- The Detroit Red Wings are bringing back one of their own.

Reports out of Detroit indicate the club on Friday called up former Wing Darren McCarty from their AHL farm team in Grand Rapids. It’s uncertain when he’ll debut in the lineup but it could be as early as Sunday against the Nashville Predators.

It’s been a long road back to the NHL for McCarty. After spending 11 seasons with the Red Wings, helping them win three Stanley Cups (including a memorable goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Four of the 1997Cup Finals) and becoming one of the team’s most popular players, he went unsigned by the Wings following the 2004-05 lockout.

Signed by the Calgary Flames to a two-year contract, McCarty was but a shadow of his once physically dominant self, as off-ice personal problems (bankruptcy, divorce, alcohol and substance abuse) conspired to hamper his effectiveness and conditioning.

Fortunately, with the help of his ex-wife and friends, including former Wings teammate Kris Draper, McCarty has overcome his problems and worked hard to get himself back into game shape, first with Draper’s IHL team the Flint Generals, then on a tryout contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

His performance and work ethic so impressed Wings management that they recently signed McCarty to a pro-rated one-year NHL contract.

If he returns on Sunday, he can likely expect a standing ovation from Red Wings fans. Here’s hoping he makes the most of this opportunity as it could lead to perhaps another contract with the Wings next season.

- The Columbus Blue Jackets announced the re-signing of forward Andrew Murray to a three-year, $1.8 million contract extension.

Murray’s situation is also a “feel-good” story, having spent the last two seasons with the Blue Jackets farm team. He was called up back in December and has become a valuable checking forward for the club.

"I never dreamed I'd be getting an extension," he told the Columbus Dispatch.