Elmer Soderblom’s first experience in the NHL postseason wasn’t gentle.
On the first shift of his first career playoff game, he received a rough and tumble introduction to spring hockey.
During Game 1 of the Penguins’ first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena on April 18, Soderblom found out what the postseason was all about pretty early.
About 113 seconds into play, to be precise.
That’s when rugged Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) gave the much larger Soderblom (6-8, 252) a late thump into the boards a few moments after a whistle halted play. Soderblom was caught off guard and tumbled to the ice, resulting in a roughing penalty for Ristolainen in a game the Flyers ultimately won 3-2.
Rasmus Ristolainen on nyt pelannut Stanley Cupin playoffeissa! Nostaa tässä Göteborgin Elmerin seinälle juhlan kunniaksi. Playoff-Risto pic.twitter.com/Wxj9XLvG89
— Jouni Nieminen ???????????????? (Dont forget ????????) (@OnsideWithJouni) April 19, 2026
That indelicate moment for Soderblom served as something of a precursor for the Penguins as they were dispatched by the Flyers in the best-of-seven series, 4-2.
“It’s a tough, tough out there,” Soderblom said in Cranberry on May 1 during the Penguins’ exit interviews. “It’s tough games. All the small battles matter. It’s more physical. It’s just a different level. It’s a great experience to play those types of games.”
Soderblom’s experience with the Penguins was mostly positive after they acquired him from the Detroit Red Wings at the trade deadline March 6.
It was the only trade the Penguins made that day as they sent a third-round draft pick in this year’s draft to acquire the raw and intriguing Soderblom.
“The things that have stood out with him this year have been the ability to forecheck, get in on the forecheck, disrupt pucks and win pucks back,” Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said the day of the trade. “For us, that’s one thing that we identified.
“Being able to add a little bit more of that throughout the lineup would be good.”
Joining the Penguins proved to be good for Soderblom.
A sixth-round draft pick (No. 159 overall) of the Red Wings in 2019, Soderblom never seemed to gain sufficient traction with that organization, bouncing between the NHL club and its American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
This season, Soderblom required waivers to be assigned to the AHL and as such, the Red Wings made him a healthy scratch for 21 games instead of risking losing him for nothing.
Once he joined the Penguins, he tapped into components of his game that were previously undiscovered.
After appearing in 39 games for the Red Wings and being limited to three points (two goals, one assist), he posted 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 20 games with the Penguins.
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— NHL (@NHL) April 15, 2026
“I feel like my game improved when I got here,” Soderblom said. “Just a fresh start. I felt like I took a chance and showed my game. I’m happy with that part of the season.”
What changed? Other than his jersey and zip code?
“It’s a mix of (a defined role and confidence),” Soderblom said. “Getting the confidence and just playing my game without thinking too much. Just feeling the trust from the organization. It felt good.”
Soderblom, who turns 25 on July 5, is under contract for another year with a salary cap hit of $1.125 million. And he is a pending restricted free agent in 2027.
With the Penguins holding contract control, there’s plenty to suggest Soderblom will remain part of the Penguins for the foreseeable future.
“This fits,” Soderblom said. “(Dan Muse) is a great coach. I feel like he gets through to players and gets them to understand. Everybody is on the same page. That communication is really good.
“So far, my experience here has been great.”