Detroit Red Wings Clips August 15, 2014 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Detroit Red Wings sign Ken Holland to contract extension into 2018 PAGE 4 Red Wings GM Ken Holland signs 4-year extension PAGE 5 Red Wings' Ken Holland proud of team's accomplishments but seeks more playoff success PAGE 7 Red Wings sign general manager Ken Holland to four-year extension, through 2017-18 season PAGE 8 Red Wings outlook: Injury-prone Darren Helm can still be a differencemaker when healthy PAGE 9 Wings GM Ken Holland gets four-year extension PAGE 11 Grand Rapids Griffins add three to roster, including former Ferris State forward Kyle Bonis PAGE 12 Wings re-sign Holland to four-year deal PAGE 14 Wings sign GM Ken Holland to new four-year contract
Detroit Red Wings sign Ken Holland to contract extension into 2018 10:59 AM, August 14, 2014 By Helene St. James The Red Wings announced today a deal that will keep Holland as general manager through 2017-18. Holland first joined the club in 1994, as an assistant general manager. "I've been here a long time and very proud, very happy to be a Red Wing," Holland told the Free Press. "I work for, I believe, the best owners in the NHL passionate, committed. It's nice to know that ownership has confidence in me to continue to lead going forward." There never was any doubt that an extension would come, it was just a matter of when. But now that this domino has fallen, Holland has set in motion reupping head coach Mike Babcock, who is entering the final year of his contract. "I talked briefly to Mike yesterday; we exchanged texts. He's out west," Holland said. "When he gets back to town, at training camp, we'll sit down and talk. It's best that he and I talk about situation when we're face to face and both engaged in the conversation. So sometime in September, we'll talk." More immediately, Holland is working on a contract for restricted free agent defenseman Danny DeKeyser. Holland said, "We'll find a solution. We like Dan a lot; he's been a real good, young player for us. The hard part is trying to find what's fair for player and for club. He's only played 76 games, but he's a real important part of our team. We'll get him done." Since taking over as Wings GM in July 1997, Holland, 58, has put together a team that has won more regular-season games (746) and postseason games (115) than any other NHL team. "I'm proud of our 23 years of making the playoffs, and I'm excited about challenges going forward," he said. "We've been a team, the last two years, that's been a bubble team. I believe, if you get in and you get hot, it's wide open. "Our goal going into 2014-15 is, hopefully, we can compete with the top teams in the East, with Boston and TampaBay, and Montreal, which went to the final four. We've got a tough division. We're trying to compete for a playoff spot, be a contender. At same time, we're also trying to develop young players to build a core much like we did in late 80s, early 90s that carried us for a decade, and then again in the late 90s. I'm optimistic and excited about our younger players, that they will continue to develop into Detroit Red Wings players." In a statement released by the team, owners Mike and Marian Ilitch cited Holland's success, saying that "Ken is regarded as one of the premier executives in the National Hockey League and has been instrumental in the success of the Red Wings over the last two decades. Marian and I are extremely pleased that he will continue to lead our hockey club over the next four years. We feel strongly that stability is key to the success 2
of any organization, and having this new agreement in place with Ken is important to the organization and its future. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 08.15.2014 3
Red Wings GM Ken Holland signs 4-year extension The Detroit News Ken Holland, the Red Wings executive vice president and general manager, has signed a four-year extension that will keep him with the team through the 2017-18 season, the team announced Thursday. Ken is regarded as one of the premier executives in the National Hockey League and has been instrumental in the success of the Red Wings over the last two decades, Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said in a statement. Marian and I are extremely pleased that he will continue to lead our hockey club over the next four years. We feel strongly that stability is key to the success of any organization and having this new agreement in place with Ken is important to the organization and its future. Holland, 58, has served as the Red Wings general manager since 1997. Under Holland, the Red Wings have won 746 regular-season games and 115 postseason games, both more than any other NHL team. He has been part of four Detroit Stanley Cup titles in 1997 as assistant GM and in 1998, 2002 and 2008 as GM. Detroit News LOADED: 08.15.2014 4
