News staff and wire services

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane says former Blackhawks teammate Jonathan Toews should expect an “unbelievable reception and ovation” in Chicago this year.

Kane and Toews helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups in six years (2010, 2013, 2015).

Now, after a two-year hiatus from the NHL because of the effects of Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and long COVID, Toews signed with his hometown Winnipeg Jets in June.

“He’s (Toews) going to have an unbelievable reception and ovation when he comes back,” Kane said on ESPN Chicago’s “Carmen & Jurko Show.”

“I’m sure if you asked us five or six years ago, we probably would tell you we were going to finish with the Blackhawks and play for one team but it’s cool to get some different experiences and play with some different franchises and see what else is out there a little bit.

“I’m happy he’s coming back and obviously he’s getting another chance to play with a good team in Winnipeg, his hometown and finish off the way he wants. But also that he’s feeling good and he’s able to come back. That’s important.”

Ex-Wings coach Scarpace hired by Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech head hockey coach Bill Muckalt hired the final assistant for his coaching staff this week.

L.J. Scarpace, who’s been a video coach in the NHL since 2017, will join Tyler Shelast and Benton Maass under Muckalt.

Scarpace spent the last six seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He and Muckalt both played and coached at Michigan, with Scarpace working as a video coordinator and director of player development for 13 years.

“L.J. comes to Houghton with experiences from the highest levels of hockey. I’ve had a great relationship with him for many years,” Muckalt said in a release. “He will help develop our goaltenders, and his video and game preparation experience will be an advantage for our team.”

Stars trade Dumba to Penguins

The Stars traded Matt Dumba to Pittsburgh in a swap of defensemen Thursday, with Dallas getting Vladislav Kolyachonok while sending a 2028 second-round pick to the Penguins.

Dumba never had an impact after signing a $7.5 million, two-year contract in free agency last year. He was a healthy scratch for all 18 playoff games as the Stars lost in the Western Conference final for the third consecutive year.

The 30-year-old Dumba had one goal and nine assists in 63 games during the regular season. It was the fewest goals for Dumba since scoring one in 13 games as a rookie with Minnesota in 2013-14.

Dumba has 258 points (84 goals, 174 assists) in 737 games over 12 seasons. Pittsburgh will be his fourth team in three seasons after he spent the first 10 years of his career with the Wild.

Kolyachonok played for the Penguins and Utah last season, recording seven points (two goals) in 35 games. The 24-year-old’s career began in 2021-22 when the Utah franchise was in Arizona. He has 14 points (four goals) in 74 career games.

Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here.