A day after San Jose forward Jeremy Roenick said Wings coach Mike Babcock does not respect Chris Chelios and accused him of holding a grudge against American players, both Babcock and Chelios said Friday that the situation needs to be put to rest and that there's no issues between them.

Babcock said he talked with Chelios today.

"I was sitting at the pancake place with the coaches this morning and Cheli walked over and said, "I think I should bring you an apple,' '' Babcock said. "First thing I did was phone my kids, because I got a couple of American kids, and tried to give them a hug over the phone because you don't want them to think their dad doesn't like (them).''


Babcock said of Roenick's comments, "Yeah, it bothered me, because it's a blatant lie.''

As Chelios was getting ready to address the media after the morning skate, Kris Draper walked by and said, "Sing 'O Canada', Cheli.''

Chelios said Roenick phoned him to apologize.

"J.R. is J.R. The NHL would be boring without J.R. Nothing to it,'' Chelios said.

He said of his relationship with Babcock: "Like every other coach, it's all business. Never had an issue or a problem with him in four years here. The only problem I've had with a coach is Mike Keenen, but he liked confrontations.''