The Detroit Red Wings are facing a major setback as they navigate their way through the final stretch of the NHL season. Head coach Todd McLellan announced on Friday, March 21, 2025, that defenseman Erik Gustafsson will be out long-term due to an undisclosed injury with no specified timeline for his return.
The injury occurred on March 18 during a game against the Washington Capitals, when Gustafsson had a collision with Capitals forward Lars Eller that sent him crashing into the boards late in the third period.
Initially, Gustafsson was diagnosed as day-to-day, but McLellan later confirmed the prognosis had worsened, indicating the team could be without the veteran for quite a while. The 33-year-old Swedish-born blue-liner has been a critical piece of the Red Wings’ blue line this season, posting two goals and 16 assists for 18 points across 60 appearances, in addition to adding 20 penalty minutes and a team-low minus-19 rating.
Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Gustafsson has played in a total of 515 career games, tallying 47 goals and 193 assists for 240 points. His highest-performance season came in 2018-2019 while with the Chicago Blackhawks, when he recorded 60 points (17 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games, which helped him earn a reputation as a reliable offensive defender.
Now, amidst Gustafsson's absence, the Red Wings are reminded of the depth of their roster. Rookie forward Elmer Söderblom is also dealing with an undisclosed injury and is considered day-to-day, though he will travel with the team for their upcoming road game on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights. In 22 appearances this season, Söderblom has contributed three goals and six assists for nine points.
While the injuries could impact the Red Wings' quest for the playoffs, they have taken steps to mitigate the situation by recalling forwards Austin Watson and Brogan Rafferty under emergency conditions.
Gustafsson’s absence is particularly felt on the second defensive pairing and the second power-play unit. His position is likely to be filled by rookie Simon Edvinsson, who has emerged as a promising talent. Edvinsson has amassed 25 points in 64 games this season, positioning himself as a solid contributor on the blue line, ranking third on the team in blocks (118) and hits (66).
Another candidate for increased responsibility is rookie Albert Johansson, who has played over 21 minutes in each of his last two games. Johansson has recorded eight points and a minus-seven rating in his 47 appearances this season, along with leading the team in blocked shots and coming in third for hits on the blue line.
In the big picture, the Red Wings currently find themselves at 32-30-6 on the season, sitting on the lower end of a tightly-contested playoff race. Just four points away from the final wildcard spot held by the Montreal Canadiens, the team recognizes the need to adapt quickly in light of these injuries. McLellan emphasized, “Properly filling Gustafsson’s void, and seeing the return of an impactful bottom-six piece like Söderblom, could heavily sway Detroit’s playoff hopes as they approach their final 14 games of the season.”
As the team gears up for their matchup against the Golden Knights, it becomes vital for Detroit to step up collectively in Gustafsson's absence. The Red Wings have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2016, and the urgency to end that streak is palpable. The organization and fans alike are hoping their rookies can rise to the occasion, shine, and help the team secure a coveted playoff berth against all odds.
With just weeks left in the regular season, the Red Wings are reminded that opportunities can be fleeting. Now, it’s time for both seasoned players and emerging stars to elevate their game and make the most of the time they have left to fight for playoff glory.
