Chicago Pick Tim Soderlund Looks Like the Next Viktor Arvidsson

Tim Soderlund has made a habit of standing out. While his name might not have rang the same bells in the press as Swedish world junior teammates like Elias Pettersson or Rasmus Dahlin, make no mistake: Soderlund made an impact on the team, as he has consistently done in the past. The Chicago Blackhawks pick was a force in Buffalo and while I don’t want to raise expectations too much, he really looks like he could be the next Viktor Arvidsson.

“He plays a speedy game,” said Sweden coach Tomas Monten. “He uses it on the forecheck, making tough hits and getting in a guy’s face. But he can also use it to score and create offense.”

Sound familiar? And there are more parallels between Soderlund and Nashville’s Arvidsson. Both are undersized, 5-foot-9 wingers who were passed over in the draft initially before getting scooped up in subsequent years by Central Division teams in the fourth round – with the 112th pick overall. Both have worn No. 9 for Skelleftea in the SHL.

Soderlund is the current owner of that jersey and has already established a career-high in points this season with eight through 26 games, including six goals. Born and raised in Skelleftea, he’s happy to play for the team, which currently sits mid-table in the SHL.