The Detroit Red Wings have had a big task of juggling their roster around during the 2022-23 season. The moves continue to mount as the team juggles players between the NHL level and Grand Rapids with their AHL affiliate.
One of the players who has been moved around in 2022-23 is Elmer Söderblom, who the Detroit Red Wings recently assigned back to the Grand Rapids Griffins. It was another move where the Red Wings are juggling roster spots.
With the Jakub Vrána saga continuing to take turns, Tyler Bertuzzi returning to the lineup, and Robby Fabbri returning on the ice, the Red Wings roster has undergone some changes. Söderblom had an injury earlier in the season but was recalled on an emergency loan basis.
Söderblom has room to improve and keep developing, and sending him down offers him the opportunity to work on things a bit further. The move to send him back down keeps him from being a healthy scratch with the Red Wings at the NHL level.
Detroit Red Wings forward Elmer Söderblom sent down to benefit development.
Söderblom’s still a part of the Red Wings’ plans moving forward, so this demotion may not be as negative as it seems. He will get the chance to play more down with the Griffins, which could allow him to focus on his development.
During his other stint in the AHL, he may not have logged the most time with the Griffins, but he was recalled quickly with an injury situation. He had three games under his belt with the Griffins without registering a point.
During his time in a winged wheel uniform, Söderblom logged 21 games where he has five goals and three assists for eight total points. He was averaging just a tick over 12 minutes of ice time in a Red Wings uniform, again speaking to Grand Rapids being a better spot for him for the time being.
Söderblom being with the Griffins should be good in the long run. Even if it’s another short stint, he’s going to get the chance to focus on his development which is what is important at the moment.
It’s not like the Red Wings are relying on Söderblom to be some breakthrough prospect. But with his massive frame and puck-handling skills, there’s reason to believe he could have a niche role with the team down the line.
The Red Wings sending down Söderblom is not the worst thing in the world. It should be better for him in the long term.