Red Wings thankful for holiday break; forwards battle for playing time

The Red Wings went back to work and resumed their busy, condensed NHL schedule Saturday in Raleigh. But they did so, coming off three full days off. There was plenty of opportunity to spend valuable time with family, getting away from the daily grind of professional sports, and recharging for the season ahead. All while some NFL teams, including the Lions, were playing on Christmas Day, and the NBA, as well. The Pistons, in fact, are on an extended road trip on the West Coast during this holiday season. Wings players and coaches were thankful for the time off. “It’s funny because I drive down with Yawns (assistant coach Trent Yawney) all the time, and I picked him up Tuesday morning, and we...