After an off-day Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings held practice Thursday heading into Friday's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing coach Todd McLellan a chance to provide an update on the health of the two injured Red Wings: goaltender Petr Mrazek and forward Elmer Soderblom.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
"Both skated, both participated as you saw, full participation, so I'm assuming they're good, but I haven't spent any time with the [training] staff," McLellan told reporters Thursday. "Elmer's probably closer to playing I would think, in the coach's mind anyhow, than Petr is. He just needs a couple more days as a goaltender, but we have our fingers crossed that [Elmer] could potentially return tomorrow."
Trending Red Wings Stories
Red Wings Vladimir Tarasenko's Surprisingly Disappointing Year
Report: Red Wings Second Round Goaltender Trey Augustine to Return to Michigan State
Every Expiring Detroit Red Wings Contract
Red Wings Trade For Mrazek Doesn't Add Up Now
Mrazek has been out since the Red Wings' win in Utah on Mar. 24, a game in which he was injured in under two minutes. Meanwhile, Soderblom hasn't played since that same night (having also missed the game prior), but now it sounds as though the towering forward is on the brink of returning to action, with Mrazek not far behind him in the queue to return to health.
Detroit faces a critical weekend for its already perilous playoff hopes, with the Hurricanes in town Friday night and then the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers visit Little Caesars Arena Sunday.