Right on Track
Simon Edvinsson
What if’s plague my mind. For an unhealthy amount of time, I think of what would have happened with a lot of these prospects.
The fact that I could argue either way for Simon Edvinsson makes me lean toward right on track.
He could have played in the NHL all season, but particularly after January, his game really took off and he might have seen more growth in the NHL than he did in the AHL. I think it was a missed opportunity, but I don’t think his game or growth suffered being in the AHL. Though a small difference, I think if a player still grows in a league outside of the NHL, then it’s not over-ripening. It’s just not ideal for the prospect (or the Detroit Red Wings).
Edvinsson played with confidence at both levels, but seemed to be a bit more comfortable at the AHL-level (understandably so).
In the NHL, he played regular minutes, but I think he was under-utilized (he should have had more penalty kill time and on a power play that struggled to find the back of the net, trying a wild stallion like Edvinsson might have helped kick start things).
While playing in the AHL, he was head coach Dan Watson’s go-to defenseman. Out in all situations and seemed to play every other shift most nights.
In the playoffs, I would have liked to have seen more confidence from Edvinsson, but he showed well overall.
Nothing is certain with this Detroit Red Wings team, but it’s more likely than not that Edvinsson plays his first full season in the NHL this year.
If that’s the case, Edvinsson is right on track in my book. If he starts anywhere else, I think he’s being over-ripened.
Carter Mazur
I love the love Detroit Red Wings fans have for Carter Mazur.
Before he even plays his first NHL game, he’s already a fan-favorite. He might even make a couple say, “Tyer Bertuzzi, who dat?”
In reality, he’s a different player than Bertuzzi. His grit and protectiveness are some of his more fun tools for fans to watch.
However, there is an underlying skill level, when coupled with his work ethic, that allows for his game to take flight. He can not only keep up with highly skilled players, but can make things happen with his own shot and passing abilities. As importantly, he’s not afraid to do the dirty work to make plays happen–especially getting the puck back.
There are still things Mazur has to work on before wearing the Winged Wheel in the regular season.
The most important thing, he still needs to bulk up. More often than not, I’m not concerned about a player’s size, but in the case of Mazur and his style of play, it’s a necessary evil.
Once he gets stronger, it should help with lowering the risk of injuries and help him in completing his mission (getting the puck back and causing mayhem on the ice).
Marco Kasper
As much as I would have liked to see Marco Kasper wreaking havoc on the NHL, I think it was better to keep him in the NHL last season.
Toward the end of the season, I wish that he could have played one or two games in place of a guy like Austin Czarnik, who seemed to struggle a bit down the stretch just to see. Also, I think it would have been a nice reward as Kasper played incredibly well from the midway point of the season on, I’m not sure there was a more consistent player. Sebastian Cossa might have tied him, but I’m not sure that he outplayed Kasper.
I think he’ll be NHL bound sooner than later, but he’s likely to take over the first line center duties in the Grand Rapids Griffins lineup. Ideally, he will be the Edvinsson of the forward group (play in all situations, and be the go-to guy on offense).
Of course, there will be some competition. Nate Danielson comes to my mind, but Kasper has tenure and unless he gives Watson a reason not to, Kasper is likely the number one guy. Danielson should slot in nicely as a second line center.