Detroit Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson set to take on growing role on defense

TRAAVERSE CITY — Avocados need no hype — they’re delicious — but Simon Edvinsson gave the tasty treat his thumbs up, saying it looked bigger than ever.

Edvinsson has been a big part of the Detroit Red Wings since they drafted the 6-foot-6 Swede sixth overall in 2021 at 198 pounds. He weighed 225 pounds in camp this fall, and the expectations for the 21-year-old match his size.

“I see him being one of our top four players to start the season,” coach Derek Lalonde said Friday. “With his overall play, from Grand Rapids to what he gave us at the end of last season, where he was put in there with us at the end, we see him in a similar role.”

It’s a role that, based on the first few days of training camp, Edvinsson will fill in partnership with Jeff Petry, a 937-game NHL veteran.

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“It can be easy to dismiss Petey at times,” Lalonde said. “He’s pretty straightforward, pretty predictable. That’s the vision. He could be a perfect mentor in this relationship.”

It’s a pairing that suits Edvinsson, who sees the 36-year-old as more than a defensive partner.

“He’s a great guy, we have a great connection on and off the ice,” Edvinsson said. “We go to dinner together, we do things together. We go fishing. It’s just those little things that allow you to have a good connection with your partner. Of course, we talk a lot on the ice about what we can do better, what we can do differently. We just feel the same way and that’s what’s nice to have.”

The Wings have one more day of practice in Traverse City, then the game against the Red and White on Sunday. Moritz Seider, who ended a contract impasse Thursday with a seven-year, $59.85 million deal, is scheduled to fly from his native Germany to Detroit on Saturday, so he will miss the Traverse City portion of the camp. He is expected to practice in Detroit on Tuesday.

In the meantime, Justin Holl has skated in Seider’s place alongside Ben Chiarot, and Olli Määttä has skated with newcomer Erik Gustafsson. Once Seider arrives, Holl plans to pair with Albert Johansson, a 2019 draft pick who will be in the spotlight during the exhibition season as the Wings figure out what they have in Johansson, who is no longer waiver-exempt.

Edvinsson’s sample size grew last spring, when he parlayed a mid-March call-up into a compelling argument that he’s ready to be a major part of Detroit’s lineup.

“I hope he can even eat minutes if he’s healthy one night,” Lalonde said. “If he gets more minutes, he’ll get more minutes. We’re going to play to win, and if he’s the guy who gets those minutes to help us, he’ll get them.”

Derek Lalonde to play important role for Detroit Red Wings’ Simon Edvinsson

Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde on September 20, 2024 in Traverse City, Michigan.

As with all young players, Edvinsson’s consistency will be scrutinized. But Edvinsson has a knack for getting the puck out and finding ways to keep the play alive just long enough to create a scoring opportunity.

“He’s got a lot of potential,” JT Compher said. “You can see the physicality right away. He’s a good thinker. A young defenseman in this league is going to have some growing pains, it’s a tough position to play in this league. With what he can do, he’s probably going to be asked to do a lot. But he’s a good player, a hard worker, loves the game, has a lot of confidence. I think there’s a lot of good hockey skills in that guy.”

Edvinsson played 14 games with the Wings late in the season, after appearing in two games around Christmas. He had a goal, an assist and an even rating.

“For a big guy, his skating is incredible,” Alex DeBrincat said. “He’s got such a long, active stick that it’s hard to beat him on the sides. He plays hard. He’s got that nasty side that can really throw guys off. He’s not a lot of fun to play against in practice.”

That’s even more true now that Edvinsson has gained muscle after a summer of eating and training.

“There were a lot of lawyers,” he said. “So I’m a little heavier and I’m OK with that.”

Contact Helene St. James at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.

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His latest book, “The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings: A Curated History of the Red Wings,” will be available in October 2024. His books, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft” and “ The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Detroit Red Wings” are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies are available via his email.