Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Bigs Deciding To Play Big
Soderblom, Rasmussen measuring up
One of the positive aspects to emerge from Tuesday’s 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins was seeing some of the bigger bodies on the Detroit Red Wings discovering that they loom large over many opponents.
Left-winger Elmer Soderblom, in and out of the lineup all season long, was performing like someone who’d suddenly realized that he can utilize his 6-foot-8, 252-pound frame to his advantage.
He finished the game with two hits, one a punishing check on Bruins forward Mark Kastelic. It was Kastelic who fought Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider in Boston.
On top of that, Soderblom was also making use of his massive frame to protect the puck in the offensive zone.
“It started in Boston,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said of Soderblom’s more physical presence. “I thought him with the two, with Danny (Nate Danielson) and Casp (Marco Kasper), that was a real good line for us in Boston and carried over into (Tuesday).
“Elmer was a factor in the game.”
Red Wings Rasmussen Not Seriously Hurt
Center/winger Michael Rasmussen also appears to have taken a brief stint in the press box while a healthy scratch as a wakeup call. The 6-foot-6, 222-pound forward is also proving to be a much larger presence on the ice since drawing back into the lineup.
Michael Rasmussen – Detroit Red Wings (4) pic.twitter.com/bs7NlqzNL2
— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) November 30, 2025
“I thought Ras played that way the last two games,” McLellan said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t get to finish.”
An upper-body injury limited Rasmussen to 9:22 of ice time on Tuesday. However, he was cleared of any serious damage. Ramussen was back at practice on Wednesday.
“He lost a little feeling and strength yesterday when he got hit,” McLellan said. “I don’t think it was an injury.
“It was just something pinched, and it’s back now. And away we go.”
Red Wings Video staff with Rasmussen and Soderblom showing them what they could be if they used their bodies to create offense, and explaining why we can’t leave Cat as the guy https://t.co/TiL9JjrHyy pic.twitter.com/TUn7EsYTMA
— Elmer Söderblom’s Momentous Wingspan (@tim_c_23) November 16, 2025
Of course, the key in this scenario is for Detroit’s big men to continue to loom large over opponents. They must bring a physical presence every night.
“If we can keep getting that from those types of players, it’s certainly beneficial for the club,” McLellan said.
We can only hope they try to be more physical. Soderblom could be feared but instead he is a cream puff. Just not in some guys DNA. Hopefully a little more would be nice.