What’s new, Elmer Söderblom? Detroit Red Wings prospect update

Sometimes it feels like just yesterday, while other times it feels like events happened forever ago. 

Attending my first and only red carpet for the Detroit Red Wings opening night, Elmer Söderblom anxiously flipped his hair back as he went from person to person signing items for his fans. Always a kind individual, Söderblom has given as much time to his fans as any hockey player I’ve seen. 

Even after his quick rise to the Detroit Red Wings opening night lineup in the 2022-23 season and popularity amongst fans, Söderblom could have become disgruntled or felt bad for himself. Instead, he’s put his head down and worked.

Fighting back from a broken foot couldn’t have been easy. I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impacts of a broken foot on someone smaller than the mighty giant (6’8”) so I can only imagine the toll it must have taken (and might continue to take as sometimes the injury never fully heals and continues to cause havoc throughout the rest of a person’s life).

There were times that I questioned if we would see Lord Elmer back in the Winged Wheel. After Sunday’s game, to the dismay or counterpoints of naysayers, I think he will be. 

Elmer Söderblom is finding his way, seeking to steal a spot with the Detroit Red Wings sooner rather than later

I’ll be the first to admit my surprise when I noted the top point-getters for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate that feeds the Detroit Red Wings. Specifically, Söderblom is so far down the list of scorers. In some ways, I’m disappointed the scoresheet doesn’t reflect the hard work and dedication Söderblom has put into this season. They should reflect on him better than they do.

At the time, Söderblom skated in 15 games, scoring no goals and assisting on two goals with a +1 plus/minus rating. The posting was as of November 15, 2024, so less than a week and a half later, he’s played two more games. In those two games, he’s added three more assists and earned a +4 rating. Not too shabby for the big man.

In his appearance Sunday’, Söderblom showed his teeth—albeit not the brute force that some people might hope for, but he showed some semblance of bite. I find it quite amusing the lack of effort Söderblom needs to use to send guys flying. As people so kindly pointed out he wasn’t really fighting, but I think that was more so after he’d bat a hand at a guy, they rethought their decision and stepped back. Söderblom truly doesn’t understand how big or strong he is (arguably with room to improve in the strength category) and opponents quickly shift gears when they find out.

Aggression and physicality don’t come naturally to Söderblom, just not his things.

I’ve seen countless comparisons of Söderblom to Michael Rasmussen. It’s fair, both are big bodies who can play a similar style of game. The key difference is that Söderblom doesn’t play that style naturally. Possibly not even a will or want issue, it’s just not something that interests him or he gravitates to subconsciously. He’s much more inclined to deke through a bunch of guys than bodychecking them. 

The most common occurrence I see Söderblom use his body for is shielding the puck from the opposition, but I have seen an uptick in Söderblom finishing checks along the boards. This situation leads to the opposition getting extremely angry because, to be frank, he hits hard. It’s not intentional on Söderblom’s part and I really don’t think he’s going full out in those checks. He just uses the same amount of energy as anyone else, he’s just so much bigger that the output is ridiculous.

There isn’t anything wrong with Söderblom’s tendencies or preferred style of play. To some people, he might seem soft, but that’s not the case. Regardless of how any fan wants him to play, who Söderblom is as a player is great and will only get better. 

The problem stems from assumptions about who Söderblom is or how he has to play to be successful in the National Hockey League (NHL). No matter the number of times or ways someone tries, a square peg won’t fit into a round hole.

Head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Dan Watson, and the rest of his coaching staff have pulled the most consistent physical play out of Söderblom that I’ve seen in his relatively young career. It’s possible that Söderblom develops even further with his physical game, but it’s just as likely it’s the plateau. Even if it is, Söderblom is doing the right things to find consistency in his game.

Letting Söderblom regain confidence and build strength can help Söderblom take his place back in the Detroit Red Wings lineup. I reckon he's not too far away from getting a crack at the Detroit Red Wings lineup.

The biggest thing is that once Söderblom is ready (sooner rather than later), there are very few individuals—even in the NHL—who can stop the big man when he’s playing his game.