Osgood is Back, Will Start Saturday Against Kings

Chris Osgood is now back at full health and ready to compete sending Joey MacDonald back down the Grand Rapids.

Howard will start Friday night's meeting with the Ducks and Osgood will have the task of shutting down the L.A. Kings on Saturday night. Osgood missed about a month with a groin injury.

This is great news in my opinion, as Osgood's return (hopefully) will allow Howard to f=sit out more games so he's not burned out from a Kiprusoff-like schedule come April.

Abdelkader and Draper Out for Weekend; Is Maltby Done?

Just in case someone thought there might be a chance the Red Wings would have an idyllic beginning to the 2010/11 season, grab a brush and wash away those crazy thoughts. Mike Babcock ruled out Justin Abdelkader and Kris Draper's availability to play this weekend.

Abdelkader, who is suffering from a cartilage problem with his ribs was ruled out for the two opening games of the 2010/11 season against Anaheim on Friday night and the Wings' visit to Chicago on Saturday night.

Likewise for Kris Draper, who has been having groin problems since a training camp scrimmage on September 18.

Todd Bertuzzi skated on Thursday and says if he feels the same on Friday, he will be ready for the Ducks. Bertuzzi has seen the return of his back problems of late and was unable to practise for about a week.

While it seems slightly more likely that Bertuzzi will be good to go against the Ducks, his absence coupled with that of Abdelkader and Draper creates an opening in the roster that will require the calling-up of a Griffin. Given the loss of Ritola via waivers to Yzerman's Lightning, Kirk Maltby would be the leading candidate for recall.

Kirk Maltby recently cleared waivers to be sent down to the Grand Rapids Griffins. The veteran is now considering his future; whether to report to the Griffins or to retire. After Friday morning's skate Maltby will know if Bertuzzi will play in the season opener and if he's required to fill in.

Bertuzzi Talks, Ritola Re-Signs, Larsson to Sweden

According to the Free Press, Holland and co. have begun talks with Bertuzzi's management for a possible multi-year deal.

"Certainly the organization liked what Todd did, and Todd enjoyed his year in Detroit, and is interested in coming back," agent Pat Morris said.

Bertuzzi, 35, made $1.5 million last season. He was one of three Wings (with Lidstrom and Brad Stuart) to play all 82 games, during which he produced 18 goals among 44 points. He followed up with 11 points in 12 playoff games.

The deal might end up being for two years, as Bertuzzi, after moving every year since first leaving Detroit in the summer of 2007, is eager for some continuity. Earlier in the season, in discussing Detroit, he told the Free Press, "When the grass is as green as it is here, why go anywhere else?"

But with around 6 weeks until free agency begins and Nick Lidstrom's status still undecided, it's unlikely many deals much more than minimum salary will be inked any time soon.

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Red Wings goalie prospect, Daniel Larsson has signed a 2-year deal with HV71 of Sweden's Eliteserien per mlive. The contract has an 'out-clause' which would allow him to return to the Red Wings after one year if he wishes.

Larsson has spent the last two season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins and has expressed frustration at not being able to make the big leagues.

"They wanted me in the AHL for at least another year, but I felt that the two seasons were enough. They don't have a solid goalie coach down there and another season could stop my development,"

It's interesting to note, that HV71 happens to be the same club former Red Wing prospect, Stefan Liv fled to after a disappointing halt in his development after a promising start to his pro-career. Hopefully this move is good for Larsson and he doesn't end up being just another Liv.

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Also per mlive, Wings' prospect, Mattias Ritola has signed a three-year contract extension worth $1.55m -- a cap hit of around $516.7k. Ritola will be subject to waivers but not re-entry waivers for the first season.