Detroit — It was interesting listening to general manager Steve Yzerman during his season-ending press conference and his optimism regarding the future of prospect Elmer Soderblom.
The development of the 6-foot-8 Soderblom, a 2019 sixth-round pick, the 159th player drafted overall, has been a topic of great enthusiasm among the Wings' front office and fans.
"Based on what he’s done the last couple of years, his progress, we’re pretty excited about it,” Yzerman said.
What made it doubly important is the fact any organization, not just the Wings, need some of their late-round picks — basically anything past the first round — to succeed for the team to be successful in the long term.