Arizona Coyotes defenseman Victor Soderstrom (77) controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. The Coyotes won 4-1. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)AP
The Bruins swung a trade late Friday afternoon, acquiring the rights to defenseman Victor Soderstrom from the Blackhawks. In return, Boston sent defenseman Ryan Mast and a 2025 seventh-round pick to Chicago.
A first-rounder (No. 11 overall) in 2019, Soderstrom spent the first four years of his career with the Arizona Coyotes, appearing in 53 games, before opting to play in his native Sweden last season.
Soderstrom never skated in a game for the Blackhawks, who acquired his rights at the trade deadline. He excelled in the SHL last season, winning the Salming Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defender. Soderstrom scored nine goals and added 28 assists in 49 games for Brynas IF Gavle.
The 5-foot-11, 184-pound right-shot defenseman is set to be a restricted free agent this summer.
Mast was a Bruins sixth-rounder in 2021 and has spent the past two years in Providence. Last season, Mast appeared in 37 games, picking up five assists but never finding the back of the net.
