Red Wings’ Elmer Soderblom to miss rest of season

McLellan didn’t reveal what exactly is plaguing the 6-foot-8 winger.

Soderblom had been noticeably absent from the Red Wings’ lineup, missing both contests in the team’s recent road trip through Florida. Detroit lost to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers last Thursday before beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime on Friday.

The big Swede had been fighting a nagging injury for the past few weeks, forcing him to miss a couple of games. Outside of being a healthy scratch a few times, Soderblom’s been a consistent presence since he was called up to Detroit in mid-January. In 26 games, the 23-year-old scored four goals and seven assists for 11 points.

Soderblom burst onto the scene by making the opening night roster in October 2022. However, it was quickly realized the rookie needed some time to grow, as he was sent down to the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, after 21 games with Detroit.

Soderblom spent the entire 2023-24 campaign with the Griffins, and his play in the AHL this season earned him a spot back with the big club. In 38 games in Grand Rapis in 2024-25, the Gothenburg native scored five goals and 12 assists for 17 points.

It’s unclear if he will be sent back down to the Griffins in the upcoming Calder Cup Playoffs.

In 47 NHL games, Soderblom has scored nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points.

The Red Wings (37-35-7) were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday night. It marks the ninth straight season the Original Six franchise has missed the postseason.