By: Jack Studley | Follow me on Twitter/X @jackstudley13
On June 13, 2025, the Boston Bruins made their first trade of this long offseason. The Bruins packaged prospect defenseman Ryan Mast and a seventh-round pick at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Victor Soderstrom. The next day, he signed a one-year deal worth $775,000. Soderstrom is a right-handed defenseman from Skutskar, Sweden, and stands six feet tall. In 2019, the Arizona Coyotes traded up and selected Soderstrom with the 11th overall pick at the draft in Vancouver, and they were set on doing so before the draft began. However, the high first-round pick only played in 53 NHL games, picking up a goal and ten assists.
Last year, Soderstrom left the recently relocated Utah Hockey Club and returned to his home country of Sweden as a member of Brynas IF. He signed a two-year deal with the Swedish club. In 49 games last season, Soderstrom scored nine times, added 28 assists, and was a league-leading +28. He won the Borje Salming Trophy as the best defenseman in the Swedish Hockey League. At the NHL trade deadline, Utah traded Soderstrom’s NHL rights to Chicago along with Aku Raty and Shea Weber’s contract, and Soderstrom played the rest of his season and playoffs in Sweden.
In 170 AHL games with the Tucson Roadrunners, Soderstrom picked up 16 goals and 82 points. The Arizona Coyotes gave him chances every season, but in 2023-24, he only played three NHL games. When the team moved to Utah, the coaches and front office of the Coyotes moved with the team, and the team added right-handed defensemen in Sean Durzi and John Marino, further creating a logjam of defenders, making it difficult for Soderstrom to move up. So, he did not sign with the Hockey Club as an RFA and moved back home to showcase his talent, while having fun and finding joy in the game again, as he told hockeynews.se. Now, Soderstrom gets what he wants: a fresh start and an opportunity with a new team to make it to the NHL, and that comes in Boston.
Soderstrom comes to Boston with the ability to bring a two-way style to the Bruins’ defense corps. His offensive ability is there, and he has shown it throughout his career with the Coyotes, Roadrunners, and Brynas IF. He can move with the puck on his stick, connect on passes to find the back of the net, and play on the power play. His versatility as a defenseman makes him a strong option for the Bruins’ coaching staff this season.
With training camp underway today at Warrior Ice Arena, Victor Soderstrom’s opportunity begins now. The top six defensemen are essentially set, with guys like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm back at full health and Henri Jokiharju and Mason Lohrei signing extensions this summer. Soderstrom will compete for a spot as the seventh defenseman, going up against Jordan Harris and Michael Callahan; all of the defensemen competing bring a different game to the Bruins’ blue line. Above all, Soderstrom’s first impression on the Bruins coaching staff and management will be essential.
Depth on the right side of defense has been thin for the Bruins, making this summer’s trade with the Blackhawks even more valuable for the black and gold. The depth chart on the right side of defense features Charlie McAvoy, Henri Jokiharju, Andrew Peeke, Victor Soderstrom, Billy Sweezey, Max Wanner, Ty Gallagher, and Mason Langenbrunner, who is playing at Harvard. With the trade to Boston, followed by the one-year contract, Soderstrom comes to the organization in a spot favorable to what he is looking for.
Over the weekend, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Boston Bruins have not started contract extension talks with right-handed defenseman Andrew Peeke. If they do not extend Peeke or decide to trade him before the season ends, then Soderstrom could become a candidate to slide into the lineup. He only signed a one-year deal, so his contract will also expire at the end of the season, forcing the Bruins’ front office to decide which kind of defender they would like to keep on the right side.
If Soderstrom does not make the Bruins roster out of training camp, starting the season with the Providence Bruins will benefit him as he continues to work for a chance. Opportunities will arise for Soderstrom, especially if he continues the play that won him the Borje Salming Trophy. His versatile two-way game and ability to play on the special teams make him a solid option for the coaching staff to consider, especially if a defenseman were to miss some time.
With a fresh start ahead of him and training camp opening today, Victor Soderstrom’s chance to make a lasting impression on the Bruins management starts now. The reigning Borje Salming Trophy winner has continually improved his production each year, dating back to his first year in Tucson. Last season at home in Sweden was beneficial due to his success, and it also allowed him to rediscover the joy of playing hockey. By signing with the Bruins on a one-year, two-way deal, the former 11th overall pick will come to camp with a chance to establish himself in the NHL, an opportunity he worked for throughout his years in the desert.
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