RFA Victor Söderström Exits NHL, Heads Overseas

He was a first-round pick, the 11th overall selection, just five years ago. But frustrated restricted free agent Victor Söderström has decided to head back home to Sweden to continue his career, at the age of 23.

Victor Söderström is returning home to Sweden on a two-year contract with Brynäs. The 11th pick from the 2019 draft appeared in 53 NHL games with the #coyotes.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 15, 2024

Söderström has signed a two-year contract with Brynäs, after struggling to get his footing in the NHL in parts of four seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. As he was an RFA, the Utah Hockey Club do retain his rights if he is to try to return to the NHL at the conclusion of his two-year deal in Sweden.

While Utah was hoping to keep the puck-moving defenseman, he was growing more and more frustrated with his limited run with the big club, and was not interested in re-signing with the organization. He hoped for another NHL job, but when a trade (or an offer sheet) wasn't forthcoming, he looked overseas.

Söderström was constantly passed over for recalls from the AHL last season, and got into just three games in Arizona.

He fared well with the Tucson Roadrunners in the minors once again, posting 32 points in 62 games. He got into 30 games with the Coyotes in 2022-23, though recorded only nine points. In 44 games with the Roadrunners that year, he registered 21 points.

Söderström returns now to Brynas, where he spent several years, both in junior and the SHL, before coming over to North America.