Detroit Red Wings

Video: Incredible Goal Shows Why Elmer Soderblom May Be in Detroit in 2022-23

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2022

Six-foot-eight forward Elmer Soderblom, a 2019 sixth-round pick, has blossomed into a potential NHL goal scorer

As a general rule, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman likes to see a prospect dominate in the AHL before arriving in the NHL. But Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond show there are exceptions to that rule. This video explains why Elmer Soderblom, 20, could be one of the next exceptions.

Make it 21 goals on the season! Elmer Söderblom does this all on his own #LGRW pic.twitter.com/q6EBDKwMli

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) March 15, 2022

He’s a 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward who can skate and score. He had 20 goals in the Swedish League this season. He’s a sixth-round pick (No. 159 in 2019) and his growth as a player has been dramatic. He had three goals in 28 games last season. Soderblom is ninth in the Swedish League in goal scoring and no player ahead of him on the scoring list is under the age of 25.

Later Round Gem

The Red Wings feel as if they might have found a later rounds gem. Yzerman hasn’t said what his plan is for Soderblom. But given the excitement level over the prospect, it seems plausible the Red Wings will give him a chance to make the team. It would be similar to Raymond’s situation last training camp. Raymond had to earn his place on the roster.

Soderblom won’t be the only Swede prospect attempting to earn his place. The Red Wings are expecting defenseman Simon Edvinsson to be ready to play next season.

Soderblom is more of a finesse player than a beastly performer. But his size will be a factor at the NHL level: his size and weight will make Detroit more difficult to play against. The Red Wings already have 6-foot-6 Michael Rasmussen who has taken steps this season to become a hard-to-play against third liner.

Rasmussen hasn’t been the scorer the Red Wings hoped he would be. But it’s possible Soderblom will become the player the team wanted Rasmussen to be. He boasts the shot and instincts to score at the NHL level.