Expect The Unexpected: Arizona Coyotes Trade Up, Select Victor Soderstrom 11th

In an unexpected move, the Arizona Coyotes traded up to the 11th spot to snag Swedish defenseman Victor Soderstrom. Soderstrom, 18, is a right-handed shooting defenseman who impressed playing against older competition in Sweden. 

The Arizona Coyotes showed yet again why even the best draft predictions are wishes and guesses, surprising fans and media alike by trading up to the 11th pick to select Victor Soderstrom, an 18 year-old defenseman who played last season for Brynas IF in his home country.

In trading for the 11th pick, the Coyotes sent the 14th and 45th picks to Philadelphia, showing John Chayka’s belief the right-handed shot was the best available fit for the organization.

My Grade: B 

This pick leaves many fans wanting, as the Coyotes were ranked 7th in Goals Against Average, with a sterling 2.55 per game, but actually failed to outscore opponents all year, scoring 2.50 goals per game.

While many fans craved an impactful scorer in the first round, and eyes will be on Cole Caufield, the winger who starred for the United States Under-18 team and fell to Montreal at the 15th pick, I’m trusting Chayka believes he took the best player on the board, which, within reason is always a logical strategy, as prospects are often a year or two or even more away from making an impact in the NHL, but are always trade pieces. The more defensive depth the Coyotes have, the more pieces they have to trade for forwards who can make an immediate impact without depleting their strength, which is solid defensive play and goaltending.

Soderstrom, for what it’s worth, excelled in Sweden playing against grown men. He is seen as an elite hockey mind, a skilled skater, and a defenseman who can also contribute on offense, with a strong shot. If he becomes the player the Coyotes hope he does, he is a righty anchor for the blue line, or, as previously discussed, a covered trade chip as the Coyotes front office seems to bring more scoring to the Valley of the Sun.

And, as John Chayka told The Athletic Arizona’s  Craig Morgan: “I have never known a coach who said we have too many good defensemen.”

As with any pick, time will tell the result, especially one in which the team trades up for their desired player. But in stockpiling a strength, Coyotes GM John Chayka has set himself up with the assets to improve the offense while not taking away from the defense. The next moves will be big in determining Soderstrom’s future, as well as his future role for the Coyotes.