Prospect focus: Let’s talk about defenseman Simon Edvinsson

As the Yzerplan unfolds, the key to growing the success of this team lies within past and future draft picks and prospects. The Red Wings prospect pool is full of promising young players and Simon Edvinsson, the 2021 NHL Draft 6th overall pick, is standing out from the others. Although he is still overseas in the Swedish Hockey League, one thing is for sure- Detroit can not wait to welcome him home.

Background

Simon Edvinsson is a 6’5” defenseman from Onsala, Sweden who is currently playing for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League at the age of 19. Edvinsson made his SHL debut in the 2020-21 season and has since played approximately 40 games. He began his career with Frölunda HC in the 2018-19 season when he was 16 having previously played for Hanhals IF, Hovas HC, Leksands IF, and IF Mölndal.

So far in the 2021-22 SHL season, Edvinsson has scored one goal and assisted on 12 within 30 games played.

Regarding international tournament play, he has represented Sweden at the World Junior Championships in 2020 (U18) and 2022 (U20). The 2020 World Juniors sent Edvinsson and the Swedish team home with a bronze medal which is one of his career highlights from international championships thus far, while the 2022 WJC was called off early due to COVID concerns.

The season that put Edvinsson’s name on the map was his 2018-19 season when he aided his team in winning the TV-Pucken tournament, which is a Swedish national tournament for boys under 17 years of age. In six games, he tallied two goals and seven assists- over a point per game pace, making him stick out to scouts as a 16 year old full of skill and potential.

For the 2018-19 TV-Pucken tournament, Simon Edvinsson was named the best defenseman of the tournament- a high honor for one of the more prestigious youth hockey tournaments in Sweden.

He signed with Frölunda HC of the SHL after having played with their U18 and U20 teams, bringing him to where he plays today.

A highly-skilled defenseman

Like current Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, Edvinsson is incredibly skilled with puck handling and smooth skating. He rules the blue line and plays a two-way game worth envying all while managing to have clean mitts and agile movements. Sound familiar?

The similarities do not stop there. Another huge strength of Edvinsson’s is timed and tactical hits, something that Seider receives frequent praise for. Although Edvinsson does not put up points frequently, he is a strong carrier of the puck into the offensive zone and can create play opportunities for his team. Picturing a D-line with two different players with their own strengths but so many important commonalities almost feels like a dream.

It does not seem improbable that we could see Edvinsson on the blue line alongside Seider as soon as next season. His style of play seems to fall in line with what Yzerman is looking to build up within this team so there is a good chance that he will at least be given an opportunity to come to training camp in Traverse City.

As for now, Edvinsson will be tearing it up in the SHL alongside fellow Red Wings prospect Elmer Söderblom behind the Frölunda HC crest and the highlight reel hits, plays, and everything in-between will not be stopping anytime soon.