Stephen Weiss left Friday's 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs in the second period with an apparent groin injury. Weiss did say after the game that he fully expected to be OK to play in the season opener Wednesay night. "I feel pretty good,'" Weiss said. "Just a little something going on there, decided to shut it down in the third and make sure we're ready for Wednesday." Let's hope for the Red Wings' sake that Weiss is right about his status.

Stephen Weiss is looking forward to playing for Detroit after spending parts of 11 seasons with the Florida Panthers. Weiss is 30 years old, but has only been to the playoffs once. That's in contrast with the Detroit Red Wings, who will be attempting to make the postseason for the 23rd consecutive campaign. "Just walking in (to Joe Louis Arena) this morning and seeing the pictures and all the history here, it's something you don't have in Florida," Weiss said. "Right away it hits you. Just going into the arena is pretty special. I've only played here a few times in my career and I've enjoyed it thoroughly, the history here. It's so awesome." Weiss is projected to skate alongside Johan Franzen.

Coach Mike Babcock told Stephen Weiss what he expects from him this season. "We explained the situation to him very clearly," said Babcock Tuesday. "We told him if he's not ultra competitive, he couldn't come here. If he didn't bring it every day, he couldn't come here because he's going to hate it if he didn't (compete), he's going to dislike the coach and dislike playing here. That was what we talked about. It's not like it's a surprise." Weiss didn't have an issue with the team's expectations and he's excited for the upcoming season. From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130903/SPORTS0103/309030098#ixzz2ds4iy77V

Stephen Weiss is looking forward to playing with the Detroit Red Wings. He took to the ice for an informal skate at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday and admitted to feeling like a "deer in headlights." Weiss is projected to be paired with Johan Franzen on Detroit's second line this campaign. He is excited to extend Detroit's playoff streak after making his first postseason appearance in 2011-12. "They've won so many Stanley Cups," Weiss said. "I've been around awhile but haven't had too much of a taste of playoff hockey. I'm going to follow their lead and go out and do my thing and try to help out as much as I can."

Veteran Stephen Weiss, acquired by the Detroit Red Wings in the off-season, likely will be the team's second-line center, according to NHL.com. NHL.com currently projects Weiss to center the Red Wings' second line with Daneil Alfredsson, the team's other veteran free-agent acquisition, and Gustav Nyquist.

The Red Wings have plenty of options for wingers to play with free agent addition Stephen Weiss this season. Johan Franzen, Daniel Alfredsson and Gustav Nyquist appear to be the frontrunners, while Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson could also land top-six spots if they are healthy. With Weiss in the fold, Detroit coach Mike Babcock may decide to keep Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the same line this year. GM Ken Holland is counting on Alfredsson and Weiss to help improve the team's scoring potential. "We felt we had some needs we wanted to fill," Holland said. "We wanted to get more scoring. We were challenged last season to score some goals."

The Florida Panthers budget constraints are likely to blame for the departure of many top players to free agency. Center Stephen Weiss signed a lucrative five-year contract with the Red Wings while Florida has remained relatively quiet through the free agent frenzy thus far. "We have a budget, and we have a budget we have to stick with," said Florida GM Dale Tallon. "That's what the mandate is. It's all in the budget. So, that's what we're doing." With a large group of young talented players in its system, the Panthers are hoping they can remain competitive without spending much more than the salary cap floor.

Stephen Weiss said it was an "easy decision" to sign with the Red Wings. He agreed to a five-year, $24.9 million deal. "It was a pretty easy decision to come and play for Mr. (Ken) Holland and Mr. (Mike) Babcock and the Red Wings organization," said Weiss. "It's been a culture of winning over the years. Their goal every year is to win a Stanley Cup." Weiss made the playoffs one time in his 10 years with the Panthers. He'll slide in as the Wings' number-two center.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed Stephen Weiss to a five-year/$24.5 million contract.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press is reporting that the Detroit Red Wings are interested in center Stephen Weiss. Weiss has spent his whole career in Florida with the Panthers but had his season come to a halt when required season-ending wrist surgery after scoring a goal and four points in 17 games. The Red Wings would use him as a second line center if he signs on, allowing them to put Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the same line. With free agency starting Friday, it should be an interesting day.