"However the coming season goes for the Red Wings, it all began Monday on the east side with a vigorous, voluntary skate at City Sports Center.

Quite nearly Labor Day, and the guys are beginning to congregate — 18 days before training camp opens in Traverse City, 22 days before their first exhibition at Pittsburgh and 38 days before their first game of the season, Friday, Oct. 7.

"The summer was good!" said the suntanned, seemingly ageless captain, Nicklas Lidstrom, 41, the 2011 Norris Trophy winner who returns for a 20th season. "It went by quick. I was back home for most of the time, and just enjoying the family."

Asked if, as he anticipates the 2011-12 season, it feels a bit like a transition year, Lidstrom said, "A little bit."

He was not forecasting a decline in play.

But the surnames of Kris Draper, Chris Osgood and Brian Rafalski are no longer on three dressing stalls in the locker room. And new ones have appeared — Ty Conklin, who returns after two seasons away from the Red Wings to back up Jimmy Howard in goal; the promising young defenseman Jacob Kindl; and the speedy forward, Jan Mursak, who may emerge as a regular.

"With the guys that are retiring and not coming back, and guys that I've played with for a long period of time — eventually it's going to happen for all of us," Lidstrom said. "It's just part of hockey.""