Soderberg signed with the Blackhawks prior to the start of the season to provide some centre depth after losing Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach. It took the veteran a while to join the team but is set to replace Lucas Wallmark for his debut on Sunday. He had 17 goals and 18 assists (35 points) in 70 games with the Coyotes a season ago.
Chicago brings in a seven-year veteran to help fill some gaps that were created by injuries this week. Alex Nylander could miss all of the 2021 season after undergoing knee surgery and Kirby Dach was injured in Team Canada's exhibition game before the World Juniors and could miss some time. Soderberg will likely fill a spot in the bottom-6 with Dylan Strome moving up to take Dach's spot with Patrick Kane. Soderberg had 35 points (17G / 18A) in 70 games with the Coyotes a season ago.
Soderberg was hurt late in Friday's game and will not be available on Saturday. Following the trade of Eric Comrie (to Detroit) the Coyotes had an open roster spot to call-up Michael Chaput to replace Soderberg in the lineup vs. San Jose.
Soderberg, who has one-year left at $4.75M AAV, set a new career-high with 23 goals last season while adding 26 assists (49 points) in 82 games with Colorado. Heading to Arizona means that he will likely remain in a second-line centre role behind Derek Stepan and shutdown centre Brad Richardson.
Soderberg is fighting an illness so his status for Tuesday’s game in Chicago is in doubt. If Soderberg can’t play then Dominic Toninato will step in for Colorado’s third line centre.
Soderberg is with his wife as they expect the birth of their child so he will not play in either of Colorado’s two games in Sweden. With Soderberg out, Colin Wilson (undisclosed) will draw back into the Avalanche lineup.
After a breakout 2015-16 season, Soderberg has struggled mightily in 2016-17. The 31-year-old has scored just five goals with six assists (11 points) in 59 games and tonight he will sit for the second straight game.
Colorado acquired Soderberg’s rights from the Bruins on Thursday and got the pending unrestricted free agent under contract prior to this evening’s draft. Soderberg had 13 goals and 31 assists (44 points) in 82 games with Boston a season ago. His new deal hints that the Avalanche are likely to ship Ryan O’Reilly out of town.
Soderberg, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, had his rights traded to Colorado on Thursday. The Avalanche did not waste any time by signing the 29-year-old forward to a five-year deal.
Head coach Claude Julien completely shook up the Bruins lines this morning, so there is no word on where Soderberg will slot into the lineup tonight.
Soderberg missed Thursday's game because of the birth of his daughter, but he will be back in this afternoon vs. the Flyers .
Soderberg will miss tonight's contest because of the birth of his child. Soderberg has a four-game point streak (3G / 2A) and a total of 46 points (16G / 30A) in 68 games this season.