Datsyuk in tears?
Pavel Datsyuk responded with a little humor when asked about Red Wings coach Mike Babcock's plan to put him and Henrik Zetterberg on separate lines this season.
"My reaction?" Datsyuk said Thursday after an informal skate at Joe Louis Arena. "I start crying. I can't sleep two days.
"But now everything is fine."
Datsyuk and Zetterberg were a dominant one-two punch when they played together last season.
"I help Hank, Hank helped me," Datsyuk said.
Datsyuk is taking a wait-and-see approach with the proposed break-up with Zetterberg.
"Every year we start like that (on different lines)," Datsyuk said. "It's not new.
"It's a long season. Nobody knows. I'm happy we're still on the same team. I hope we finish on the same team."
Instead of playing on a wing with Zetterberg, the move allows Datsyuk to play center.
"I'm more comfortable at center, more dangerous," Datsyuk said.
BABY TALK
Kirk Maltby's twins (a boy and a girl) are now about seven weeks old.
"I'm looking forward to going to camp to get some sleep," Maltby said, laughing. "I can't say I've ever said that."
The Wings' veterans leave for Traverse City on Sept. 18. A four-day training camp there begins Sept. 20.
FANFEST INFO
A few current players are expected to attend this weekend's Fanfest at Joe Louis Arena, but it's mostly going to be former Wings.
Here are some of the highlights on the schedule:
Saturday (season-ticket holders only):
10 a.m.: Recap the Cup with Mike Babcock, Steve Yzerman and Jim Nill.
3 p.m.: Recap the Cup with Yzerman and Nill.
5:15 p.m.: Fan forum with Tomas Holmstrom.
Ted Lindsay and Dino Ciccarelli begin signing autographs at 10 a.m., with Joe Kocur and Bob Probert at 11:30 a.m., and Nick Libett and Johnny Wilson at 3 p.m.
Sunday (public invited):
10 a.m.: Recap the Cup with Yzerman and Nill.
2:30 p.m.: Fan forum with Kris Draper.
Dennis Hextall, Lee Norwood, Mike Krushelnyski and Budd Lynch begin signing autographs at 10 a.m., with Brent Fedyk, John Ogrodrick and Wilson at 2 p.m.
The $5 tickets for Sunday's event are available at the Joe Louis box office, TicketMaster locations, by calling 248-645-6666 or through the Wings' website, redwings.nhl.com. For more information, call the Wings at 313-396-7575.
