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There are only 10-14 players practicing with Howard and backup goalie Jonas Gustavsson as a lot of Red Wing players have left the Detroit area to play in Europe. "Definitely it's a lot different compared to the normal practices we're used to," Howard said. "Playing these cross-ice games, even though they're fun, they're just not realistic." Goaltenders who aren't playing in games could get off to a slow start once the lockout ends as training camps will not be as long as usual and netminders who are playing in Europe or in the minors will have a definite advantage in the early going.