Red Wings' Ken Holland proud of team's accomplishments but seeks more playoff success Ansar Khan August 14, 2014 DETROIT -- To Ken Holland, the main objective for a general manager is "trying to build something that lasts for a while." When Holland was hired as the Detroit Red Wings GM in 1997, the club was the reigning Stanley Cup champion and had been a contender for several years, in part due to Holland's work as the assistant GM and prior to that the amateur scouting director. Since then, Holland has overseen one of the most successful runs in NHL history: three Stanley Cups, four Presidents' Trophies, a league-record 12 consecutive 100-point seasons and a spot in the playoffs every year (23 in a row altogether). The Red Wings have built a program with staying power. Holland called it "an incredible run." And he'll be around a while longer to try to maintain it, after signing a four-year extension with the club on Thursday that runs through the 2017-18 season. "I'm as motivated and energized today as I was when I got the job in 1997," Holland said. The Red Wings have managed to retool on the fly, maintaining at least a playoff-caliber club, while other organizations have experienced losing seasons while rebuilding. The Red Wings, however, haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2009 and have made quick exits in two of the past three seasons, winning only one game each year. Holland's task is to make this team a championship contender once again. "The league is tough, competitive," Holland said. "We have higher aspirations than being a bubble team, but we also respect that it's hard to make the playoffs. "We want to continue to be a playoff team, but we want to make noise in the playoffs. That's what motivates me." Holland, who hopes to sign coach Mike Babcock to an extension before the season, is optimistic they have the right pieces, despite returning virtually the same roster from 2013-14 after striking out in free agency and not being able to swing a trade. That's because many key players who missed a significant portion of the season with injuries including Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Stephen Weiss, Darren Helm and Jonathan Ericsson will be ready to go at the start of training camp next month. Holland also is high on several young players who stepped up last season (Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco, Danny DeKeyser) and is excited about a number of prospects with the Grand Rapids Griffins (including Xavier Ouellet, 5
Ryan Sproul, Alexey Marchenko, MattiasBackman, Petr Mrazek, TeemuPulkkinen and Anthony Mantha, who's preparing for his first pro season). "We've had a rough couple of years with injuries; the depth of the organization allowed us to stay in the race," Holland said. "We're trying to develop another core of players we hope can play their way into being Red Wings and support the players that have been here a while. That's what I'm excited about." Several core players are well into their 30s Datsyuk (36), Zetterberg (33), Kronwall (33) and Franzen (34). So there is urgency to win now. "We overhauled the team in the early 2000s and made a nice run," Holland said. "We're in the process of overhauling the team again." The Red Wings are one of only two clubs that have qualified for the playoffs every year since the salary cap was implemented in 2005-06 (San Jose is the other). "No doubt prior to '05 we had a money advantage, but we made good decisions," Holland said. "We've had no top-10 picks since 1991. We've had to draft, develop. "I'm proud of what the pro scouts, the amateur scouts and the coaching staffs have done. I'm proud of a lot of our accomplishments. But I also know the last three years we've won one playoff round. We want to go on a longer playoff run, want to compete for a Stanley Cup." Michigan Live LOADED: 08.15.2014 6
Red Wings sign general manager Ken Holland to four-year extension, through 2017-18 season By Ansar Khan August 14, 2014 DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have signed general manager Ken Holland to a four-year extension that runs through the 2017-18 season, the club announced today. "Ken is regarded as one of the premier executives in the National Hockey League and has been instrumental in the success of the Red Wings over the last two decades," Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said in a statement. "Marian and I are extremely pleased that he will continue to lead our hockey club over the next four years. We feel strongly that stability is key to the success of any organization and having this new agreement in place with Ken is important to the organization and its future." Holland, 