Red Wings forward Elmer Soderblom is 24 now, and the 6’8,” 247-pound winger would need waivers to be sent down to the AHL at this point. I believe that Soderblom has a full-time role with the Red Wings, even if it’s a “bottom six” one, but Big Elmer told the Hockey News’s Michael Whitaker that #85 still has something to prove:
During the offseason, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman saw fit to extend Soderblom for another two seasons with a $1.125 million cap hit, and he will likely skate on the team’s fourth line to begin the season with Michael Rasmussen and newcomer Mason Appleton.
In what will be his second opportunity to cement his place in the lineup after making the team out of Training Camp, Soderblom is already envisioning not only remaining consistent in his performance but also using his notable stature to his advantage.
“I want to show that I can play good at this level and keep improving, and just become a better player. My goal is to keep being consistent and show what I can do,” he said. I’ve learned to be more consistent and use my size to my advantage and play with my size, and still use my hands and shot,” he continued. “I feel like I’ve found a good combination and found a way to be consistent.”
As far as knowing no player out of the nearly 1,400 men who have suited up for the Red Wings over the last 100 years has stood taller than he does, it’s not something that’s top of mind for Soderblom – but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think it’s an interesting reality.
“A couple times, it’s fun,” he said with a grin when asked if he’s ever considered his status as the tallest player in team history. “Not that I think too much of it, but it’s a fun fact.”
Continued; Soderblom is never going to be a Zdeno Chara-style crash-and-bang player, but he’s got tremendous reach, he’s maneuverable, and between his wingspan, his ever-improving puck skills and skating, and the simple fact that he can stick his butt out and block opposing forwards from getting anywhere near the puck on his stick…
We’re talking about a player who is still evolving and developing into a later-blooming contributor, and at the very worst, he’ll be a gigantic asset to the Wings’ third and fourth lines.
