Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Star Forms Bond With Avalanche Icon
Edvinsson befriends former Colorado star Peter Forsberg
There was a time when a Detroit Red Wings player forming a friendship with someone from the Colorado Avalanche would’ve been as likely as the Crips and the Bloods getting together for brunch.
My, how times have changed.
Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson is playing for Sweden in the IIHF World Championship for the first time. The Swedes are off to a 3-0 start. But that’s not the biggest news as far as Edvinsson is concerned.
Simon Edvinsson with a nice gap control and finishes his check. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/0X8rCyVjX7
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 9, 2025
The Detroit star has revealed that he’s become close friends with Swedish hockey icon and former Avalanche superstar Peter Forsberg. Red Wings fans of a certain era will recall through gritted teeth how often the team was tormented by the magic that Forsberg could work on the ice.
“We have mutual friends, so we’ve known each other for a few years now,” Edvinsson told Swedish TV network Viaplay. “We have met a lot in Stockholm, played padel and have a trip that we do as a group.”
Beyond the fact that they are playing on opposite sides of what was once the most bitter of rivalries in the NHL, there’s also a wide gulf in terms of the generation gap. Edvinsson is 22. Forsberg is 51.
“We play pentathlon and then he is on the opposing team, so we call it the generational battle,” Edvinsson joked. “Older against younger. I gather a group and he gathers a group.”
Red Wings Edvinsson Loses Bet
The two even had a playful bet this season on which team would win the season series between the Red Wings and Avalanche. Since Colorado swept both games from Detroit, Forsberg is awaiting a payday from Edvinsson.
“It sucks, that loss sucks,” Edvinsson said. “But what the hell, a bet is a bet. He won it fair and square. Next year I’ll get my revenge on it.”
avalanche @ red wings R2 G6 05/18/1999
Peter Forsberg (5th of playoffs)
(28th playoff goal of career)#GoavsGo pic.twitter.com/rcJsyXJ6xL
— x – random avs goal every day (@avsgoaleveryday) April 27, 2024
Edvinsson won’t say how he he owes Forsberg.
“I will keep it to myself,” Edvinsson said. “I would not have made such a bet if I was not comfortable paying.”
Forsberg has allowed that if Edvinsson were to help the Swedes win the world title, he’ll give the Detroit defender a 50% discount on his debt.
