Red Wings’ Erik Gustafsson out long-term, no timeline for return

The Detroit Red Wings announced Friday that defenseman Erik Gustafsson will be out of the lineup long-term, with no timetable for his anticipated return.

Facing the Eastern Conference leading Washington Capitals on Tuesday, Gustafsson sustained an undisclosed injury late in the third period. Skating in his first season with the Red Wings, through 60 appearances the 33-year-old Swedish-born blue-liner has scored twice and added 16 assists for 18 points coupled with 20 penalty minutes and a minus-19 rating.

Originally chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Gustafsson has totaled 515 career contests counting stops with the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Red Wings in which he has registered 47 goals and 193 assists for 240 points. With the Blackhawks in 2018-19, Gustafsson reached a career-high 60 points counting 17 goals and 43 assists coming in 79 games. Gustafsson has also added two goals and 10 assists for 12 points through 49 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Per PuckPedia, Gustafsson is in the first year of a two-year pact that carries a $2-million annual average value.

Beyond Gustafsson, the Red Wings will also be without left winger Elmer Soderblom on a day-to-day basis, though he will travel with the club to its upcoming road game Saturday versus the Vegas Golden Knights before later visiting the Utah Hockey Club and Colorado Avalanche next week, Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan confirmed. Through 22 appearances with the Red Wings this season, the 23-year-old Swedish-born forward has notched three goals and six assists for nine points alongside four penalty minutes and a minus-one rating.

On the season, the Red Wings sit 32-30-6 and four points back of the Canadiens for the final wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference. The Red Wings have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2016.