In the middle of their game tonight, the Boston Bruins announced that Victor Söderström has been assigned to AHL Providence.
The defenseman has been with the big club since a call-up in early December, as a result of their numerous injuries on the back end. However, with Boston scooping up his former Arizona teammate, Vladislav Kolyachonok, off waivers last week, the right-handed Söderström is headed back down despite playing in the team’s last five games. Meanwhile, Kolyachonok is making his team debut, bringing a left shot, size, and stronger defensive play to the table.
Söderström, a former first round pick (11th overall), chose not to partake in the inaugural season of the Utah Mammoth, rather inking a two-year deal in Sweden. Even being on the rebuilding Coyotes in their twilight years, Söderström spent more time in the AHL, never breaking through at the highest level. His rights were traded to Chicago, and the defender promptly made a strong case to return to North America, after putting up 37 points in 49 games, even earning Swedish Defensemen of the Year honors.
Despite the success, Söderström chose not to sign with the Blackhawks, and his rights were flipped to Boston last summer. He was unable to make the team out of camp, clearing waivers, but played well with Providence, getting a look this month due to the team’s several injured blueliners. In a more limited deployment, Söderström had just one assist in eight games. As mentioned above, the acquisition of Kolyachonok bumped him out of the lineup, and the 24-year-old will provide a big boost for Providence, who are rolling with a 20-5-1 record.
Once thought to be among the very best defensemen in the 2019 draft, as a safe pick with top four upside, Söderström was selected ahead of players such as Cam York and Thomas Harley. As it has turned out, 2019’s first round was extremely hit or miss on defensemen. While such higher aspirations are now in the past, Söderström will make a case to remain in North America this season on an expiring deal, and if not, the Swede figures to have an opportunity to return home and be a star in his back pocket.