It would appear as though the “Carl Soderberg watch” could finally be coming to an end.
You’ll remember Boston Bruins general manger Peter Chiarelli traded for Soderberg way back in 2007 and has been trying to get the center/wing to join the Bruins ever since.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger via Twitter, the Bruins have finally signed the 27-year old Swedish sniper to a 3-year deal and he could be bringing his talents to Causeway Street as early as this weekend:
Pending final approval, Carl Soderberg could be in Boston by wknd. Soderberg and Bruins have agreed to a deal for this season, plus 2 more..
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 10, 2013
Bruins will pay Soderberg $600k this season (including signing bonus) and $1m per for next two seasons. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 10, 2013
I feel like this is not a bad deal for either side, Soderberg makes decent money while seeing if he has what it takes to make it in the NHL and the Bruins invest little money in a player that has size, skill and versatility.
Of course, there is still some paperwork that needs to be done and as of now the Bruins have yet to officially announce anything. But if its true the Bruins could be getting some much needed help for the stretch run and maybe even the playoffs.
However, I want Bruins fans to take it easy on Soderberg. He has yet to play in North America and there will most certainly be an adjustment period. The Bruins are obviously willing to give him some time to adjust as shown with them reportedly signing him to a 3-year deal, so we should do the same.
At 6’3″, 210 lbs, Soderberg is a big body that can skate and has shown the ability to makes plays and score some goals, he did after all lead the Swedish Elite League in scoring, but did struggle to produce in the playoffs after being suspended a couple games for cross-checking a player in the neck/head. In Soderberg’s defense, the guy gave him Mankind’s patented “Mandible Claw” before Soderberg retaliated.
Watch the video for yourself, it all starts going south about 40 seconds in:
If he pans out and can possibly help the Bruins in the playoffs they would have some pretty big forwards for opposing defenses to handle. Guys like Jaromir Jagr, Milan Lucic, Jordan Caron and Nathan Horton are big-bodied forwards the Bruins already possess and Soderberg could potentially be another thoroughbred in the stable.
Put those guys together with offensively gifted forwards who have a little more speed like Tyler Seguin, David Krejci, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, and that makes the Bruins a handful for any team in the NHL to handle defensively.
On the other hand, all these forwards create a logjam and will make it very tough for Soderberg to take someone’s spot in the lineup and thats only after he proves he even belongs in the NHL. Sure he can score in the SEL, but the NHL and its playoffs are another monster entirely.
Time will tell when exactly Soderberg will join the Bruins and if he can help them, but for now he’s a very intriguing addition and could be yet another piece to the puzzle that is the 2013 Boston Bruins.