Detroit Red Wings: Where does forward Elmer Söderblom factor in?
The Detroit Red Wings are getting ready for the 2023-24 season, and that will require their forward core to make some tough decisions. One of the players that will need to find a home in the 2023-24 Red Wings forward core is Elmer Söderblom.
The 6-foot-8, 246-pound winger debuted for the Detroit Red Wings in 2022-23 but was relegated back to the minors. He will try to lock down a role this upcoming season, but could he have some obstacles in the way?
In his debut with the Red Wings, Söderblom played in 21 games, scoring five goals and tallied three assists for eight total points. He had an injury and ended up having to go back to the Grand Rapids Griffins at the AHL level to get back on track, and ultimately he ended up being relegated there, as was mentioned, staying in Grand Rapids for a chunk of 2022-23.
He played in 20 games for the Griffins, where he scored five goals and added three assists for eight total points, oddly enough, the same output as his time with the Red Wings at the NHL level, but with one less game played.
Detroit Red Wings need to give forward Elmer Söderblom a chance.
While the Red Wings may not have everything figured out for their 2023-24 roster, training camp will bring about some battles. There will be some clawing and scratching for positions in the team’s forward core for this season.
They also expect players like Joe Veleno to have a big year, and Michael Rasmussen needs to bounce back and regain his footing. There could be a new look to the forward core with additions like Daniel Sprong, who could be real fun, and the trade that brought in Alex DeBrincat.
But, Söderblom deserves his shot with the Red Wings in 2023-24. Even if he does not break camp with the team, he deserves to end up logging some time with Detroit. He’s been working on his development and trying to make some strides with Grand Rapids.
While the injury set him back, he is healthy and looking to return to the lineup and play a bigger role for the Red Wings if he can find his footing as an NHL forward. The tools are there; he’s got the massive and enticing large frame that could bode well as a bottom-six forward with some size to be disruptive.
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Not to mention, Söderblom has quite good hands with a good feel for the puck on his stick, which is not as common amongst big-bodied players. But, for the Red Wings, Söderblom has proved himself and taken plenty of strides. The Red Wings just need to find a way to get him involved in the forward core in 2023-24.