Tagged: Linkoping

Carl Sodeberg

11th year pro, Swedish-born center/left wing Carl Soderberg(34) appears to be poised to finally join Boston Bruins‘ lineup for a full season.

He signed a 3-year deal during the team’s playoff run last season and appeared in a pair of games (with no points) on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The big 6’3″ 218 lbs. forward was pretty much a point per game player in his last 8 seasons of action with Malmo of his home country’s 2nd tier league Allsvenskan and the last two in the SHL playing for Linköping.

Almost amazing, the Bruins maintained his playing rights in North America after making a trade for him in 2007. He was originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 2nd round draft pick in 2004 (#49 overall).

He was always rumored to be suiting up with the team sooner than it ultimately happened but was under contract, which kept him overseas and still on the radar.

At 27-years old is expected to be an elite contributor Boston‘s continuing success.

The two-year Washington Capitals‘ experiment to bring over dynamic Swedish center Mattias Sjogren(26) is over as he signs a 2-year deal to return to his home country and play for Linkoping in Elitserien.

He will be entering his 9th season, having played in the pro ranks since he was 17-years old.

In 2011/2012, he started the season in Hershey but asked to return to Sweden and signed on with Färjestad, when things weren’t adding up.

Although the now 25-year old recorded AHL highs in games played, goals, assists and points with affiliate Hershey Bears, he went out with a concussion and at other times was able to crack the lineup on a more regular basis.

He’s listed at 6’3″ 219 lbs. but seemed to play more of a European skating style game over digging deep in the corners or fighting for position in front of the net with his power forward size.

Chances of him returning to North America with another nice contract are slim but easily life has to be pretty good for the still young player to be skating in Sweden’s elite league (SEL).

Mattias Sjogren