Elmer Soderblom is quickly learning how to use his 6-foot-8, 249-pound frame to screen the goaltender, protect the puck and be hard to play against.
If he can combine that enormous size with nifty hands, like he showed last season in Sweden, he could be one of the most unique players in the NHL one day soon for the Detroit Red Wings.
Soderblom, 21, has stood out during the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City as he prepares for his first season in North America, likely with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.
“Three years ago, I was not really that smooth and comfortable with my body and big size,” Soderblom said. “I think I’m still working on it, using my size, and I think it’s going better and better.
“I think my strength is attack mindset and being around the net and to be tough to play against, protect the puck and use my big frame. I don’t know if I model my game after a specific player. I want to be unique in my own way.”
The 2019 sixth-round pick (159th overall) certainly is unique. Former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zdeno Chara, at 6-9, is the only player in NHL history taller than Soderblom. Among active players, Vancouver defenseman Tyler Myers and Ottawa goaltending prospect Mads Sogaard are 6-8 as well.
Ben Simon, who is coaching the Red Wings prospects and will be Soderblom’s coach in Grand Rapids, noted the strides he has made since his first and only appearance in North America at development camp three years ago.
“His skating has gotten so much better,” Simon said. “Just growing into his body he’s become a lot stronger. You don’t teach size. So, when you’ve got that body and that strength on your skates, and he protects the puck so well, if he can play below the tops of the circles and take pucks to the net and make a living at the net front, he’s going to be exciting for Wings fans to watch.
“It’ll be curious to see how that projection happens and how that development continues and what kind of path he goes down. I’m sure Detroit’s extremely happy with where he’s at right now.”
Soderblom made a couple of nice plays in Saturday’s 5-4 loss to Dallas. He scored a goal by driving to the net and converting a pass from 2022 fourth-round pick Amadeus Lombardi. Soderblom also made a terrific stretch pass to spring Cross Hanas free for a breakaway goal.
Simon said Soderblom is one of the players who “really stands out,” not only due to his size, but also his skills.
“He’s moving his feet extremely well,” Simon said. “He’s going to have an interesting time in the pro game in terms of moving the puck quicker. You’ve got a little less time, less space to move around. That could be beneficial to him, but I also think it’s going to be a little bit of an acclimation period where he has to learn to use that to his benefit.”
Simon said it’s just a matter of Soderblom “getting some traction” in North America.
“From what I saw last of him to where he is now, great strides, great progression,” Simon said.
Soderblom’s confidence grew last season when he tallied 21 goals and 33 points in 52 games for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League.
“(The Red Wings) told me they want to see what I did in Frolunda, keep playing my game and maybe add a little more physicality and play with my size even more,” Soderblom said. “I think that’s what I have to do to be able to take a spot.”
He focused on improving his skating this summer.
“You got to do everything a little quicker and it’s a little more physical I think,” Soderblom said of playing in North America. “You’ve got to be able to take a hit and give a hit. Just be quick in your mind and (with) your feet and hands.”
More: Steve Yzerman excited about Elmer Soderblom’s progression
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September 19, 2022 at 03:31AM
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Big Elmer Soderblom will be ‘exciting for Red Wings fans to watch’ - MLive.com
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