Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan appears to have confirmed the status of towering Swedish forward Elmer Soderblom for the remainder of 2025.
The Detroit Red Wings re-called towering forward Elmer Soderblom from the Grands Rapids Griffins late last month, and he's remained in the lineup ever since.
I think it speaks to the organizational depth right now to have those kids come up and find a way to contribute. (Assistant coach) Trent Yawney and I don't have any past experience, everything's brand new for us. We just play them and see what we get out of them.
They've responded. They've made good on their end of the bargain when they come up and play hard and they keep themselves in the lineup.
McLellan stated that he feels Soderblom belongs in the NHL and that his own confidence in putting him on the ice in critical situations continues to rise.
He looks like he belongs more and more every night. The size, the reach, but then the silkiness of his hands, the ability to make some plays. I have a lot of confidence in putting him on the ice right now. I'm not afraid or trying to hide him, or anything like that.
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Elmer Soderblom has made his return to the NHL for the 1st time since 2023
When the Red Wings re-called Soderblom from the American Hockey League, it marked the 1st time that he returned to the NHL level since 2022-23.
He began that year having won a roster spot in training camp; he scored Detroit's 1st goal of the year as part of a 3-0 win over the divisional foe Montreal Canadiens, and it was also his 1st NHL goal.