Detroit – Bam! Alexey Marchenko lifted a long slapper off the glass above the Joe Louis Arena end boards and somehow it seemed to clear the cobwebs of five months without hockey.
The Red Wings opened their informal skates before training camp to the media on Wednesday as a new era of hockey begins under Coach Jeff Blashill, with Mike Babcock's decision to accept a new challenge, more money, and go coach the Maple Leafs.
"How you doing, guys?" Niklas Kronwall greeted folks.
Kronwall said he has talked briefly with Blashill, and is looking forward to the new circumstances, in which player will have to adjust to a new coach.