Gustavsson 'never got in a rhythm' with Red Wings, hopes to play 10 more years

Jonas Gustavsson hopes to play for another decade after an injury-plagued season with the Detroit Red Wings.

The goaltender was limited to seven games due to a shoulder ailment and a concussion, along with the emergence of Petr Mrazek to complement veteran Jimmy Howard.

"My shoulder injury kept me out (for a) long time," Gustavsson told George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press.

"I didn't know if I was going to come back or if I needed surgery. I did pretty much everything I could rehab-wise to try and come back. I managed to get back and play a few games, then I got the concussion. Obviously, I never got in a rhythm. Then at the end of the season, we had two other goalies. Mrazek came up and played great. It wasn't much room for me, and I understood that.

"(I) tried to work on my game in the shadows, tried to keep pushing myself. Tried to be a good teammate. Hopefully that's going to help me in the future."

Gustavsson is not likely in the team's plans for next season, but he has no plans to give up on the game.

"Hopefully I can stay in this league," he said. "I feel I have lots left in the tank. I'm only 30 years old. So, hopefully have another 10 years of good hockey in me."

Gustavsson battled groin, hip and heart problems in previous years. He posted a 3-3-1 record with a 2.56 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in his limited playing time this season.