Soderblom Coming up Big For Red Wings

By coming up, Elmer Soderblom was making the Detroit Red Wings bigger. And since coming up from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Soderblom has without a doubt been coming up big for the Red Wings.

If he keeps up his current level of play once the team is returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, there’s no way Soderblom will be seeing any more playing time in the AHL.

“I think it speaks to the organizational depth right now to have those kids come up and find a way to contribute,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “(Assistant coach) Trent Yawney and I don’t have any past experience, everything’s brand new for us. We just play them and see what we get out of them.

“They’ve responded. They’ve made good on their end of the bargain when they come up and play hard and they keep themselves in the lineup.”

Soderblom Delivering The Goods For Red Wings

In Soderblom’s case, he’s definitely delivering the goods. The 6-foot-8, 246-pound Swedish left-winger has 2-3-5 totals in nine games since his recall. That includes a five-game point streak, four games of which were played on the road.

“He looks like he belongs more and more every night,” McLellan said. “The size, the reach, but then the silkiness of his hands, the ability to make some plays. I have a lot of confidence in putting him on the ice right now. I’m not afraid or trying to hide him, or anything like that.”

There was always going to be intrigue in Soderblom’s case. The raw materials that he possesses alone kept the what if question on the forefront of people’s minds.

As the old saying goes, you can’t coach big. And you certainly can’t coach someone to play like they’re 6-foot-8.

Elmer Soderblom with a MASSIVE hit sends Montour flying.#LGRW #RedWings pic.twitter.com/RtPUQDCkjp

— The Grind Line Podcast™ (@GrindLinePod) February 5, 2025

What if Soderblom would master the art of using his size to his advantage? The possibilities seemed endless.

Suddenly, those possibilities also feel within reach for the hulking Swede. He’s using his big body to protect the puck when he has it and to separate opponents from it when he wants it.

“Of course it’s always fun to produce, but I’m just trying to play my game and contribute to the team as much as I can with my size and my game play,” Soderblom said. “So yeah, it feels good playing with Ras.”

Detroit Tougher To Play Against

Lining up Soderblom and 6-foot-6 Michael Rasmussen on the same line is proving to be an imposing presence for opponents. Clearly, it’s been a boon for Rasmussen, who’s been playing his best hockey of the season since his teaming with Soderblom.

When they’re on the ice, the Red Wings become something they’ve rarely been in recent years – hard to play against.

“Yeah, two big guys,” Soderblom said. “So we can, I think we can be really tough to play against.

5 points in 5 games for Elmer Soderblom!!

We’ve been saying it all year in Grand Rapids, his game has improved massively! The physical play, his play on and off the puck, everything has improved!

It’s time for us to accept…he’s not coming back to GR is he…🥹#LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/KqnlBzUUYq

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) February 5, 2025

“In Fish (linemate Christian Fischer) being heavy and both of us have long reach and long sticks, we can get a lot of pucks and knock them off their sticks. So it feels like when we were playing our best game, I think we were tough to play against.”

More recently, McLellan has tried the high-end skill of Patrick Kane alongside Rasmussen and Soderblom to offer the unit another type of punch.

The coach likes the sponge-like qualities he’s seen in Soderblom since his arrival in Detroit.

“He’s one of many that just comes in and wants to learn,” McLellan said. “He’s asking questions, he wants to get better and he works hard.”