This entry is part of a series where Octopus Thrower is slinging out player grades faster than lightning.
Of all the things, the Detroit Red Wings are in desperate need of a defender capable of handling tough minutes was a priority. Moritz Seider is a talent who has carried more than his share of hard minutes, but it's clear that he needs help.
Veteran defensemen weren't stepping up, leaving Seider as the guy who was out on the ice for extended shifts, starting in the defensive zone, with a defense partner he had to lug up the ice.
It wasn't a recipe for success, and this season, the wear and tear finally started to show in Seider's game. Fortunately, help on the blue line was delivered this season in the form of a guy playing in his first full National Hockey League (NHL) season.
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson killed it in his first full NHL season
Silky smooth Simon Edvinsson is a hypnotist on ice. His reach and hockey IQ set him apart from the rest of the Detroit Red Wings’ blue line. Edvinsson can be a bit overexuberant at times, leading to inopportune pinches or questionable breakout choices. When he connects, though, Edvinsson can be a quarterback on ice.
Coming into the season, Detroit Red Wings fans expected Edvinsson to hold his own as a second-pairing defenseman bare minimum. The fans at the super high end of the spectrum wanted Edvinsson to play with Moritz Seider on the first defense pairing, with all the bells and whistles that come with the role (starting day one).
In reality, Edvinsson was given training wheels with a defense partner named Jeff Petry. Although many fans (including myself) questioned the duo, it worked out okay. Edvinsson helped stabilize Petry. Seemingly at the expense of his own game, but it didn’t hamper his development.
Mid-season coaches felt comfortable enough to put Edvinsson with Seider—giving fans what they all wanted.
Edvinsson and Seider did not disappoint.
Ranking seventh in the league, the duo faced the stiffest competition the NHL could throw their way. Both players reveled in the challenge.
It wasn’t only Seider delivering on the heavy lifting either. Here’s a look at the December 2024 JFresh Stat Card:
Edvinsson, in his first full NHL season, was incredible. There were times his consistency waned or people had questions about his decision-making, but Edvinsson will learn.
Grade: A+
The expectations that I had for Edvinsson were sky high. For his first full season in the NHL, especially given how long it took him to adjust to the American Hockey League (AHL) level, Edvinsson provided the steady defense we needed all season. Albeit with the flair that I have come to love with Edvinsson’s game.