NOTEBOOK: "The Redwoods Line" forming identity, finding early success

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings radio play-by-play announcer Ken Kal calls them "The Redwoods Line." Hockeytown faithful on social media are dubbing them "The Detroit Skyline" and "The Big Three," just to name a few.

And as this season progresses, more nicknames will likely be bestowed on the Red Wings' new line of Elmer Soderblom, Michael Rasmussen and Oskar Sundqvist, who made history in a big way last week.
When the trio skated on the same line last Friday in Detroit's 3-0 season-opening win over the Montreal Canadiens, they became the largest line in NHL history with an average size of 6-foot-6, 230 pounds.
Soderblom, who is the tallest player in Red Wings history at 6-foot-8 and 246 pounds, said he enjoys playing alongside the 6-foot-6, 211-pound Rasmussen and the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Sundqvist.

"I haven't played with big guys like them before," said Soderblom, who was Detroit's 159th overall pick in 2019. "It's really fun to play with them. We play good together."
Through Detroit's first three games this season, the forwards have combined for eight points (3-5-8).
"We're trying to establish an identity of what we can be," Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said. "One is being a hard forechecking team, spending time in the O-zone and taking risk out of the game. They've done all that. I think that's why we've seen success."

Lalonde added that the Soderblom-Rasmussen-Sundqvist line has done more than just chip in on the scoresheet.
"They do things right," Lalonde said. "They get above and they're hard to play against. They give us some momentum when they can gain some zone time. That line has been a good sign for us."

Edvinsson embracing opportunity in Grand Rapids

After competing for a Red Wings roster spot throughout training camp and the preseason, defenseman prospect Simon Edvinsson was assigned to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins.
Rather than express disappointment, Edvinsson is embracing the opportunity to play significant minutes in his first season in North America with the Griffins.
"I want to bring my game to Detroit," Edvinsson said last Friday. "I feel that I can start and develop my game here. I don't want to be up there and survive. I want to be the best there."

The 19-year-old blueliner played for Frolunda HC's Swedish Hockey League team last season, tallying two goals and 17 assists in 44 games while finishing as an SHL Rookie of the Year finalist.
And Edvinsson, whose four points (1-3-4) through two games are currently the second-most on the Griffins, believes the AHL "is the best place" for him to be as he continues his development.
"It's not going to take one game," said Edvinsson, who was the Red Wings' sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. "It's going to take time. Right now, I'm here and want to win with this team."

Czarnik named AHL Player of the Week

Grand Rapids forward Austin Czarnik was named the AHL Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday.
Czarnik, a Washington Township, Mich., native, opened this season with a five-point (3-2-5) weekend for the Griffins, who split a two-game series against the San Diego Gulls at Van Andel Arena.

The 29-year-old is the first Grand Rapids forward to win the honor since Matt Lorito on Nov. 20, 2016.