Shedding his shackles, Detroit Red Wings Simon Edvinsson shines

Watching the Detroit Red Wings was a roller coaster ride for so many reasons. 

I’m not sure which was more unappealing. The sounds that permeated my eardrums while watching the Detroit Red Wings versus the Pittsburgh Penguins or the smells that engulfed my nostrils.

The TV personnel were all too eager to cheer on their hometown team, err I mean provide a minimally biased feed for fans from everywhere to enjoy. Meanwhile, Baloo, the blue merle yodeling build-a-bear bernedoodle who so graciously joined the watch party, assaulted the entire room. I’d think it was safe to breathe again, only to find the horrid smell continued without repents.

Just as I figured the Detroit Red Wings were headed that way, much to the enthrallment of the TNT cast, Simon Edvinsson came in like the wild man he truly is. My favorite part of the entire sequence wasn’t even the goal, the deflation of the Sidney Crosby fanboy club, or the brief moment that I forgot about the smells, but the bouncing shoulders of Edvinsson as he celebrated his beautiful goal.

Even after years of playing with him, Jonatan Berggren was even surprised by the move Edvinsson made.

Simon Edvinsson, the untamed stallion, delivered a fantastical goal for the Detroit Red Wings 

In some of the first games we attended for the Grand Rapids Griffins, my sister thought Edvinson was a forward. It’s understandable, especially when it’s overtime or on the power play Edvinsson is very fluid.

Fluid in skating, positioning, and role on the team.

He can do whatever, whenever, however, he feels at any moment in time. It’s enchanting at times, so long as he doesn’t get carried away.

Since joining the Detroit Red Wings at the end of last season, Edvinsson has played well overall. Some games or shifts might be better than others, but for the most part, he’s performed better than I feared and as well as I had hoped. Maybe he hasn’t blown my socks completely off yet, but that’s only because I know he’s going to bring so much more to the table in the upcoming games. With his specialized skillset, I reckon it might take half a season or possibly a full one for Edvinsson to feel fully comfortable and confident to show off what makes him truly unique.

Although I usually prefer a veteran defense partner for a young player, having Moritz Seider as a partner isn’t bad. In fact, it’s great in this scenario.

Realistically, there aren’t another two defensemen on this roster who should play against the opposition’s best. It’s not a slight against the other defensemen on the Detroit Red Wings roster, but things already challenge them enough. Instead of spreading the wealth, having 20-25 minutes of reliable defensemen who have the ability to tread water (and, in the future, possibly create opportunities with the opposition’s best on the ice) is most important.

Edvinsson really hasn’t played with a more reliable and loyal partner than Seider. He played with Albert Johansson with regularity last season in the American Hockey League (AHL), which was fun and they make a great team, but Seider has a little more oomph. Johansson tries, just like Seider, but the big man is a bit more effective. Edvinsson, though, seems like he can play with a variety of defensive partners. Whether he’s carrying the heavy load and covering for his defensive partners or is the guy meant to shine bright like the North Star, Edvinsson can make magic happen on the ice.

I think the bigger impact on the Detroit Red Wings lineup is the way Edvinsson impacts Seider. 

While this pairing might not last forever, or even much longer, Seider has had time to play with someone of the same caliber. Not often do players find that (especially on the backend) with compatible skills.

Neither player seems better or worse than the other. They complement each other well and bring out great qualities in each other’s games. In a lot of ways, they push each other too. Edvinsson isn’t ever satisfied with his on-ice performance. Neither is Seider.

Throughout Seider’s career, he’s had offensive prowess. Since his National Hockey League (NHL) career began, he hasn’t had much time to do anything except catch his breath before going in for another round of treading water. Now, Seider gets to reignite his love of the offensive side of the game. Also, he gets to learn and watch his defensive partner who does things I’ve never seen any player do (much less a defenseman).

Seider is a brilliant mind and seems to learn like a superhuman computer. Anything that he learns from Edvinsson will be gravy.

I’m also interested to see if we start getting an anything you can do, I can do better-type of situation with the duo. Not in a toxic way, but one that helps both explore their potential as they learn to control the game (not just tread water).

As the lineup is bolstered with better players (mainly from within the organization), the two will only see even more success (no matter if they’re on the same pairing or not).

Together, Seider and Edvinsson boast a Corsi for percentage of 51.98%, an expected goals for percentage (xGF%) of 56.43% after 15 games played with a high danger chances for percentage (HDCF%) of 61.90%, and in those 15 games they played a188:20 combined time on ice minutes (the most of any Detroit Red Wings pairing). They lead all defensive pairs for the Detroit Red Wings with more than 10 games played together. 

The limit is endless with this pairing and I’m glad I get to have a front-row seat to watch them develop into the superstars they will become.