Red Wings Lock Up Soderblom For Two Years

The Detroit Red Wings didn’t waste any time in getting all of the club’s restricted free agents under contract. The final piece of that puzzle came to completion on Wednesday when hulking Swedish winger Elmer Soderblom agreed to terms on a two-year contract.

The pact will pay the 6-foot-8 Soderblom an AAV of $1.125 million.

Fellow RFAs Jonatan Berggren and Albert Johansson were previously coming to terms on new contracts.

A late-season recall from the AHL Grand Rapids, Soderblom was proving to be an effective presence for the Red Wings until an injury would scuttle his season.

Elmer Soderblom with a casual backhand tying the game for the @DetroitRedWings… not a big deal. 😲 pic.twitter.com/aYqMYx5xci

— NHL (@NHL) October 8, 2022

The fact that he was able to establish himself as an NHLer is something Soderblom is planning to build upon during his offseason program to get ready for the 2025-26 campaign.

“Just gonna take with me everything I’ve learned,” Soderblom said. “It feels like I’ve improved a lot this year, and just trying to get better at some areas that I need to improve, and be an even better player next year, and just be more ready.

“So, yeah, overall, I’m happy with my year.”

He wound up with 4-7-11 numbers in 26 games. Over just 47 career NHL contests, Soderblom has already potted nine goals.

“I’m happy with my offensive play,” Soderblom said. “I feel confident in the O-zone and just want to keep building on that.”

Red Wings Soderblom Learning To Use Size As Asset

One of the facets of his game that the Red Wings were hoping Soderblom would develop during his tenure with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins was learning how to make his massive frame a significant asset.

The team’s brass feels that he’s accomplished this feat.

“There’s big players in the NHL,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “Some don’t have the hands, or the instincts, and size just becomes one-dimensional.

“I think Elmer has the other tools to go with it. Once he learns to use it effectively and to leverage it against defensive players while he’s looking for people to make plays to or timing, and using it and getting to the net, it can be a factor.

“He grew up on a different sheet of ice, game’s played a little bit differently. He’s had enough time to come over and adapt, and learn to react at the American League level.”

Elmer Soderblom generates quite a lot of scoring chances per 60 minutes, but that's not the only reason he's a future TOP 6 player in our eyes. There is an excellent balance in his game: he has no weaknesses in defense, offense, passes, or vision. The universal forward of the new… https://t.co/OqZuUAoiTH pic.twitter.com/58vQiYrBdA

— Benchrates (@benchrates) July 2, 2025

Soderblom believes that another factor is turning him into an NHLer. It’s learning how to be a consistent, reliable presence in the lineup.

“I think just the everyday, like the way you play every day, you have to find a way to play for 82 games,” Soderblom explained. “You have to find a way to be consistent.

“I think a lot of the veteran guys know how to do that. I mean, they bring something to the table every night, so I think just find a way to be consistent. It’s going to be huge for me, and I think that’s a step in the right direction.”