Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Red Wings Edvinsson Not Only High-End Prospect Starting in AHL

Red Wings D Simon Edvinsson is among several top prospects starting out in the AHL this season

Published

12 months ago

October 13, 2022

Bob Duff

As the sixth player chosen in the 2021 NHL entry draft, there was significant hope that Simon Edvinsson would be cracking the opening-night roster of the Detroit Red Wings.

Instead of suiting up for the Red Wings on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens, Edvinsson will be launching his North American pro career at Van Andel Arena, playing the AHL season opener for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Some short clips of Simon Edvinsson's play in preseason vs. Pittsburgh #LGRW pic.twitter.com/SwVycMXQDj

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 5, 2022

“There were moments in camp you could see he could have been ready for Day One here and there’s other games . . .” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said of Edvinsson. “I just think it’s more consistency.

“It’s hard to do it every night. I think he showed that in the preseason. He had some ups and downs in his game. Again, very good camp from him. Very excited on where he can be and what he can be.”

Edvisson isn’t the only high-end prospect who will be honing their craft in the AHL. Center William Eklund, the seventh player chosen in the 2021 draft by the San Jose Sharks, will be skating with the San Jose Barracuda.

“They want me to play a lot of minutes and be that guy,” Eklund told San Jose Hockey Now.

Former Michigan Wolverine Thomas Bordeleau, the 38th overall selection in 202o, was also sent to the Barracuda by the Sharks. Another ex-Wolverine, center Johnson, was sent to the AHL Cleveland Monsters by Columbus. He was the fifth overall pick in 2021.

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