Red Wings continue pursuit of Zach Parise, Ryan Suter

DETROIT - The news keeps changing, and we're left with more answers than questions.

Who's talking to whom? Who's going where? Is a decision coming soon?

The Red Wings continued their pursuit of the two biggest names on the free agent market Tuesday. There are, indeed, no imminent decisions, but it is apparent Ken Holland and the Red Wings brass is still aggressively seeking a slam dunk combination.

Reports trickled out early Tuesday morning that head coach Mike Babcock was spotted in the Minneapolis airport, seeking a face-to-face encounter with left wing Zach Parise.

Parise, speaking to the media Monday, affirmed he planned to head home to speak to his fiancé and family about his decision.

Detroit offered the former Devils forward a contract Sunday, and the offer is believed still be very much on the table. The Red Wings are reportedly still in Parise's "list" of teams, joining the Devils and Penguins.

Ryan Suter's agent, Neil Sheehy, told reporters Tuesday, his client will not make a decision until Thursday at the earliest.

That doesn't mean the Red Wings are resting their case.

Late in the afternoon, owner Mike Ilitch and team advisor Chris Chelios arrived back in Detroit after meeting with Suter in Madison, Wisconsin. The team declined to confirm the meeting.

Suter met with the Red Wings brass and members of the Minnesota Wild Tuesday.

The reported offer from Detroit to the 27-year old defenseman was originally for 13 years and $80 million, but that has been upped to $90 million.

As Parise and Suter wait to sign their new deals, the rest of the NHL is in somewhat of a holding pattern. Yet one thing remains certain: the Red Wings will be working through the holiday.