DETROIT – Hotel life is getting tedious for Elmer Soderblom, who would love to get his own apartment in the area.
He just needs to play well enough to maintain a spot in the Detroit Red Wings lineup, giving the organization no reason to send him down to Grand Rapids.
“I got to earn a spot here, bring something to the team and just play my game and pay attention to the small details as well,” Soderblom said.
The 6-8 winger makes his NHL debut in tonight’s season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena (7 pm, Bally Sports Detroit).
Soderblom was the eighth player Detroit drafted in 2019, 159th overall in the sixth round, in Steve Yzerman’s first draft as the club’s general manager. He is the second player from that class, after Moritz Seider, to reach the NHL.
“The NHL has always been a dream,” Soderblom said. “Ever since I got drafted, I wanted to come here. Now that I’m finally here, I’m really honored and excited to be in the lineup.”
Soderblom impressed in the rookie tournament, training camp and preseason with his combination of size and skills. He has good hands and can make plays in tight spaces.
He will play tonight on what must be the biggest line in the league, with 6-6 center Michael Rasmussen and 6-3 wing Oskar Sundqvist.
“It’s a really heavy line,” Soderblom said. “We’re playing well in practices. Two really good players, hopefully we can be tough to play against.”
Coach Derek Lalonde said he likes the line’s size, communication and work ethic.
“There’s times that I think that line can possess the puck and kind of win the field position battle, if you will, and have some extended zone time,” Lalonde said. “They’ve shown that in practice. They’re very hard to play against.”
Said Sundqvist: “I’ve usually been the biggest guy (on a line). It’s a switch-around to be the smallest one.”
Sundqvist has been impressed by Soderblom.
“It feels like throughout the preseason his confidence is growing more and more,” Sundqvist said. “You can see that in practice, too, the way he’s holding onto pucks and making plays. Very exciting to see what he can bring. I think he’s going to do great out there.”
Yzerman gave Soderblom some advice after informing him he made the season-opening roster.
“He just told me I had a good training camp so far, earned (his way) in the lineup,” Soderblom said. “I’m just going to keep proving to them I can stick around here and earn a spot. I’m going to play my game and see how far it takes.
“Can’t take anything for granted, got to keep working here and be humble.”
Soderblom’s parents arrived from Sweden on Wednesday and will be at the game. Other family and friends will be watching from back home.
“I think it starts at 1 o’clock Swedish time, so maybe a little bit late, but hopefully they can watch it,” he said.
Soderblom hopes management will give him the green light to get his own place soon.
“Take it day by day and see how it goes,” he said. “Hopefully I can find a place to settle down.”
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