58, had one year remaining on his contract, plus an option year. "I'm very proud, very happy," Holland told MLive.com. "I love being a Red Wing, love working for Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch in a city that loves hockey. I'm very excited they had confidence in me to sign me. "I've worked for the Red Wings since 1983 and lived here since 1994. It's home." Holland has served as Detroit's general manager for the past 17 seasons. Since he took over in July 1997, the Red Wings have won more regular-season games (746) and postseason games (115) than any other NHL team. They have won three Stanley Cups with Holland as GM and have qualified for the playoffs every season he has held that position (four Cups and 23 consecutive playoff appearances since 1991). He has been with the organization in various capacities for the past 31 seasons (a goaltender who played mostly in the AHL, amateur scout, amateur scouting director and assistant general manager before becoming GM). With Holland's future secure, the club can now focus on signing coach Mike Babcock to an extension. Babcock is heading into the final year of his contract. "Babs and I communicated (Wednesday); he's (home) in Western Canada," Holland said. "I said let's get to training camp in Traverse City (Sept. 17). He and I can sit down over the course of September and have some conversations and see where we go." Holland also said he is confident he'll sign Danny DeKeyser to a new deal before camp. He plans to talk again to the agent for the young defenseman today or Friday. Michigan Live LOADED: 08.15.2014 7
Red Wings outlook: Injury-prone Darren Helm can still be a difference-maker when healthy By Ansar Khan August 14, 2014 (Another in a series of player profiles prior to training camp Sept. 18-23.) Darren Helm Position: Center Age: 27 Height/Weight: 5-11/192 2013-14 stats: 42 games, 12 goals, eight assists, 20 points, plus-2 rating, 14 penalty minutes; (playoffs) five games, no goals, one assist, one point, minus-3 rating, no penalty minutes. Career stats: 291 games, 44 goals, 59 assists, 103 points, plus-5 rating, 68 penalty minutes; (playoffs) 70 games, 10 goals, seven assists, 17 points, minus-3 rating, 18 penalty minutes. Contract status: Two years remaining at a salary-cap hit of $2.125 million. 2013-14 in review: Equaled a career high with 12 goals, in 42 games.... Scored during his second shift in just his second game in nearly 19 months. It stood as the gamewinner vs. Edmonton on Nov. 2.... Scored six goals during a seven-game stretch from Nov. 16-29 before experiencing a 20-game stretch without a goal.... Scored first career power-play goal on Nov. 23 vs. Ottawa.... Notched first career hat trick on March 29 at Toronto.... Scored two of the team's three shorthanded goals.... Averaged a careerhigh 15:10 in ice time.... Registered a career-high shooting percentage (14.5 percent).... Was below 50 percent on faceoffs (49.1 percent) for first time in his career.... Missed 40 games with four separate injuries (back, 14 games, Oct. 2-Nov. 1; shoulder, 11 games, Dec. 6-Dec. 28; groin, seven games, Jan. 1-18; concussion, eight games, March 6-20). 2014-15 outlook: The player coach Mike Babcock has referred to as the best third-line center in the league can still be a difference-maker if he can stay healthy. He's played in just 49 of the team's last 164 games, including the playoffs, due to a variety of injuries. His speed, forechecking ability and physical play make him difficult to play against. He creates a lot of scoring opportunities but is not a good finisher. Still, he manages to score in double figures. Key question: How much better can the Red Wings be with a healthy Helm in the lineup? Michigan Live LOADED: 08.15.2014 8
Wings GM Ken Holland gets four-year extension By Chuck Pleiness, TheMacomb Daily DETROIT>> Ken Holland has one goal when it comes to being an NHL general manager and that is to build something that lasts for a while. That s certainly something he s been able to do as the GM of the Detroit Red Wings for the last 17 seasons. On Thursday, the team rewarded Holland for his track record by giving him a four-year extension that will keep him as the Wings general manager through the 2017-18 season. There are a number of accomplishments I m very proud of, Holland said in a phone interview. We ve been in the playoffs 23 straight seasons and we re one of two teams that have made the playoffs every year since the salary cap began. Under Holland, who was named GM in 1997, Detroit has reached the postseason 17 consecutive seasons and have won the Stanley Cup three times. We ve faced adversity the last two years and found a way to get into the playoffs, said Holland, who was heading into the final year of his deal that had an option. The