BLOCKBUSTER BLUE LINE BOOST: Boston Bruins Acquire Former Top-15 Pick Victor Söderström from Chicago Blackhawks in Offseason Shake-Up

In a surprising offseason move that’s shaking up the NHL landscape, the Boston Bruins have officially acquired the rights to defenseman Victor Söderström from the Chicago Blackhawks. The former 11th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft is the latest addition to Boston’s defensive pipeline as the organization eyes a more dynamic, youthful core heading into the 2025 season.

Though the trade didn’t carry the fireworks of a high-profile, multi-player blockbuster, it represents a calculated and forward-thinking move by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. Boston sent a conditional draft pick and future considerations to Chicago in exchange for the rights to Söderström, a talented blue-liner whose development has taken a winding path since being drafted by the Arizona Coyotes.

Söderström, 24, was originally seen as one of Sweden’s top defensive prospects, with smooth skating, sharp vision, and a right-handed shot that made him highly coveted. However, after bouncing between the NHL and AHL in the Coyotes system and a recent stint with the Blackhawks organization, he never quite found a stable home. Now, with a fresh opportunity in Boston, he may be positioned for a breakout.

With veterans like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm anchoring the back end, the Bruins have prioritized building around a strong, mobile defense. Söderström fits the mold of the modern NHL defenseman: agile, poised with the puck, and capable of quarterbacking a power play. His potential remains high, and Boston is betting that a change of scenery and the Bruins’ structured system could help unlock the player scouts saw when he was drafted out of Brynäs IF in the SHL.

For Söderström, the move to Boston offers a vital career reset. The Swede struggled to find consistency during his time with Arizona and Chicago. At times, he showcased the elite skating and offensive instincts that once made him a top draft pick, but he was often sidelined due to injuries or roster logjams.

With his rights now belonging to the Bruins, Söderström will likely sign a new deal this summer. Depending on how training camp unfolds, he could either compete for a bottom-pairing spot or spend some time in Providence refining his game under the Bruins’ developmental staff.

Söderström’s arrival complicates — or enhances — an already crowded blue line picture. Boston has a strong mix of established NHLers and prospects pushing for ice time. Mason Lohrei, Ian Mitchell, and Jakub Zboril are among the names Söderström will be competing with come camp.

His right-shot presence is especially noteworthy. With few right-handed defensemen in the system beyond McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, Söderström fills a positional need. If he can add steady two-way play and offensive support on the second power-play unit, he might carve out a more permanent NHL role sooner than expected.

For Chicago, this move was likely about clearing space and assets. The Blackhawks have undergone a sweeping youth movement centered around Connor Bedard and a rebuild strategy that requires flexibility. Söderström, a restricted free agent this summer, may not have figured into their long-term plans.

This trade may not dominate headlines like some offseason mega-deals, but for Bruins fans, it’s a signal that Boston remains aggressive in shaping its future. Victor Söderström, once heralded as Sweden’s next top-tier defenseman, now gets a golden opportunity to rewrite his NHL narrative with one of the league’s most consistent franchises.