Connect with us

Detroit Red Wings

Edvinsson Displaying Promise in Red Wings Debut

Rookie Detroit rearguard made his NHL debut on Saturday

Published

on

Simon edvinsson, red wing
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson was turning in a solid display during his Red Wings debut.

Suggesting that his NHL debut was a comfortable experience, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson was a glimmering bright spot in a dark afternoon for the team.

The future is not now for the Red Wings, but if there is to be hope that there will be a future for the franchise, it centers around the continued evolution of players like Edvinsson.

In his first taste of NHL action, Edvinsson was logging one shot and two penalty minutes in 15:34 of ice time. At 20 years, 41 days of age he became the youngest Red Wings defenseman to make his NHL debut since Jiri Fischer (19 years, 74 days) on Oct. 13, 1999 vs. St. Louis.

“It was good,” was Edvinsson’s assessment of his first NHL game. “I felt comfortable. Of course there’s small things I need to do in the system to really feel everything is smooth.

“I think it felt better, especially in the third. Of course I’ve got to build on that, keep developing. It was a nervous beginning of course. Awesome to go out there and play the game. It sucks to lose, but It was a great experience. It was awesome to play in front of the fans.”

Edvinsson Impresses Red Wings

In Detroit’s 5-1 loss to the reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, there were clear indications of why Edvinsson was tabbed sixth overall by Detroit in the 2021 NHL entry draft. He stepped into Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon with a stiff body check. Edvinsson won a key puck battle in the vicinity of the Detroit net with Colorado forward Logan O’Connor, corraling the puck and clearing it to safety.

“I thought he did good,” Red Wings Derek Lalonde said. “I’d have to look back closely. Obviously, he was on for the rush against goal. I’ll have to see how he handled it. But for the most part you didn’t see the egregious turnover. He was physical, he had some chances following the rush.

“For a first game, against a team like that, I thought he did really well. It gets me excited, optimistic, if you will, going forward.”

Building For The Future

Slowly but steadily, Detroit is infiltrating the roster with an influx of young talent, players who figure to be part of the core of the rebuild. Defenseman Moritz Seider (2019) and Lucas Raymond (2020), both of them first-round picks of Detroit GM Steve Yzerman, are well into their second full NHL seasons. Seider skated in his 150th career NHL game on Saturday.

Others like fowards Michael Rasmussen, Jonatan Berggren and Joe Veleno are establishing their presence as everyday NHLers who can be counted on by the team.

“I thought he played well,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said of Edvinsson’s performance. “You obviously see his size, his skating ability. If we’re gonna take a step as a team, himself and a lot of the younger players are getting a big opportunity in the last 14-15 games here.”

FanDuel Sportsbook Promo #1

ALL STATES WHERE LEGAL

GET THE APP
SIGNUP BONUS$1000 No Sweat Bet
$1000 No Sweat Bet
BET NOW

Saturday was the first step in what both Edvinsson and the Red Wings hope will be a long journey together. One that will culminate with the Red Wings situated atop the NHL standings again.

“I kind of know what to expect and what people expect from me,” Edvinsson said. “I’ll just need to keep developing from here. I felt a lot better this game than I did in the preseason.

“We need to develop as a team and I need to develop as a player here. I just want to go from here and keep getting better.”

Welcome to your new home for Detroit Red Wings breaking news, analysis and opinion. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and don't forget to subscribe to DHN+ for all of our members-only content from Kevin Allen, Bob Duff and the National Hockey Now network.
4 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
RWHockey13

Wonderful.

AKscott

Edvinsson looked ready for regular NHL action. Pretty good day for goalie prospect Carter Gylander as well, winning the ECAC championship, after backstopping Colgate to a dbl OT win against #1 Quinnipiac yesterday and a 3-2 win over #2 Havard today.

TAV

That is all they are looking for I think. Fans might be looking for more but they likely are just checking to see if he looks to be ready for next year in the NHL. He still has a few more games but then he will also have all summer if some rough spots still anyway. Pretty sure he is on the team next year even if not as a big a role as Seider played as a rookie. Don’t need him to win the Calder I just hope he keeps getting better.

Tom Rady

TAV I think your right. I do think next yr they only want him here next year if he is playing a regular shift every game. He can’t be in Det and sit out. If he is not they want him in GR playing every nite. That their policy with every young player. But your right so far so good

Sign Up!

Get the very best in Detroit Red Wings and NHL breaking news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.