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Elmer Soderblom calls Penguins relentless after debut in Pittsburgh's comeback win
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Pens Inside Scoop had the line first, Elmer Soderblom, 24, said this Penguins group "never gives up," and his $1.125 million bet already feels on brand.
Kyle Dubas paid Detroit a 2026 third-rounder, originally San Jose's, on Friday for Soderblom, a 2019 sixth-round pick by the Red Wings, and Pittsburgh controls him through 2026-27.
That matters because this was not a rental swing.
It was a roster bet on size, reach, and cheap control at the deadline.
Soderblom entered Sunday with 39 games and a 2-1-3 line this season, then made his Penguins debut in the 5-4 overtime comeback against Boston. Pittsburgh is now 32-17-14 after grabbing two huge points.
"I feel like we have a group that never gives up and are in every single game."
- Elmer Soderblom
- Elmer Soderblom
He did not score, but the details were useful.
In just over 10 minutes, Soderblom put three shots on net and threw two hits, which is exactly the kind of simple, direct shift work this lineup needs from the bottom six.
Elmer Soderblom gives Pittsburgh a clearer look
A lot of Penguins fans are skeptical of any deadline move that does not scream center help, but this one makes sense if you care about forecheck pressure and net-front chaos.
At 6-foot-8, Soderblom gives Pittsburgh a different picture down low.
He can extend plays on the wall, hold pucks an extra second, and make life uglier between the pipes. That is useful on a team that too often needs perfect offense to score.
The cap angle matters too.
A $1.125 million hit is easy to carry, easy to bury if needed, and low-risk enough that Dubas can keep testing young pieces without clogging the books.
Now the next step is Tuesday in Carolina.
If Soderblom keeps helping Pittsburgh spend more time in the offensive zone, that quote about never giving up will sound less like debut-night emotion and more like a deadline clue.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Penguins blue line depth plan in motion with Jack St. Ivany's conditioning AHL loan
Penguins blue line depth plan in motion with Jack St. Ivany's conditioning AHL loan
| POLL | ||
MARS 9|143 ANSWERS Elmer Soderblom calls Penguins relentless after debut in Pittsburgh's comeback win Should Elmer Soderblom stay in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup after his debut? | ||
| Yes | 127 | 88.8 % |
| No | 16 | 11.2 % |
| List of polls | ||