The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler posted his list of the Top 50 NHL Prospects under 23 years of age, discussing his top 50 skaters this morning. Only one Red Wings prospect cracked his list, one Simon Edvinsson:
14. Simon Edvinsson, LHD, 19 (Detroit Red Wings — No. 6, 2021): Things went really well for Edvinsson this year. He played big minutes on a European giant in his first full season at the SHL level, he looked like a force in the short-lived world juniors, and the areas of his game that needed (and still need) some cleaning up got it for the most part.
His ceiling is extremely high and backed by a unique set of traits and skills for a 6-foot-5 player (let alone defenceman). These include his uncharacteristically soft hands and control of the puck, his fearlessness with and without it, and his strong foundational knowledge of how to use his towering frame to defend in a variety of ways (with an active stick, with step-up physicality when opportunities present themselves, on box-outs, etc.).
If he can develop his shot (one of those areas that still needs work), continue to smooth out his game, and make better choices (which he did this year), the potential is there in spades. It was also nice to see him make more play-ending passes and create a ton of chances (he should actually have a couple more goals under his belt) to add to his already-dominant transition game as a confident carrier and transporter.
I hate this cliche but you really can’t teach hands like his at that size. He tries things, he usually pulls them off, and he’s more comfortable handling the puck under pressure than just about any teenage defenceman I’ve scouted (regardless of size). He has also found greater control of his gangly frame (he’s a good skater and always has been but his stride can splay from the knees) and takes up a lot of space defensively. He’s going to be a very good — and different — player if he can maintain his take-charge mentality on both sides of the puck and put it all together at the NHL level.
Wheeler continues (paywall).
Edvinsson’s listed at 6’5″ on some pages and 6’6″ on others, and I’ll definitely agree that he’s got some work to do to “smooth” some rough edges out of his game, especially as he adjusts to the North American rink, but he’s got a borderline arrogance about him that really stands out when he’s carrying the puck, and he’s an excellent skater with size and strength in spades.
Simon told Daniella he’s 199cm (6’6″).
199 is indeed 6’6.”