league is tougher these days and more competitive. It s very hard to make the playoffs. We have higher aspirations than being a bubble team, Holland added. I m as motivated and energized today as I was when I got the job. We overhauled the team in the early 2000s and made a nice run. We re in the process of overhauling the team again, but I believe we can compete for a playoff spot. I m excited, I m optimistic. That s what motivates me. Prior to the salary cap the Wings, who have not had a top 10 selection in the NHL draft since 1991, were able to spend money freely, but did so wisely. Last season Detroit had to rely on a number of youngsters in order to reach the playoffs. We re trying to develop players that we hope can play their way into being Red Wings one day and support the players that have been here a while, Holland sad. I m excited to see our young players make a good push for ice time. With the injuries we ve suffered over the last couple of years, it s been the depth of the organization that s allowed us to stay in the race, Holland continued. It gives me optimism that we ve got the depth in the organization we need. You ve got to draft and develop in order to get that push from players. We have a lot of young players that look like they have a chance of being good players. Also under Holland, the Wings have won more games in the regular season (746) and playoffs games (115) than any other franchise. They also reeled off an NHL record 11 consecutive 100-point seasons, which ended after the 2011-12 season. We want to continue to be a playoff team, but we want to make noise in the playoffs, Holland said. That s what motivates me. 9
Detroit has won just one playoff round over the last three seasons. We want to go on a longer playoff run and compete for a Stanley Cup, said Holland, who is 58 years old. Our goal is we want to compete for our division and at the same time push some of our younger players and hope they play their way into the organization. Holland, who s been with the organization for the past 31 seasons, began working as a scout before becoming the director of amateur of scouting and then assistant general manager. Now the focus will be getting coach Mike Babcock signed to an extension. Let s get to training camp and then we ll sit down and see where we go, Holland said. Babcock is heading into the final year of a contract that pays him roughly $2 million a season. Babcock, 51, just wrapped up his ninth season where he set a franchise record for wins and has led the Wings to a Stanley Cup and a two conference championships. I want him back behind the bench, Holland said. I respect the job he does for us. I respect his work ethic. I respect the job he did putting the young players into our system and sticking with them. I think if you write down a list of the best coaches in the National Hockey League he s on that short list. I think many would have him on the top of that list. Babcock has also led Canada to two straight Olympic gold medals. Macomb Daily LOADED: 08.15.2014 10
Grand Rapids Griffins add three to roster, including former Ferris State forward Kyle Bonis By Peter Wallner / MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Grand Rapids Griffins have added three forwards to the roster, including former Ferris State player Kyle Bonis. Bonis, who spent four seasons with the Bulldogs from 2009-13, signed a one-year contract Thursday along with Mark Zengerle, a 5-foot-11 185-pound forward who played for University of Wisconsin last season and collected a team-high 44 points. On Wednesday, the Griffins announced the signing of another former Badger in Tyler Barnes. He skated in 152 games with Wisconsin from 2010-14 and accumulated 101 points (45-56-100) and 107 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward ranked fourth on the team in scoring last season with 28 points (14-14-28) and 26 PIM. After the college season, Barnes had a stint with the San Antonio Rampage last season and picked up two goals in seven games. Meanwhile, Bonis played most of last season with the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound left wing had 45 points (25-20-45), and also got into three AHL games with Charlotte Checkers where he went scoreless. He had two points (1-1- 2) in six games with the Norfolk Admirals late in 2012-13. At Ferris State, the 25-year-old Bonis had 77 points (47-30-77) in 136 career CCHA games. 11
