Elmer Soderblom, Todd McLellan Morning Skate Media | Dec. 4, 2025

Elmer Soderblom, Todd McLellan Morning Skate Media | Dec. 4, 2025

12:00 bus. Um, coming off that win in Boston, what can you guys build on from that game? Uh, I just think we played uh like more solid uh defensively and uh just keep playing the same way. You know, being tough, physical, and uh be a tough team to play against. A long road trip off with this group tonight. What’s the mentality going into it and what will it take to establish a good road game tonight? Uh I think we just need to build off off of last game, you know. Uh played some uh you know, road hockey here. Uh it doesn’t always have to be fancy. Just find a way to get the wins here on the road. And you guys faced Columbus less than two weeks ago in overtime win. Um when you look at them on the ice, what stands out to you in the way they play? I mean, they they have some skilled players. They have some physicality. So they have a pretty wide team, I would say. And uh you know, always good balance against this team. Uh, I think we always have tight games, so it’s going to be fun. Todd talked a little bit about the importance of game management again in that Boston game. What areas you guys want to improve on in that aspect? For sure. Yeah, I think uh just getting out of our zone and when we get down there and for they have no chance to to play against us. So just that like the puck management uh uh get the puck out and get the puck in in their zone. So I think uh just that going to be the key. Thanks. Todd, just looking at this road trip ahead, can you talk about the opportunity that’s in front of this group and how you guys are embracing it? Well, it’s it’s going to be a big challenge. The, you know, the travel, the buildings that we go to, uh, the teams that we’re going to play, everybody’s a little bit different, so we’ve got to prepare each and every night. But, um, I think the opportunity that lies in front of us is is twofold. One, to have a a successful trip and build, um, and then two, to find our game and continue to build on it. And um you know I I’m looking forward to it. Uh starts here tonight against a real good uh team, very active group of defenseman that can certainly make you pay. You It’s kind of a good point. T you brought up the last couple of days there is so much parody in the league now too and these ranks are almost cookie cutter in a way too. Is there is the home ice advantage kind of a lesser thing now on the NHL a little bit? Um overall big picture I think so. Um, you know, I think some of that went away with a lot of the the fighting too and the intimidation. Uh, the size of the ranks are all similar now. The atmospheres are generally the same. Uh, some teams start out, you know, a little quicker on home ice than others, but um, teams are so closely bunched that um, you know, the the the runaway teams on home ice, but Colorado may be doing it, but other than that, uh, I don’t think there’s a a big swing one way or the other. Any other specifics from that Boston game that you’re hoping this group can build on? You talk about building. Well, the start I thought we really played well um especially early in the game. Did a lot of things that we needed to do against that team. Uh learned from our game in Boston. Um you know, and then look for maintenance after that. Um if we get the start we we’d like, can we maintain it and and understand how momentum swings um and and deal with that? So, um that’ll be important. It’s kind of funny you mentioned that fight. So many people are talking about it the last few days. I mean do you miss that part of the game a little bit Todd just frankly I mean do you kind of miss a little Well, it’s always been part of the game. I I think there were times where it got stupid. Okay. Quite frankly it there there’s a need for it and all that type of stuff, but the the actual stage part of it I’m not a fan of that. I never was a fan of that. um you know it’s entertaining I guess for people but um you know the the overall you know policing of the game uh I think it’s important. When did you see it evolve? I mean going I mean to the to the point now where such primarily all skill basically. Um good question. I I think of when I started in uh in the league here with Detroit that was 05. There was still a significant uh you know number of those those types of people. Proby and coach were here for a lot of good years. Um Jody Shelley, Columbus Blue Jacket in in San Jose like they every team had two to three of those types of of players. Um they’re still in the league. U but they are really good players as well. Moiders one career point from 200. the offense that he’s provided on the back end for you guys. How beneficial has that been for for him and for the group? Real beneficial. There’s an uptick in it lately. Um, you know, especially power play-wise, he’s he’s a lot more willing to feed shots through to the net w with some traffic there where before it was more about uh play making and and that type of stuff. So, as our power play uh got its act together, if you will, um we have more of that and Mo’s a big part of it. Is that just confidence on his part or just Yeah, a little bit of, you know, game es and flows a little bit. Um, you know, but he’s right up there with some of the uh the high-end offensive offensive guys. Um, I still think his primary responsibility though is defending. That’s what he does best. And um, you know, so if he can add add the offensive element to it, great. Any lineup changes tonight? Uh, we’ll see after warm-up. Again, we’re like every other team, bumps, bruises. How about Gibby or Talabs tonight? Thanks, Todd.

Elmer Soderblom and Todd McLellan speak with the media following Detroit’s morning skate in Columbus on Thursday December 4, 2025.