Executives around the NHL expect plenty of movement before free agency opens Wednesday.

The Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup showed the value of speed and skill in a league dramatically tilting in that direction.

The fast-flying Colorado Avalanche have zoomed out to a 2-0 series lead over Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Colorado Avalanche overwhelmed the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Darren Helm scored with 5.6 seconds left and Darcy Kuemper stopped 17 shots as the Colorado Avalanche finished off their second-round series with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 6.

Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and the Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff spot with a 6-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguin.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Pius Suter each scored twice, including short-handed goals on the same penalty, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the San Jose Sharks 6-2.

The Colorado Avalanche became the first team in 26 years to score seven goals in three straight games with a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

The Colorado Avalanche became the first team in 26 years to score seven goals in three straight games with a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Darren Helm signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche this week, effectively ending his long tenure with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed center Pius Suter to a two-year contract.

Viktor Arvidsson scored three times to lead the surging Nashville Predators in a 7-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

The NHL is in the most difficult position among the four major North American professional sports leagues on vaccinations because seven of its teams are based in Canada.

Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi scored in the shootout to lift the Nashville Predators over the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Thomas Greiss made 27 stops to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay for their first road win against the Lightning in the regular season in more than 10 years.

Juuse Saros made 31 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Nashville Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-0 on Tuesday night. “I’ve been feeling good,” Saros said. With Nashville up 1-0 and on a power play, Saros denied Darren Helm on a breakaway. Nashville was 1-2 on the power play while Detroit came up empty in three power play opportunities. It was a lot of fun being back.”POWER PLAY CLICKINGAfter a slow start to the season, Nashville’s power play has hit its stride of late.

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) battle for the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)DETROIT – Dougie Hamilton and Nino Niederreiter scored, Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 on Sunday night for their eighth consecutive victory. Carolina moved into the Central Division lead at 20-6-1, a point ahead of idle Tampa Bay and Florida. “I think he’s feeling good about his game and when Anthony feels good about his game, good things happen,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I think puck management is going to be crucial Tuesday night.”ON THE MOVEThe Red Wings recalled forward Mathias Brome from the taxi squad.

The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 5-3. The five types of Red Wings at this moment:Ad1. Moritz Seider reacts after being selected sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. You’re looking at a list of some of the most exciting NHL prospects playing in Europe right now, and they’re ALL Red Wings prospects. The problem is the Red Wings still need a serviceable NHL goalie, not just Calvin Pickard .

The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 5-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)CHICAGO – Frans Nielsen had a goal and an assist and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Saturday night for their second straight victory. AdThe Red Wings made it 3-1 with their first power-play goal in 15 games with 1:33 left in the second. The Red Wings’ Svechnikov beat Subban from the doorstep for a 4-1 lead 2:33 into the third. UP NEXTThe Red Wings and Blackhawks meet again at United Center on Sunday night.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 19: Patric Hornqvist #70 of the Florida Panthers scores a first period goal past Thomas Greiss #29 of the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on February 19, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Patric Hornqvist scored in the first and third periods to help the Florida Panthers start and finish strong in a 7-2 victory over the the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. After winning an NHL-low 17 games last season, the Red Wings are among the league's worst teams with 15 losses in 19 games. “This was unacceptable.”When the Red Wings briefly had positive moments Friday night, they didn't last long. AdThe Panthers have won six straight on the road against the Red Wings and 11 of last 13 games overall against them.

The Detroit Red Wings have released a roster ahead of their 2020-21 season opener this week. This year there teams are allowed a taxi squad of up to six additional players to the normal 23-man roster. The Red Wings released a 22-man roster and six more players on the taxi squad. He’ll remain in the Red Wings organization after clearing waivers. I have placed the full Red Wings 2020-21 season schedule here.

DETROIT – Evgenii Dadonov and Mark Pysyk scored late in the first period and the Florida Panthers went on to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Saturday night. Dylan Larkin scored the 100th goal of his career with the Red Wings, and Jimmy Howard stopped 34 shots. The Red Wings had an extra skater for a fifth time early in the third and failed to take advantage, getting only one shot on Bobrovsky. NOTES: Red Wings C Frans Nielsen left with a lower-body injury in the second period. Red Wings: Play at Colorado on Monday night.

If you factor in the 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs before the trip out west, the Red Wings have been outscored 17-5 in their past four games. Meanwhile, Andreas Athanasiou, who scored 30 goals last season, is without a goal in the third week of October. Seriously, all I can think about is the "Summer of Yzerman" after 11 contracts come off of Detroit's books. Schedule (view full schedule here) Oct. 22, 2019 7:30 p.m. vs. Vancouver Oct. 23, 2019 7:30 p.m. @ Ottawa Oct. 25, 2019 7:30 p.m. vs. Buffalo Oct. 27, 2019 5 p.m. vs. St. Louis Oct. 29, 2019 7:30 p.m. vs. EdmontonMailbag I'm putting the newsletter naming on the backburner right now, but keep sending me your ideas -- dbartkowiak@wdiv.com. Homemade ice rink note:I'm still deciding whether I will have time to commit to building the backyard rink this year.

Anthony Mantha of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on October 10, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)MONTREAL - Claude Julien feels his Montreal Canadiens have simply not been sharp enough to start the season. The Canadiens lost 4-2 to the Detroit Red Wings in their home opener on Thursday night, Montreal's third defeat in a week. Darren Helm, Tyler Bertuzzi and Luke Glendenning also scored for the Red Wings, who have three wins in four games this season. With the score tied 2-2 in the second period, Mantha scored the eventual winner on the power play at 15:38.