The Detroit Red Wings were light on players at practice, and likely will need reinforcements before leaving on a challenging trip.
Forward Elmer Söderblom and defenseman Erik Gustafsson were both absent from Thursday’s practice, each dealing with undisclosed injuries suffered in Tuesday’s game at the Washington Capitals. Coach Todd McLellan described Söderblom as “day-to-day,” and put the same tag on Gustafsson, but that could change when more information becomes available.
“He’s still being evaluated,” McClellan said. “Call it day-to-day, there’s potential for a longer-term injury, but we need some results.”
Söderblom was called up Jan. 20 and made his season debut Jan. 21. He’s since worked his way up to play on the top line, and has three goals and six assists in 22 games.
“He’s brought a nice element,” Dylan Larkin said. “We’re hoping he’s going to be all right. He’s a big part of our team. It says a lot about a young player that has had some ups and downs in his career.
“Probably came in and has had a bigger impact that we all expected. I think he’s run with it and he’s just built confidence. I felt with our line, he’s built more and more confidence and you see him playing more of a first-line game – hanging on to the puck a little bit longer and not just throwing it away.”
Michael Rasmussen skated in Söderblom’s spot with Larkin and Lucas Raymond at practice.
Gustafsson (18 points, minus-19 in 60 games) is a regular on the third pairing and second power-play unit, but his injury Tuesday left him hobbling out of Capital One Arena. Jeff Petry subbed in at practice, in his first full tilt since an injury that has sidelined him since Jan. 2.
“Petey is coming,” McLellan said. “This was his true first real heavy-hard practice that he’s had.
“He’s had a couple light ones with the team. He’s getting close. Will he be available on this trip? He’ll make the trip. He won’t play in Vegas and we’ll figure out what happens after that, where he’s at. But he’s getting close.”
The Wings play Saturday at the Vegas Golden Knights, Monday at the Utah Hockey Club and Tuesday at the Colorado Avalanche. They have forward Dominik Shine and defenseman William Lagesson available, but likely will need to make one if not two call-ups before leaving Friday.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings injuries: Elmer Söderblom, Erik Gustafsson out
