from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

Missing nearly the entire season made DeKeyser feel disconnected from the rest of the roster.

"Not being on the road and doing all the stuff that brings you closer together, that was the hardest part," DeKeyser said. "Anytime you're hurt, you’re just on a different schedule all the time, so you feel a little different for sure."

Despite all the defeats, DeKeyser believes the Wings did salvage positives that will benefit them in the future.

DeKeyser will be ready for the start of training camp in September – if it starts on time – and thinks better days are ahead for the organization.

"A lot of young guys got a chance to play this year and get a sniff of what NHL hockey is really like," DeKeyser said. "It was one of those years where it was growing pains, and it's tough when you're losing a lot, and team morale is low. You can kind of sense it at times through the year, when we were on a losing streak, there wasn't a ton of energy around the rink, guys got a little down. But it's hard when you go out there and play hard and lose, and mentally it can be a grind.

"But when you go through a year like this it makes those winning years that much better."

more including details of his injury and rehab...