnipeg tied it on Scheifeles goal at 12:33. From behind the net, Devin Setoguchi found Scheifele in front of the crease and Scheifele slid it by Elliott. St. Louis regained the lead when Roy scored on off an assist from Morrow with 2:22 left in the period. It was Roys first goal in 25 games since Dec.12 against Toronto. Scheifele tied it at 2 midway through the second. "We played a hell of a game, down three times and battled back," Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. "Big power play goal, fantastic penalty kill. We played a real solid game. I liked the looks we were getting for the most part on power-play, getting faster. "I dont put any stock into a shootout deciding how we play. We played a great game. We worked hard enough and played well enough that we just as easily could have won that game." NOTES: Blues D Jordan Leopold left in the first period and did not return. ... St. Louis D Barret Jackman played in his 700th game. Only Bernie Federko (927), Brian Sutter (779) and Brett Hull (744) have played more games for the Blues than the former No. 1 draft choice. ... The 10 Blues player selected to play in the Winter Olympics were honoured in ceremony before the game. Nine Blues are headed to the games. F Vladimir Sobotka will miss playing because of a leg injury. ... The Jets are sending four players to the Olympics ... With the win, Hitchcock went past Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman on the Blues career victories list. Bowman was 110-83-45 with the Blues from 1967 to 1970. The Blues are 111-44-15 under Hitchcock. wholesale jerseys ' ' ' |
