TRAVERSE CITY - Petr Mrazek is said to be in better shape after working hard in the off-season and in a great frame of mind.

He likely was humbled from being exposed and bypassed in the expansion draft. He should be highly motivated entering the final year of his contract, with his NHL future on the line.

The Detroit Red Wings couldn't draw up a better scenario for Mrazek to bounce back.

Now, it's up to the 25-year-old goaltender to prove he can be the player he was before his career took a surprising turn in the latter half of the 2015-16 season.

"When people go through adversity, sometimes it can be a great thing," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "You learn a lot, you become better in areas and Petr's a great kid. He's always been that. I think he's positioned to have success this year."

This team needs numerous players to rebound, and Mrazek is near the top of the list after finishing 36th in the league in goals-against average (3.04) and save percentage (.901).

Blashill outlined the off-season changes Mrazek made.

"There's a phrase I've used lots; I stole it from (former Notre Dame football coach) Tyrone Willingham: Great athletes learn to work past boredom," Blashill said. "They do the same drill over and over to master a skill. I think Petr changed to do more of that type of stuff so he masters all those little skills -- how to get stick on puck, how to have post integration. It's like free-throw shooting; if you want to be a great free-throw shooter, you got to shoot free throws over and over. It's boring, most people don't want to do it, but you've got to do it to become great at it."

Mrazek tended to move around a lot in his crease. Routine saves sometimes were harder than they had to be. He said he's made a couple of adjustments with his positioning and watched about 100 video clips each night for up to an hour.

"Not to be flying in the net, just stay calm and stop as many pucks as I can," Mrazek said Saturday, following the second day of training camp at Centre I.C.E.

Beyond any technical adjustments, Mrazek seems determined to have a better attitude and work ethic, which were called into question during last season and undoubtedly contributed to the organization's decision to protect Jimmy Howard, who is eight years older than Mrazek, in the expansion draft.

"The season wasn't the season I wanted to have, so I'm happy I'm back," Mrazek said. "I have lots to give back to Detroit. We all know they gave me a chance to play my first NHL game and gave me a chance to play (144) games. So, I have lots to prove and give them back."

Mrazek is entering the final year of his contract at $4 million. If he doesn't show significant improvement, the Red Wings aren't likely to make him a qualifying offer next summer ($4 million), which would make him an unrestricted free agent.

He called it a challenge, not a reason to feel pressure.

"More excitement maybe, to be one of the best goalies in the league and try to prove myself that I can do it," Mrazek said. "It doesn't matter if it's the contract year or not, every season you want to be the best."

After Howard excelled during an injury-shortened campaign, Mrazek heads into the season as the back-up. But it figures to be an ongoing competition.

Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar said he is confident Mrazek can regain the dominant form he showed the first part of 2015-16.

"Goalie is a tough position; you have to be mentally strong and I hope Petr will be," Tatar said. "He worked hard during the summer. He lost weight. He came ready. Like us, he needs to prove people wrong. He has to show the work ethic he had before.

"I think he's a great goaltender. He proved that before. I think he's a great guy and good to have in the locker room."

Howard said he's noticed how hard Mrazek worked.

"Hopefully, we make a great 1-2 punch for the guys," Howard said. "You can just tell how hard he's working out there on the ice and upstairs in the weight room."

Mrazek said of his relationship with Howard: "The season is really long, you're playing seven months and 82 games, so we have to be great partners on the ice, off the ice, support each other and do the best job we can to bring two points on our end."

Mrazek said he also has a good relationship with the coaches.

"I think every guy can tell you we have a great friendship with all of the coaches off the ice," he said. "On the ice, if they yell at you, you have to stay strong and you have to agree with him. We had a good conversation with Blash and (goalie coach) Jeff Salajko before camp. If I don't like something or they don't like something, we're going to talk about it."

Kronwall might stay off ice

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall, hampered by knee issues last season, hasn't skated the first two days of camp.

"Kronner had a little bit of back spasm today, so that's nothing at all I'm concerned about, but I'm not sure whether he'll hit the ice in Traverse or we'll just wait," Blashill said. "I don't think it's any big deal, but we'll take it day by day."