The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have acquired a 2026 third round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Elmer Soderblom. Soderblom, selected 159th in the 2019 NHL Draft, struggled to earn a consistent spot on the Red Wings this season. In 39 games with Detroit, Rasmussen has two goals and three points.
Detroit receives San Jose's 2026 third round pick from Pittsburgh in exchange.
Soderblom receives fresh start with Pittsburgh
Soderblom, while still an effective NHLer, struggled to carve out a consistent role with the Red Wings. More often than not, he spent his time on the fourth line, averaging around 10:41 minutes per game alongside Michael Rasmussen and J.T. Compher. His last point came during Christmas day, when he scored a goal in a game against the Washington Capitals.
In return, Pittsburgh receives a young, cost-controlled forward capable of playing bottom-six minutes. There's a chance he evolves into a more effective player with increased ice time with the Penguins, but, at 24 years of age, he's shown a lot of what he can do at the NHL level.
Yzerman secures assets for cheap
Turning a sixth round pick into a third round pick is excellent asset management. To do so with a player with just three points on the season is another thing entirely. In 86 career games with the Red Wings, the towering forward managed just 22 points. It's hard to imagine he would have been able to secure a long-term role with the Red Wings moving forward while managing just three points on the season.
This is the second of Steve Yzerman's trade deadline moves thus far. Late last night, Yzerman made a trade for David Perron of the Ottawa Senators, reuniting the veteran with his old team. It remains to be seen whether or not the Red Wings will make further moves, though.