Blues prospect Soderberg returns to Sweden

[2ForRoughing*]

as per Andy Strickland (via Blues coach Mike Kitchen as per today) Carl Soderberg has decided to return to Sweden and play in the SEL as opposed to staying in N.America and playing in the AHL (with a possible callup to St.Louis when injuries hit)

Oh well.

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[Vikke]

I thought he'd NOT do that?

 

[heygarebear]

won't hurt his development imo

 

[hdw]

won't hurt his development imo

Well nothing can be worse than AHL so of course it wont.

 

[mattihp]

Well nothing can be worse than AHL so of course it wont.

Playing too few minutes in the age racist SEL could be worse than playing more minutes in the AHL

If you're a young swede who hasn't got Bäckström type talent, you will se "your" role being played by a foreigner instead

 

[hdw]

Playing too few minutes in the age racist SEL could be worse than playing more minutes in the AHL

If you're a young swede who hasn't got Bäckström type talent, you will se "your" role being played by a foreigner instead

That's true, and a big problem.

Many teams seem to prefer foreign players with 'NHL experience' (as in played some games and was rejected) instead of playing young swedes.

So yes, for some AHL is the better choice.
Take Liv, Lundqvist (Joel that is), Eriksson and others who are established SEL players, for them AHL is the best way forward.

But for many young players it isn't, they'll just feel lost, forlorn and rejected. And after a year or two they get back home and play tier-2 hockey or become sales drones.

But you're absolutely correct in that the problem is on this side of the pond, as it is now a SEL team can use unlimited amount of EU players (and 2 non-EU).

So we can end up with a team without a single swede, and thereby force our juniors and youngster out of the country.

 

[mattihp]

That's true, and a big problem.

Many teams seem to prefer foreign players with 'NHL experience' (as in played some games and was rejected) instead of playing young swedes.

So yes, for some AHL is the better choice.
Take Liv, Lundqvist (Joel that is), Eriksson and others who are established SEL players, for them AHL is the best way forward.

But for many young players it isn't, they'll just feel lost, forlorn and rejected. And after a year or two they get back home and play tier-2 hockey or become sales drones.

But you're absolutely correct in that the problem is on this side of the pond, as it is now a SEL team can use unlimited amount of EU players (and 2 non-EU).

So we can end up with a team without a single swede, and thereby force our juniors and youngster out of the country.

I could see Carl Söderberg making the NHL in the 07/08 season. But I wouldn't be sure that he gets enough icetime to improve until then if he's gonna play with the Redhawks. Playing with Peoria would most likely give him more minutes, as well as adjusting to the North American game.