Penguins Acquire Forward Elmer Soderblom from the Red Wings for a 2026 Third-Round Pick
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward Elmer Soderblom from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick originally belonging to San Jose. The trade was announced by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas. Elmer Soderblom arrives under contract through the 2026-27 season with an average annual value of $1. 125 million.
Who is Elmer Soderblom?
Elmer Soderblom is a 6-foot-8, 252-pound forward who has split time between the NHL and the AHL over the past several seasons. This season he has appeared in 39 NHL games, recording two goals and one assist for three points. Across his NHL career he has played in 86 regular-season games, collecting 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists).
In the American Hockey League, Soderblom has skated in 119 career games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, notching 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points. Before coming to North America he played parts of three seasons with Frolunda in Sweden’s top professional league, tallying 38 points (24 goals, 14 assists) in 90 regular-season games. Internationally, he represented his country at the 2021 World Junior Championship and at the 2019 World Under-18 Championship, where he won a gold medal. He was selected by Detroit in the sixth round, 159th overall, of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Elmer Soderblom: size, contract and recent NHL performance
Soderblom’s size is a defining attribute: listed at 6-foot-8 and 252 pounds, he is among the largest forwards in the league. He is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $1. 125 million, giving Pittsburgh contractual control of a young, cost-contained player for multiple seasons. Recent NHL usage has been limited to 39 games this season, yielding modest offensive totals, while his AHL track record shows more sustained production over a larger sample.
Trade details and what the move means for the Penguins
The Penguins surrendered a 2026 third-round pick originally belonging to San Jose to acquire Soderblom. The transaction brings a young, big-bodied forward onto the roster who carries NHL experience and additional professional minutes at the AHL level. The acquisition adds depth and a different physical profile to the forward group while leaving the team with a controlled contract for the next two seasons.
How the organization deploys Soderblom — whether in a depth role, on the wing in limited minutes, or as a developmental piece — will determine the short-term impact of the move. Observers have noted the combination of size and youth as the core elements behind the acquisition, while Soderblom’s mixed production at the NHL level to date suggests the move is both a present depth add and a bet on longer-term upside.
What to watch next
- How Pittsburgh integrates Soderblom into its forward group and what role he is assigned.
- Whether increased opportunity produces higher offensive contributions than his current NHL totals.
- How the team balances short-term roster needs with the long-term control provided by Soderblom’s contract.
Recent updates indicate this trade reshapes a portion of Pittsburgh’s depth chart; additional roster moves or lineup choices could follow as the team evaluates how best to use Soderblom’s size and professional experience. Details and usage plans may evolve.
