Notebook: Returns not imminent, but Vrána and Stecher skate on Thursday

This season, the Detroit Red Wings have spent their fair share of time in the offensive zone, limiting scoring opportunities for opponents. But as of late, puck management hasn't been near as crisp, and teams are taking advantage.
Against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night, the Red Wings ceded eight goals, the most this season, in an 8-5 loss at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit has allowed 17 goals over the past three games, which includes a pair of empty-netters.

According to coach Jeff Blashill, the Wings must get back to limiting opponents' chances off the rush if they hope to improve defensively.
"That's a huge part of it. Probably the two areas, rush chances against and your d-zone coverage," Blashill said on Thursday. "The biggest factor in the rush chances against, for us certainly last night, but probably through the course of the season is managing the puck, not making whole plays, living another day when you don't have a play to make.
"I thought we had done a much better job, over the last two weeks of seeing plays and making them, and not igniting peoples' rush," Blashill said. "What happens when you turn the puck over, you ignite the other team's rush. And last night, we ignited the rush way too often."

Michael Rasmussen is confident that Detroit's recent defensive lapses are fixable.
"It's just giving up some rush chances and not taking care of the puck, especially at the offensive blue-line," Rasmussen said. "I think once we get back there and kind of get in our d-zone, we're doing an okay job.
"I think it's just more so not spending too much time there, not giving them, the other team, rush chances is the biggest thing. We just got to take care of the puck and not play as much in our own end, especially off the rush."

Rasmussen focusing on power play role

Rasmussen wants every chance to contribute to the club's power-play unit.
At 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, Rasmussen knows his size can create chaos for opposing netminders. He knows he can initiate scoring chances. He's also aware that when he's part of the man advantage, there's added pressure to produce.
"I think you got to play good hockey to stay in the league and to stay a good player. I definitely feel pressure being on the power play," Rasmussen said. "I want to make something happen for the team, and want that job. I think everyone in the room can kind of say the same thing when they get on the power play or any role like that."

This season, the 22-year-old has rotated in and out of the power play unit, with a focus on establishing a difference-making net-front presence.
"I've played power play pretty much my whole career, so if that's somewhere I can help and try to spark our second unit, then I'll try my best to do that," Rasmussen said. "Biggest challenge is probably establishing zone time and puck possession. I think we got to do a better job at that. I think once we're settled, we can get chances and shoot the puck, and create some chaos."

Blashill updates statuses for Vrána, Stecher and Greiss

Three Wings are inching closer to their respective returns.
Jakub Vrána, who has been cleared to shoot the puck, was skating with a non-contact jersey on Thursday. The Wings are hoping for a late-February return for the 25-year-old winger, who has yet to make his 2021-22 season debut after suffering a shoulder injury during Training Camp in Traverse City.

"He's making progress. The next step is to come out and be part of the team and the team skate, both him and Stech," Blashill said. "I think there's a mental side of that, that is extremely important for those guys. It's lonely when you're just doing stuff on your own, and boring and frustrating."
Defenseman Troy Stecher, who underwent wrist surgery on Nov. 4, also skated on Thursday.
"For them to both join practice, that's a big boost for them," Blashill said. "Gives them energy in their rehab, and I think that's important."
Netminder Thomas Greiss was a spectator for Thursday's practice, returning to the team for the first time since he entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol on Jan 17.
Blashill said he doesn't anticipate Greiss playing either game of the Wings' back-to-back set this weekend.