The Detroit Red Wings made a move to bring up Simon Edvinsson from the minors. Amid some defensive injuries to Gustav Lindstrom and Ben Chiarot, the team needed to make a move and bring the young defenseman up.
I’ll gladly eat my words here. I said that the Detroit Red Wings should keep Edvinsson in Grand Rapids and see what he can bring to the table in 2023-24. Similar to what they did with Jonatan Berggren in 2021-22 into 2022-23.
But after just two games in the NHL, it’s easy to see why this decision was made with Edvinsson. He’s shown traits of what you want to see from an NHL-caliber defenseman. While there’s likely no way he will play more than nine NHL games in 2022-23 to avoid any entry-level contract issues, the Red Wings got a good one.
There was already reason to be excited about Edvinsson and his future in the winged wheel uniform, being a former first-rounder and sixth-overall pick at that. But there was plenty to like in what Edvinsson has shown so far during his very short time in a Red Wings uniform.
Detroit Red Wings prospect Simon Edvinsson is going to be great.
Edvinsson was having a fine year in Grand Rapids. He was showing why he was going to be a considerable part of the team’s future. Through 51 games played with the Griffins this season, Edvinsson managed five goals and added 22 assists for 27 total points.
He’s played all of three games at the NHL level but has shown things to be excited about. Mostly being his ability to get involved in the play. He’s made his presence known in his first few games. Whether it’s providing support from the blueline in the offensive zone or laying the body, he’s finding ways to get involved.
Edvinsson even tallied his first goal during the Red Wings’ loss to the Blues on Thursday night. He let one rip front the point, and it re-directed off a Blues defender to get past the netminder and get him the tally.
He also has found ways to get involved in the defensive zone. He was able to use his body but also use this stick and disrupt the Blues from generating some of the scoring chances. While the Red Wings youngster has things to work on and areas to improve, he’s shown flashes of being great.
The Red Wings defender will be a force at the NHL level down the line. When 2023-24 comes around, expect Edvinsson to join the NHL club and be a huge part of the defense core alongside his battery mate, Moritz Seider, who will anchor the top pairing.