Photo by Erik Roush/MiHockey

Stephen Weiss putting no pressure on himself in sophomore season with Red Wings

Photo by Jen Hefner/MiHockey
Photo by Jen Hefner/MiHockey

 

By Tom Mitsos – 

TRAVERSE CITY — To say Stephen Weiss had a forgettable season last year would be an understatement. The former first-round pick played in just 26 games with two goals and two assists for the Detroit Red Wings. He played his final game of the 2013-14 season in December after suffering a sports hernia.

However, after two surgeries in the offseason, the former Plymouth Whalers star is healthy and experiencing no pain, as he and the rest of the Red Wings kicked off training camp at Centre ICE Arena on Friday.

“It’s great, it was nice to be back,” the 31-year-old said. “It’s obviously been a while. It felt pretty good for a first controlled game/scrimmage in about nine months. I feel healthy — I have no pain, and I feel like it’s going to keep getting better and better as long as I can stay healthy.”

Weiss signed a five-year $24.5 million contract with the Red Wings in July 2013 after the Red Wings were unable to work out a deal with Valtteri Filppula. Weiss was brought in to be a second-line center, but the sports hernia derailed his season. He spent very little time on the ice at all, and when he was playing, he was bouncing around between the second, third and fourth lines.

For a team that struggled to score last season, the expectations for Weiss to contribute this season are high, but Weiss isn’t putting any pressure on himself.

“Zero,” he said on the amount of pressure he feels. “After what I went through last year, that’s for sure. I’m not thinking about it constantly. I’m just going to out and play. What I went through last year, I’m honestly just happy to be back on the ice.

“It could have gone the other way, and it could have really taken a toll on the rest of my career to be honest.”

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall said he was excited to see the entire team healthy, but was especially happy for Weiss.

“If he can stay healthy, he’s going to be a big part of this team,” Kronwall said. “So, we’re excited that he’s healthy — it looks like he’s in good shape.”

Captain Henrik Zetterberg agreed Weiss will be a big contributing factor toward the success of the team.

“It’s great to see that he’s healthy,” Zetterberg said. “Just be out there — really another chance to show what he can do. He’s a great player, we all know that. He went through a tough year last year, but he looks good out there and he’s going to be good for us this year.”

Weiss has struggled with injuries during the past two seasons. Last season in Florida, the lockout year of 2012-13, he played in just 17 games and registered one goal and three assists. Before that, Weiss was a regular contributor for the Panthers, as he registered at least 40 points four times during his eight-year stint.

Fortunately for Weiss and the Red Wings, it appears he may finally be getting back to a regular spot in the lineup.

“Like I said, no pain,” Weiss said. “That’s the biggest change from skating in the summer and having the skates at (Joe Louis Arena) the last week. Just starting to get contact again and guys leaning on you — that will all come going through camp every day and playing through exhibition games. Your body starts getting used to that again, and your conditioning gets back into game shape.

“… Having no pain is huge for me.”