Notes: Glendening, Mantha miss practice but expected to play in Buffalo

DETROIT -- It was a smaller but happy group that took to the ice for practice at the BELFOR Training Center Wednesday.
The Detroit Red Wings were pleased after winning three of four games on the road trip.

However, only nine forwards were available to practice as Thomas Vanek, Anthony Mantha, Luke Glendening and Michael Rasmussen did not skate.

Wings coach Jeff Blashill expects Glendening and Mantha to play in Buffalo Thursday.
"I anticipate both of them to be maintenance days," Blashill said. "They both got little issues. I think they're both going to be ready to play tomorrow. I won't know that 100 percent until tomorrow. Glendening, certainly I expect to play. He's had a number of nagging injuries that he plays through. We just felt it was best for him to have a rest. Mantha blocked a shot the other day. He's got some swelling, so he'll hopefully be able to feel fine in the skate tomorrow and be able to play."
Things aren't quite as positive for Vanek and Rasmussen.
"Ras potentially could be out for the rest of the year, just because we're running out of time," Blashill said. "Nothing long-term effect, just the reality of the situation. Vanny skated today, swelling was down. Potential to get a couple games in, but will not play in this game or Friday."
There was also some news on Jacob de la Rose, who left the March 19 game against the New York Rangers after two periods due to an accelerated heartbeat.
"de la Rose saw a specialist this morning," Blashill said. "There's a procedure that is suggested that would ultimately fix his issue. If that procedure is done, that would take him out for the rest of the year, meaning he would have to be on blood thinners for a bit and couldn't play contact sports for a bit but then would be totally fine for next year.
"I think he's learning towards having it done, which would mean he'd be out for the season. Would expect a full recovery and ready to play next year."
Because of the paucity of forwards, Blashill said the Wings will call up Martin Frk from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.
"(Frk) will join us at the plane. If Mantha or Glenny can't play, then Marty Frk will go in," Blashill said. "If both can play, then we will terminate the call-up and Marty will be sent back down."
EHN'S GOALS: When Christoffer Ehn came into training camp, he originally thought he was most likely slated for Grand Rapids after playing back in his native Sweden since he was drafted in the fourth round, 106th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Ehn started the season with the Wings, then was sent to Grand Rapids, and then recalled due to injuries.
Ehn, who turns 23 on April 5, has played in 54 games this season, recording three goals, six assists and is minus-1.
In the Wings' 3-2 victory in San Jose Monday night, it was Ehn's shorthanded goal that proved to be the game-winner.

"It's always fun to be able to get a goal," Ehn said. "I don't try to put too much weight on it. Of course, if I can, I'm going to try to score but it's not my main focus. But it's fun, I think we played really well on this trip, the last three games have been really good. It's fun to win a couple games."
For the most part, Ehn is happy with what he's accomplished in his rookie campaign.
"I think it's become better over the season," Ehn said. "You start to settle in a little bit and it doesn't feel as fast as it did the first couple of weeks or months here. It sure feels a little bit better and you sure get confidence from being up here and showing that you are able to play at this level. It's just about finding consistency, I think, to have the same edge every game. Like, I'm still trying to figure out how to create more offense. But at the same time, you got to do a great job defensively, especially in the role that I am, but trying to figure out ways to create more offense for sure."
Blashill said that every player can create offense, even if their role is primarily a defensive one.
"Now certainly if you're not on the power play, it's hard to point to a huge level, there's no question about that," Blashill said. "But other than that, I think the challenge with Christoffer is to recognize that there's lots of offense in his game and to not be too safe. Again, game management, I think there's opportunities. I think he's gotten way better at it. I see him making more and more offensive plays, I see him doing a good job with those things. I thought he made a couple over the course of the last couple games that were real good so I see that part of it building.
"Some of it's confidence, some of it's not being afraid to make a mistake, which some guys that are real good defensively, they just think from that D side of the puck, that's what gets them in the league and then slowly but surely, they get a little more offensive."
To that end, Ehn said he has already started thinking about the things he wants to work on during the offseason to be an even better player.
"For sure my shot," Ehn said. "But overall, just keep working on my strength. I know it's important for me, the skating and battling and everything and being able to come out on top in battles. I'm mostly going to keep working how I've been doing the last couple summers. But I'm going to put some more effort into my shot 'cause stuff happens so quickly, so the faster you can get it off, the bigger chance that you cause trouble for the goalie. Just trying to get better at basically everything."
One thing that might help Ehn in those battles is gaining some weight on his 6-foot-3 frame.
However, Ehn said even though he's listed at 181, he's actually around 198 pounds now.
"I'm not light, but I just need to put on the right amount so it doesn't slow myself down," Ehn said. "I got to be able to still use my speed and everything. I kind of know where I'm aiming, just a couple pounds more would help for sure."
When you're that young and active, your high metabolism sometimes prevents you from putting any weight on but Ehn said it's been a process.
"Until maybe last year, I was still I would say kind of lean," Ehn said. "But it takes time to build up a frame. You got to make sure too that it's good weight. It can't be just weight, it's got to be muscle and that takes time to build. I'm happy about the progress. Just got to keep going."