Wings re-sign Holland to four-year deal By Jim Parker / Windsor Star The Detroit Red Wings have been the winningest team in the National Hockey League since Ken Holland was named general manager in 1997. On Thursday, the club secured the 58-year-old Holland through the 2017-18 season with a new four-year contract. I m very proud, very happy, Holland said. I love being a Red Wing, love working for (owners) Mr. (Mike) and Mrs. (Marion) Ilitch in a city that loves hockey. I m very excited they had confidence in me to sign me. Also Thursday, it was announced the Grand Rapids Griffins, which is Detroit top farm team, will play and American Hockey League exhibition game against the Lake Erie Monster, which is the top farm club of the Colorado Avalanche, at the WFCU Centre on Oct. 3. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Tickets go on sale Sept. 8. Holland will no doubt be on hand to check out the game, which should ice many of the club s future prospects for success. I m as motivated and energized today as I was when I got the job in 1997, Holland said. It s a different job than it was in 1997. We overhauled the team in the early 2000 s and made a nice run. We re in the process of overhauling the team again, but I believe we can compete for a playoff spot. I m excited, I m optimistic. That s what motivates me. A former draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Holland got into goal for four NHL games in his career, including three with the Red Wings, before the club hired him as a scout for western Canada. He spent seven years as Detroit s director of amateur scouting for the team and three as assistant general manager before replacing Jimmy Devellano as general manager in 1997. Ken is regarded as one of the premier executives in the National Hockey League and has been instrumental in the success of the Red Wings over the last two decades, Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said. Marian and I are extremely pleased that he will continue to lead our hockey club over the next four years. 12
Since Holland took over as general manager, the Red Wings have more regular-season wins (747) and played in more playoff games (115) than any other NHL team while winning three Stanley Cups. The club has qualified for the playoffs every season under Holland and has a streak of 23 straight playoff appearances. I ve proud we ve been in the playoffs 23 straight years, proud we faced adversity the last two years and found a way to get in, Holland said. The league is tough, competitive. We have higher aspirations than being a bubble team, but we also respect bubble teams. It s hard to make the playoffs. These other teams want to make the playoffs as much as we do. We want to continue to be a playoff team, but we want to make noise in the playoffs. That s what motivates me. With Holland now securely in the fold, he said he plans to get to work on a deal with head coach Mike Babcock, who is entering his 10th season with the club and final year of a four-year extension he signed in 2010. Babcock has said he will not negotiate a new deal during the season. Babs and I communicated (Wednesday), Holland said. He s in western Canada. Let s get to Traverse City, (Mich), to training camp. He and I can sit down over the course of September. He and I can have communication and conversation and see where we go. Holland is also working to secure a deal with restricted free agent defenceman Danny DeKeyser. I m confident he s going to get signed, said Holland, who indicated DeKeyser s lack of pro playing experience is partly to blame for the delay. We like him a lot. 13
Wings sign GM Ken Holland to new four-year contract FOX Sports Detroit Ken Holland isn't going anywhere for a few more years. The Detroit Red Wings announced Thursday the team signed the executive vice president and general manager to a new four-year contract, which will keep him with the organization through the 2017-18 season. "Ken is regarded as one of the premier executives in the National Hockey League and has been instrumental in the success of the Red Wings over the last two decades," Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said in a statement. "Marian and I are extremely pleased that he will continue to lead our hockey club over the next four years." With Holland at the helm for the past 17 seasons, the Red Wings have won more regular-season games (746) and postseason games (115) than any other NHL team. The 58-year-old has also contributed to four Stanley Cup championships -- three as the team's manager (1998, 2002 and 2008) and one as assistant general manager (1997). The Red Wings have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs each year (1997-2014), and have won four Presidents' Trophies, five regular-season Conference titles and 10 Division titles under Holland as well. "We feel strongly that stability is key to the success of any organization and having this new agreement in place with Ken is important to the organization and its future," Ilitch said. Holland has been with the organization in various capacities for the past 31 seasons, including as a player and scout. 14