Blackhawks’ offseason moves begin with minor trade with Bruins

The Blackhawks made their first transaction of the 2025 offseason Friday, although it won’t move any needles in regards to their overall summer plan.

They traded the rights to Swedish defenseman Victor Soderstrom to the Bruins for prospect defenseman Ryan Mast and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick (No. 197 overall).

Soderstrom, 24, is a former Coyotes first-round pick who flamed out in that organization and moved back to his native Sweden this past season. There, he enjoyed an excellent season, winning the Swedish Hockey League’s defenseman of the year award.

The Hawks acquired his rights from Utah in March, as part of the trade in which Shea Weber’s contract changed hands. Since so many young defensemen in the Hawks’ system played well down the stretch, however, they apparently weren’t willing to promise Soderstrom an NHL roster spot next season, which would’ve wooed him back to North America.

The Bruins, on the other hand, have much less talent in the pipeline and seemingly are willing to promise him that.

Mast, 22, is a former sixth-round pick who tallied five points in 37 games for AHL Providence last season. He’s a low-level prospect who will likely play in Rockford next season. He has one year remaining on his entry-level contract.

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