Red Wings’ Edvinsson Is Showing Flashes of Greatness
The Detroit Red Wings have some promising prospects at the forward position. However, what about the defensive position? Moritz Seider is showing he belongs in the NHL, but what is after him? One defenseman, Simon Edvinsson, is showing tremendous promise and could be on the Red Wings blueline as soon as next season.
Simon Edvinsson, at 6-foot-7 and 205 pounds, is a house on skates. There is nothing he can not do on the ice and his skills do not stop on the defensive end.
Edvinsson has risen to the top of the defensive prospect list due to his performances over the past season. Drafted #6 overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit, he has shown upside due to transforming and improving at all aspects of the game.
Edvinsson is 6-foot-7 but do not let his size fool you. He has the size of Zdeno Chara but has the skating of Paul Coffey due to his smooth skating. Edvinsson is very mobile and agile for a man his size.
His defense has improved to the point where he could be a top-pairing defenseman in Detroit as soon as next season. With his size, he is able to cut down passing lanes in the defensive zone while cutting down angles for opposition rushes.
Who is Red Wings’ Simon Edvinsson?
Edvinsson is solid in all three zones. He is able to break up plays and slow down the opposition as soon as they cross the blue line with his active stick. Offensively he can use that reach to keep pucks in the zone and stretch the defense with hard, crisp passes.
This season, while playing for Frolunda of the SHL, he has accounted for 1 goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 26 games played, while also posting a +2 and 10 penalty minutes. Edvinsson can play a regular shift, power play, or penalty kill.
A physical defenseman who will create space in the defensive zone will take a hit to make a play. He has a good transition game that allows the opposition to be aware at all times.
On the offensive end, he can create offense like a forward with a booming slapshot and quick, precise passing. He plays the game like he is a fourth forward on the ice at all times.
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The rest of the season, development camp, and training camp next season are going to be huge for Edvinsson, as they could very well determine where he plays next season. The best-case scenario is he plays in Detroit, while the worst-case scenario is he goes back to Frolunda or even begins his pro career in Grand Rapids with the Griffins.