July and early August were an idyllic interval between Abdelkader's first NHL highlights and the grand expectations held for him by the denizens of Hockeytown. The two goals he scored against the Pittsburgh Penguins the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, the first time a rookie did that in 28 years, announced his potential to the league.

But whether he's now poised to help replace the 88 goals the Red Wings lost to free agency this summer -- let alone to become the defensive, body-checking, high-scoring forward for whom the Wings brass hopes -- awaits his performance in training camp, which begins in about four weeks.

Four weeks. That's why summer vacation pretty much ended last week for Abdelkader.

"With the Olympics, everything seems like it's starting early this year," he said as he sat in the locker room at Munn Ice Arena, last week. He was considering whether to forestall throbbing groins with an ice bath after his first skate since last season -- a 90-minute grind, complete with passing and defensive drills and scrimmaging.

"Oh, yeah, I'll be sore. But it's good. I am excited for the opportunity, this year."