Red Wings: Notebook - Hasek expected to retire today

Monday, June 9, 2008
Red Wings: Notebook
Wings' Hasek expected to retire today
Chelios anticipates meeting Holland within the next two weeks, with a one-year deal likely.
Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- The first personnel move regarding the Red Wings for next season likely will take place this morning.

The Wings have scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference at Joe Louis Arena at which goalie Dominik Hasek is expected to announcement his retirement.

Hasek, 43, has said repeatedly since the Wings won the Stanley Cup last week he was strongly leaning toward a direction about next season.

Hasek had said it wouldn't take very long for him to decide whether he'd want to return.

After a fine regular season, Hasek began the playoffs as the No. 1 goalie.

But four games into the Nashville series in the first round, coach Mike Babcock replaced Hasek with Chris Osgood with the series 2-2 and Hasek unable to play consistently.

Hasek will go down as one of the best goalies in NHL history.

Six times from 1993 to 2001, Hasek won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie. Twice Hasek was voted the league's Most Valuable Player.

Acquired by the Wings in 2002, Hasek led the Wings to a Stanley Cup victory over the Hurricanes. He set a record with six shutouts during those 2002 playoffs.

General manager Ken Holland had said the last few days the Wings would be interested in retaining Hasek, but only if Hasek had the passion to return for one more season.

More personnel

Chris Chelios isn't thinking about retirement, and Dallas Drake is leaning that way and likely will go that route.

Chelios, 46, will meet with Holland within the next two weeks and likely hammer out a one-year contract.

That is, if Chelios is ready to accept a lesser role than he's played the last few seasons.

"There's no doubt he wants to play," Holland said. "His role might be changing and is he willing to accept a different role?"

Chelios, who will have arthroscopic knee surgery this summer, will do anything to keep playing.

"I feel like I'm a great insurance policy. I'd rather win and play less than lose and play more," Chelios said. "I can live with whatever role they give me.

"It's never been a money issue. Hopefully, I'll be at this (locker) stall again (next season). I have every intention of coming back."

Drake, 39, said he'll take another couple weeks to make sure of his decision.

"I'm going to meet with Dallas Drake, it might be in a couple of weeks," Holland said. "He has to decide if he wants to play again."

... After being on the verge of making it official for several months now, the Wings and Babcock likely will announce a three-year extension today or Tuesday.

Holland was confident a deal could be announced in the next day or two.

Babcock said, "We'll get it done."

The three-year extension for Babcock would coincide with the three years remaining on Holland's contract.

Babcock might need to replace one of his assistants, though.

Todd McClellan is interviewing for coaching vacancies at San Jose and Atlanta.

Some news reports in Atlanta say McClellan could be a favorite in the Thrashers' search.

... Darren McCarty made a successful comeback this season and doesn't want it to end yet.

McCarty, 36, said Saturday he's planning on playing next season and would like it to be with the Wings. Holland expects to offer a contract to McCarty.

You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606, or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.