When Bill Derlago was the No. 1 center for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the mid-1980s, he reasoned the worst thing a player could do was score 20 goals in a season, because then that level of production would be expected every season.
Curiously, Derlago actually topped 30 goals three times and 40 goals once while a Leaf, but that’s not the issue of discussion here today.
No, we’re talking about the general subject of expectations and how those expectations have changed significantly for Detroit Red Wings left-winger Justin Abdelkader.
Abdelkader, 28, netted 23 goals last season, obliterating his previous career high of 10 and raising the bar of expectations for himself in the process.
Abdelkader understands that reality succinctly.
“This is a league where you’ve got to prove yourself every year,… Abdelkader said. “You can’t think anything’s going to carry over, except maybe confidence.
“I feel like each year I’ve gotten stronger and stronger and kind of built my game. Hopefully this is another year where I can take another step.
“Obviously I’ll be counted on more offensively and I look forward to more of that type of role.…
While it’s never a good idea to put a lot of stock into forward line combinations during training camp, Abdelkader has been skating with Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist during camp scrimmages in Traverse City, certainly an indication that he will be counted on to play big minutes and deliver potent productivity.
Abdelkader remembers his approach earlier in his career when he’d be slotted alongside high-end skill players.
“Don’t screw up,… Abdelkader recalled. “Don’t make mistakes. Get those guys the pucks as much as possible.
“I’ve gotten more comfortable as the more games I’ve played with those guys. Babs (former coach Mike Babcock) instilled confidence in me by giving me a spot there.
“I know the first 5-6-7 games I was with them a lot of the media were saying why am I playing there because my high was 10 goals. He kept the confidence in me and whether it was Pav (Datsyuk) or Z (Zetterberg) they enjoyed playing with me and I knew what my job was, what my role was. As I went along with those guys I got more confidence, starting making more plays.…
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill remembers well the young Abdelkader that he once coached in the Michigan youth hockey ranks and sees his development as a scorer at the NHL level as simply the latest step in his development as a player.
“The thing with Justin, I knew Justin as a 16-year-old,… Blashill said. “He was a talented offensive player.
“I had a chance to coach him then. Justin's been a talented offensive player at different points in his career. I think, obviously, you have to do it year after year after year in order to prove yourself, that you're an offensive player at this level. I have absolute belief that he'll continue that.
“To me, (last season) that wasn't an anomaly, that was his maturation process of learning how to survive in the league to then getting a little bit more ice time to now being who Justin Abdelkader is. What you saw last year is what I believe he is.…
There’s another issue that could impact Abdelkader’s upcoming season. His contract expires at the end of the season and he could potentially be a free agent. Abdelkader acknowledged that no contract discussions have been initiated with the Wings.
“No real talks yet,… Abdelkader said. “We’ll see as we go through camp here and into the season.
“My focus right now while we’re up here is to get myself prepared for the season.…
And to ensure that another productive campaign is ahead of him.
“Especially as I’ve gotten older, I’ve taken on a bigger role with this team, even in the locker room leadership-wise,… Abdelkader said. “I look forward to that.
“Obviously expectations will be higher but all I can do is work hard, try to put myself in those same positions and see what happens.…
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