Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Review: Simon Edvinsson’s Future

Edvinsson made NHL debut in 2023

Published

10 months ago

June 9, 2023

Bob Duff

Simon Edvinsson is the top-rated Red Wings prospect

Detroit Hockey Now’s Red Wings Review series is assessing every player who held a significant place in the fortunes of the 2022-23 Detroit Red Wings season. We’ll be looking at the highs and lows they experienced during the recently-completed campaign, as well as what the future holds for them in Detroit. Today, we feature Simon Edvinsson

Simon Edvinsson

Position: Defense

2022-23 totals (GP-G-A-PTS-): 9-2-0-2

Contract Status: Signed through the 2025-26 season at an AAV of $1.744 million.

Season Synopsis

The moment Red Wings fans were waiting for arrived March 18 when 2021 first-round pick Simon Edvinsson was making his NHL debut on the Detroit defense against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. Certainly, there were high expectations placed upon the player chosen sixth overall in his draft year and Edvinsson did not disappoint.

Our @xfinity Player of the Week?

Simon Edvinsson! 🚨🙌 pic.twitter.com/tH4tEtRehh

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 26, 2023

“Before that first game against Colorado I said, ‘If you can play against these guys you can play against anybody,’” Detroit defenseman Jake Walman said. “I thought he had a good showing and I’m sure everybody is excited and has been talking about him for a while.”

2022-23 Red Wings Highlights

In his third NHL game, Edvinsson tallied his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues. He would skate a season high 22:25 in a 5-3 win at Toronto on April 2. The Red Wings limited Edvinsson to nine games played so that they wouldn’t burn a year of his three-year entry-level contract. In the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Edvinsson led all defensemen with 5–22-27 totals in 52 games.

TIED GAME! SIMON EDVINSSON BABY!!!!! 48 seconds between goals and bounces it off of Owen Power #LGRW pic.twitter.com/0mwbGOlG9n

— Red Wings Rant (@Red_Wings_Rant) April 7, 2023

“I think he was awesome,” Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta said. “He plays with a lot of edge. He can skate, he has a lot of skill also.”

2022-23 Red Wings Lowlights

On May 1, Edvinsson underwent surgery on his left shoulder. The prognosis is calling for a recovery time of four to six months.

The best case scenario would be he is ready near the start of the Red Wings’ training camp. The worst case scenario would be a return in November. This surgery will also prevent him from having what would be a normal offseason training routine.

This could impact whether he’s ready to begin the season in Detroit or many need some time in Grand Rapids to get his game ready again for the NHL pace.

What Does His Detroit Future Hold?

That old adage that you can’t coach size certainly applies to the 6-foot-6, 209-pound Edvinsson. The bonus with him is the mobility and skill set that comes with his massive frame.

“For his size, he can move really well,” Walman said. “I told everybody I wish I had that size,. It helps a lot as a hockey player. It’ll be good to see him next year and see the strides in his game that he’s going to make.”

Team 33, an independent pro scouting service utilized by some NHL teams is rating Edvinsson as Detroit’s top prospect. At this juncture, the only question seems to be how dominant of a defender can he become at the NHL level?

“I think he’s a dynamic player,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “It’s not every day you see a 6-foot-6 player move like that and have vision and skating ability like that.

“He’s a very exciting prospect. I kind of expect him to really come into camp and battle. I was impressed with how he was physical, how he really understood that he was there to leave an impression and a good impression.”