Linus Söderström

October 2020 – After signing a contract with Ässät of the Finnish Liiga, Söderström was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Isles. The Swede is an easy guy to root for after battling to overcome shoulder surgery, a foot injury, a sports hernia, Asperger Syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, he appears to have abandoned his NHL dream after his 2019-20 campaign was limited to four uninspiring ECHL outings. He’s off to a good start in the Liiga with a 2.00 GAA and a .923 save percentage in one game. Mark Allan

February 2020 – The young 6-4, 196-pound Swede has had more obstacles than most while pursuing his dream of playing the NHL. Shoulder surgery, a foot injury and a sports hernia are only his physical challenges. Söderström admirably has discussed his childhood diagnoses of Asperger Syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. His physical ailments seem to be a bigger obstacle than his mental state, limiting him to 14 games in the 2017-18 Swedish Hockey League season and erasing his entire subsequent AHL campaign. He has a 4.49 GAA and .870 save percentage in four ECHL appearances this season. With RFA status looming, Söderström’s future is clouded. Mark Allan

March 2019 – Soderstrom left Sweden with plans of taking a job in North America at some level for the Islanders. However, a shoulder injury caused the goaltender to miss the entire season due to surgery. This injury is the latest in a recent trend which has risen some concerns over his durability. Soderstrom and his camp hope to remain healthy over the off-season and challenge for a job at next years training camp. You should take a wait-and-see approach until he can prove his durability, or he may find himself back in Sweden and out of a job in North America. Nate Duffett

January 2018 – The young Swedish goalie was having a rough season for HV71 (though, he set himself up with a tough act to follow from 2016-17) and that season may be over as a result of shoulder surgery. There isn’t an exact timetable for his return and shoulder injuries at any position are always very dicey. If he does return this season, it may not be at full strength.  Michael Farkas

July 2017 – Soderstrom tended goal for two of the three portions of the Islanders Mini-Camp Blue-White Scrimmage – games one and three, each 20 minutes of four-on-four hockey with penalties resulting in penalty shots. Facing a barrage of pucks in this wide-open format, he gave up three goals in the first game, but came just a short minute from shutting out Team Blue/White (three teams total participated, but only two sets of jerseys were available) in the third contest. Much more impressive results once he and his teammates adjusted to the four-on-four game. Kevin Wickersham

June 2017 – Soderstrom has finally landed on his feet in the upper ranks of the Swedish hockey scene. Picked up by HV71 to be a backup, Soderstrom – now, more physically healthy – took over the crease around Christmas and never looked back. In 22 games, Soderstrom posted a 1.34 GAA, .943 save pct. and six clean sheets. The GAA marks an SHL record once held by Henrik Lundqvist (1.45). All this, of course, came on the back of a stellar performance at the 2016 World Junior Championships, where he was named the tournament’s best goaltender.

Moreover, Soderstrom was the goalie of record for HV71’s postseason run that resulted in a championship. After a sweep of Farjestad BK and a five-game series win over Malmo, Soderstrom authored a 2-1 overtime win in game 7 of the championship series versus Byrnas IF.

Soderstrom signed an entry-level contract with the Islanders in May, however, he will likely remain in Sweden for at least one more season. As an organization, the Isles boast very little talent at the North American pro level (with respect to Jaroslav Halak), when Soderstrom is ready it seems likely that the door will be open for him to make an impact early on. Mike Farkas

December 2015 – Soderstrom was selected as the starter for Sweden and has played well for a now undermanned Swedish squad. His first game against the Swiss did not play out well but Sweden had run away with the game early on and lacked in defensive responsibility. Recently he absolutely stole the game against the USA stopping all 46 shots he faced helping Sweden to win 1-0. Definately scoop him up in keeper leagues if you are willing to wait and have the room. Pat Quinn

November 2015 – Soderstrom is currently playing in the Allsvenskan league, a tier below the SHL, for HC Vita Hästen, and playing very well. In nine games he has a 0.920 save percentage and a 2.19 goals against average. The big Swedish netminder should eventually be up in the SH with the big club, but additional starts for a young goalie are always good for development. He is one to watch closely. Pat Quinn

June 2015 – Soderstrom, the 2014 fourth round pick of the Islanders, played 14 games for Djurgården’s J20 team posting a 0.906 save percentage, and although he did back up for the parent club, he never played a game but he is signed there for next season. He was loaned to the Allsvenskan league, Sweden’s second men’s league, putting up a 0.909 save percentage in four games for Södertälje SK and an abysmal 0.880 in one game for Almtuna. He was strong for team Sweden at the World Juniors with a 0.917 save percentage in seven games as Sweden ended up losing bronze to Slovakia. The 6-4 goalie is athletic with good mechanics, but at 18 he is a raw long-term project. Some scouts have suggested he does have the tools to become an elite goalie in the future. Pat Quinn