The Detroit Red Wings have lost some key players to injury this season. Jeff Petry stays out long-term with an injury, and veteran center Andrew Copp is officially out for the season. Unfortunately, Dylan Larkin and his Red Wings could have lost one other two key contributors. Defenseman Erik Gustafsson could possibly be out long-term, while forward Elmer Soderblom is currently day-to-day together with his injury.
Soderblom has had an intriguing season for Detroit. He received a call-up on January twentieth, around a month into latest head coach Todd McLellan’s tenure behind the bench. And the hulking forward has made probably the most of the chance. He has three goals and nine points while playing major minutes for Detroit. Larkin recognized his impact within the captain’s recent media availability.
“He’s brought a pleasant element,” Larkin said, via Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. “We’re hoping he’s going to be all right. He’s an enormous a part of our team. It says loads a couple of young player that has had some ups and downs in his profession.”
Elmer Soderblom has earned a glance on Red Wings’ top line
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Soderblom shouldn’t be probably the most offensively gifted forward within the league. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old Red Wings forward brings numerous quality off the puck. His 6’8″ frame definitely helps matters, as well. His play helped earn him a glance alongside Dylan Larkin on the team’s top line. With each passing game, Soderblom’s confidence continued to grow.
“(Soderblom) probably got here in and has had a much bigger impact that all of us expected. I feel he’s run with it and he’s just built confidence. I felt with our line, he’s built increasingly confidence and also you see him playing more of a first-line game – hanging on to the puck somewhat bit longer and not only throwing it away,” Larkin said, via St. James.
The Red Wings definitely needed a brand new element at the highest of their lineup. Detroit has lost eight of their last 10 games, tanking their candidacy for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Red Wings are only 4 points back of the Montreal Canadiens for the East’s final Wild Card spot. Nonetheless, it is a rough road for the Red Wings to navigate.
Soderblom provided a needed shakeup once he was placed with Larkin and Lucas Raymond. Detroit definitely hopes they’ll see their hulking young forward on the ice sooner reasonably than later. Nonetheless, his health is of the utmost importance. They likely won’t rush the 23-year-old back if he is not in a position to play without complication.
