It's been twelve weeks since free agency opened, and with the NHL's 2020-21 season beginning on January 13th, plenty of unsigned free agents are expected to find new homes. The free agent list shrunk by one on Saturday as forward Carl Soderberg signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Soderberg spent the 2019-20 season with the Arizona Coyotes putting up 35 points (17 G, 18 A), 18 penalty minutes, and was a +6 in 70 regular season games. During the playoffs, the Coyotes defeated the Nashville Predators during the Western Conference Qualifying Round, before losing to the Colorado Avalanche in the First Round. In 9 playoff games, Soderberg had 2 points (1 G, 1 A), 2 penalty minutes, and was a +/-0.
"Carl is an experienced center who plays a strong two-way game and adds an element of size to our group of centermen," said Stan Bowman, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. "He has shown the ability to score and match up, which is critical in today's game, and he also brings consistency and versatility to the team, evidenced by his usage on both special teams as well as even-strength play."
Soderberg, 35, was drafted in the second round, 49th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He signed his ELC with the Blues in 2006, but stayed in Sweden on loan for the entirety of his contract. Soderberg didn't come over to North America until 2013, when he signed a three-year contract with the Boston Bruins.
He has played parts of eight seasons with the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Arizona Coyotes. In 552 regular season games, Soderberg has tallied 280 points (103 G, 177 A), 192 penalty minutes, and is a -20. In 41 career playoff games, he's put up 12 points (2 G, 10 A), 14 penalty minutes, and is a +5.
Internationally, Soderberg has represented Sweden on multiple occasions, most recently at the 2017 IIHF World Hockey Championships. In 10 games, he had 1 point (1 A), 2 penalty minutes, and was a +2 as Sweden won their tenth title in tournament history by defeating Canada in the gold medal game.
Signed on!
Center Carl Söderberg has inked a 1-year / $1,000,000 deal. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/c4jiPB2Cti— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 26, 2020
