Carl Soderberg has signed a new deal. The former Arizona Coyotes centre had another productive year in 2019-20 but he might be starting to decline. The Chicago Blackhawks will attempt to recapture some of Soderberg’s production when he scored 23 goals and 49 points for the Colorado Avalanche in 2018-19. The deal is for one year at $1 million.
Carl Soderberg signs a 1 year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. $1 million.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 26, 2020
Carl Soderberg Signs With Chicago Blackhawks
Soderberg had a fine campaign in the most recent season. The 34-year-old scored 17 goals and 35 points in 70 games. Those numbers are perfectly respectable when you consider Arizona’s system and the fact that he averaged his fewest minutes in several seasons. Soderberg’s 15:54 of average ice time was the lowest since 2013-14 when he skated just 14:16 with the Boston Bruins.
He has never been a good defensive forward despite playing in two very defensive-heavy systems like Boston and Arizona. Soderberg has posted a Corsi For above 50 percent twice and a positive Corsi For Relative just one time. He does have some physicality in his game with at least 70 hits in the past three seasons but he is probably limited to the bottom-six and power-play as he moves further into his mid-30s.
What This Means for the Future
Soderberg should be a fine addition for his new franchise. His advanced metrics have never been great but he has posted double-digit goals in six of eight seasons. There is nothing to suggest that he can’t remain a productive forward option. His new team might just need to adjust his usage and avoid putting him in the defensive zone too much. It will certainly help if the team can put him next to more efficient linemates. Soderberg had a 50.8 percent Corsi For next to leading scorer Nick Schmaltz but that plummeted below 45 percent next to Lawson Crouse or Phil Kessel according to Natural Stat Trick. Finding a combination of linemates where Soderberg can distribute the puck to good offensive teammates will help the veteran maintain or even improve his level of production.
