Bruins Acquire Victor Soderstrom in Trade with Blackhawks
The Boston Bruins made a noteworthy move on Friday night by acquiring the rights of defenseman Victor Soderstrom from the Chicago Blackhawks. In exchange, Boston sent a 2025 seventh-round pick and prospect Ryan Mast to Chicago.
Soderstrom, who was drafted 11th overall by Arizona in the 2019 NHL Draft, has faced challenges establishing himself in the NHL, having played just 53 games across four seasons. His most significant contributions came during the 2022-23 season with Arizona, where he appeared in 30 games, recording nine assists and averaging 16:10 of ice time. However, Soderstrom’s recent success in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) is noteworthy; he excelled with Brynäs last season, achieving nine goals and 28 assists in 49 games, and was awarded the Börje Salming Trophy as the SHL’s top defenseman.
At 24, Soderstrom remains a restricted free agent and will need to sign a new contract with the Bruins. His acquisition addresses a pressing need for Boston on the right side of their defense roster, especially after trading Brandon Carlo to the Maple Leafs in March. Only Charlie McAvoy and Andrew Peeke currently fill the right-shot defenseman slots for the Bruins heading into the 2025-26 season, with Henri Jokiharju also a free agent.
Parting with a seventh-round pick and a prospect like Mast appears to be a worthwhile gamble for the Bruins as they seek a player who could potentially secure a third-pairing position upon arrival. Mast, a 22-year-old defenseman, was a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, contributing with five assists in 37 games for the Providence Bruins last season.
This strategic trade could bolster the Bruins’ defense as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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