As long a layoff as the Detroit Red Wings have had as an organization, Danny DeKeyser’s dates back more than a year.
Friday marked the first time he took part in an official practice since October 2019. In the eighth game of the season the Wings’ leader in minutes played hurt his back, leading to back surgery that rendered him out for the season.
He missed hockey, and the Wings missed him.
Much can happen in the less than two weeks before the Wings open a 56-slate on Jan. 14, but based on the first day of camp, DeKeyser looked good.