The Detroit Red Wings already have high hopes for defensive prospect Simon Edvinsson despite not playing in a preseason game this year. Max Bultman of The Athletic shared earlier that head coach Derek Lalonde expects Edvinsson to find consistent playing time in the team’s top four to start the season.
The young Swede has spent the better part of two years with the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, but also has 25 NHL contests under his belt. There are high expectations for the sixth overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft as the Red Wings desperately need to take pressure off Moritz Seider to balance out their defensive core.
Edvinsson is a remarkably smooth skater considering his 6’6″ frame and has moved the puck well with 44 assists in 106 AHL contests. He was seen skating on a line with veteran defenseman Jeff Petry yesterday during practice and that will be the likely pairing heading into the 2024-25 NHL season.
Other Atlantic notes:
- Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was back skating today after suffering an undisclosed injury in yesterday’s practice (X Link). He’s unlikely to play in tomorrow’s preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins as the team remains cautionary with their top blue liner. It’s a positive sign that Dahlin is already back skating despite having little to prove in preseason action. He’s coming off another quality year with 10 goals and 59 points in 81 games and the Sabres’ brass will prioritize him being ready for the regular season opener.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported this morning that the Ottawa Senators and National Capital Commission had reached a deal for the organization to build a new arena and entertainment district in Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats neighborhood. As more news regarding the acquisition continues to break, Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet reports the land purchase should be finalized in 2025. This shouldn’t have any major impact on the deal as the Senators’ organization never indicated that developing their new arena and district would be quick.
Edvinsson will need a short time to reacclimate himself to NHL speed but his past games have shown this not to be a big issue. Lets hope he is just one more step in shoring up the decade long defensive weakness. Talbot and Lyons should also be helped by some added strength on the D lines.
Fingers crossed.
Edvinsson will do fine. First full year will be some pains but long term the future for him is bright.
Edvinsson will do just fine, his biggest issue will be 82 games plus playoffs if they make it. Young guys have never had to play so many games.