Kyle Dubas shares real reason Penguins targeted Red Wings’ giant forward Elmer Soderblom (Imagn Images)
Kyle Dubas did not inherit a quiet job in Pittsburgh. From the moment he arrived in 2023, the clock was already ticking. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang still had enough left to matter, but not forever.
Every decision since has carried that weight. Push too hard for the present, and the future thins out. Wait too long, and the window closes.This season, though, something feels different. The Penguins look quicker, more connected, and deeper across the ice. It is not just about the stars anymore. There is support in the lineup, pace on the wings, and a sense that the roster can handle different styles of play. Much of that traces back to Dubas, who has reshaped the team with constant, calculated movement.
Why Kyle Dubas targeted Elmer Soderblom and what it means for Pittsburgh now
Dubas has not been shy about making moves. Nineteen trades in a single calendar year is not just active, it is relentless. Some deals addressed clear needs, like goaltending or defensive depth. Others, like the addition of Elmer Soderblom, are more subtle but no less intentional.
The trade itself was simple on paper. Pittsburgh sent a 2026 third round pick to Detroit and brought in a 24 year old winger who stands at 6 foot 8.
It is the kind of deal that might slip past casual attention. Inside the organization, it checks several boxes at once.Dubas explained the thinking in detail: “He’s a player we identified throughout the year as someone who fits the age group we’re trying to bring in. He’s under contract this year and next, and then becomes a restricted free agent, so we have team control beyond that. He fits a prototype we don’t have in our prospect pool — he’s a very tall player—and his skating has continued to improve over time.
Detroit’s development program has done a good job with him, although they have a deep pool of younger players and high-end picks.
He was someone we felt might become available,” said Dubas. “What stands out is his ability to forecheck, disrupt plays, and win pucks back. That’s something we’ve identified as an area to add more of across the lineup. We already have players like Desharnais, Lizotte, and Acciari who do that well, but adding more helps.
The key for us is his term and control, and the ability to develop him further.”There is a clear pattern in that answer. This is not about size alone. Pittsburgh wants pressure players. Forwards who can chase down loose pucks, force mistakes, and keep shifts alive in the offensive zone. Soderblom brings that edge, along with a physical presence the team has not consistently had.Timing matters too. While the core still drives the team, Dubas is layering in players who can grow into bigger roles.
Soderblom is not expected to carry a line right away. He is a project, but one with a defined purpose.The cost makes the bet easier to understand. A third round pick is valuable, but not untouchable. For that price, Pittsburgh gets a player with a rare profile and a path to development within their system. If he finds his game, the return could be significant. If not, the risk does not cripple future plans.This is how Dubas is trying to thread the needle. Keep the present competitive, while quietly shaping what comes next. Moves like this rarely dominate headlines, but over time, they tend to define whether a team sustains success or fades when its stars finally slow down.
