The Detroit Red Wings have been sputtering lately, struggling to get going in their recent games. Their poor performance has made it tough to watch some of their games at times, leaving massive holes in their performance.
Sure, they battled back in their overtime loss to the Senators, but the Detroit Red Wings’ defensive efforts have been the problem. The offense continues to show up, but the Red Wings’ efforts in the defensive zone have been rough. Their defense core has some bright spots, but there are times when it has holes.
The holes in the Red Wings game tend to lead to issues with the defense core and between the pipes. If Steve Yzerman is seeing what we’re all seeing, he’s got to be pondering making a change, aiming to switch things up.
One possibility is that the Red Wings call up a prospect. They could shake up the defense core by doing this, bringing Simon Edvinsson back to the NHL team and allowing him to make his debut for the 2023-24 season.
Detroit Red Wings’ defense struggles may prompt Simon Edvinsson’s call-up.
Nothing confirms a move or set in stone that the Red Wings will bring Edvinsson up to the NHL level, but it might be time for a change in the defense core. Jeff Petry and Ben Chiarot have not been the best.
It’s speculation, but if you take a quick look on X/Twitter, the Red Wings faithful are surely hoping that Edvinsson gets called up sooner rather than later. Edvinsson made his NHL debut during the 2022-23 season, playing nine games before being sent back down to preserve his entry-level contract.
In his first shot at NHL hockey, Edvinsson scored two goals to tally his first career points over his short nine-game stint. But as the 2023- 24 season kicks off, he has been relegated to the AHL level.
Edvinsson started the season with the Griffins, playing in 11 games, scoring three goals, and adding two assists for five total points. The Red Wings faithful want to see Edvinsson back in the NHL, and it might be worth seeing what he can do.
Detroit’s defense core could get a much-needed breath of fresh air if all goes well. Worst case, Edvinsson is sent back down to the AHL. As it stands, the Red Wings have seven defensemen on the roster.
But, given Jake Walman’s injury in Friday’s loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Red Wings may have a roster spot open up after all. If Walman misses an extended period of time, there may need to be a call-up and Edvinsson could be the player Detroit turns to.
This means a promotion of Edvinsson would require a corresponding move by Detroit. Yzerman may be hesitant to make a move yet, but Edvinsson being promoted would bring about a nice shake-up in the defense core.