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If Valtteri Filppula is allowed to walk -- as anticipated -- the Detroit Red Wings could target a current member of the Florida Panthers as replacement. As discussed by MLive.com, Elliotte Friedman recently reported that the Red Wings may try to forge a deal with the Panthers for the rights to Stephen Weiss before July 5. And the Detroit club isn't alone in its interest in the pending unrestricted free agent.

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UPDATE: If the Chicago Blackhawks aren't able to secure Bryan Bickell, the Detroit Red Wings won't be alone in pursuing the popular forward. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun suggests the Montreal Canadiens will also chase Bickell if he becomes a free agent.

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UPDATE: The Detroit Red Wings and Drew Miller have agreed to a three-year, $4.05 million contract.

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The Detroit Red Wings appear willing to hold onto forward Daniel Cleary for a while yet. According to Ansar Khan of MLive.com, the Red Wings would like to re-sign the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. And preliminary talks are underway.

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UPDATE: Consider this bonus late-spring action for one of the Detroit Red Wings' young defensemen. As anticipated, Danny DeKeyser is feeling good and ready to return to competitive play. MLive.com reports the DeKeyser will be part of the Grand Rapids Griffins' lineup during the Calder Cup Finals.

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If it wasn't already obvious, the Detroit Red Wings are nearly confirming they won't re-sign defenseman Ian White this summer. As reported by MLive.com, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock essentially made it official on Friday.

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Unless Valtteri Filppula is willing to adjust his salary demands, the 29-year-old has likely played his final game for the Detroit Red Wings. As discussed by Brenden Savage of MLive.com, the unrestricted free agent was looking to earn an average of over $5 million/season with his next contract. And the Red Wings aren't willing/able to cough up that kind of cash for the forward.

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The Los Angeles Kings obviously aren't going to declare a preference as to who their next opponent is. And, at this point, every remaining team is a tough out anyway. But both Chicago and Detroit could pose some different challenges for the defending champs as they look to get back to the Stanley Cup Final.

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During the abbreviated regular season, Jonathan Toews piled up 23 goals and 48 points in 47 games. After four games versus the Red Wings, of which the Chicago Blackhawks have lost three, Toews has zero goals and a lone assist. How have the Wings put the breaks on Toews' scoring prowess? Netminder Jimmy Howard helped by earning another shutout Thursday, but he gave a lot of the credit to Henrik Zetterberg, according to the Detroit News' John Niyo.

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It would have been easy to write the Detroit Red Wings off heading into their second round matchup with the highly touted Chicago Blackhawks. After all, the 'Hawks have the best record in hockey, just cruised past Minnesota in Round 1 and had beaten Detroit seven straight times heading into the series. Following a 4-1 Chicago victory in the opener, things weren't exactly looking up for the Wings.

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UPDATE: Forward Drew Miller is expected to return to the Detroit Red Wings' lineup for Saturday's Game 2 matinee with the Chicago Blackhawks. He's reportedly -- as per Matt Sitkoff and others -- taking part in the pre-game warmup. Miller could take the place of Todd Bertuzzi.

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No real biggie it seems, but Mikael Samuelsson will miss at least one game for the Detroit Red Wings in the second round. MLive.com reports the veteran forward has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Chicago Blackhawks after suffering a flare-up in the same strained pectoral muscle that was a bother at the end of the regular season. Samuelsson said he hopes to return at some point this series.

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Detroit Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary missed the last five minutes of Game 5 versus the Anaheim Ducks after being run into the boards by Daniel Winnik. He was able to return to the game and is expected to take part in Friday's Game 6, as the Wings try to keep their playoff hopes alive, according to Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press.

“Had to do some testing, see the doctor,” Cleary said. “My whole left side was sore — shoulder, hand, ribs, neck, head.”

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Defensemen Carlo Colaiacovo and Ian White are in position to watch yet another playoff game from the press box. Judging from Wednesday's skate, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock will likely stick with the same corps of six blueliners from Game 4 (3-2 OT win over the Anaheim Ducks).

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