Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen ranked 10 rookie and/or European free agents’ chances of earning spots on the Red Wings’ opening-night roster:
1.Defenseman Simon Edvinsson (sixth overall in 2021): The Tampa Bay Lightning already had Victor Hedman when the Tampa Bay Lightning hired Steve Yzerman. But Yzerman had to draft his own Hedman once he came to Detroit. Edvinsson is a 6-foot-6 defender who hasn’t yet explored his offensive side. The Red Wings are not handing him a spot, but they are expecting Edvinsson to earn a place on the roster.
Chances of being a Red Wing on Opening Night: Darn Good
2. Right Wing Jonatan Berggren ( 33rd overall in 2018): Berggren improved significantly last season in Grand Rapids when he put up 21 goals, and added 43 assists, or 64 points in 70 game. His confidence expanded as the season wore on. The question is where would he fit? Is he ready enough to claim a spot in the top six?
Chances of being a Red Wing on Opening Night: Not totally out of the question
3. Left Wing Elmer Soderblom (159th overall in 2019): If you look at Soderblom’s history, he needs time at a new level before he begins to find his comfort zone. He may need time in Grand Rapids just to figure out how he needs to play in North America. But his 6-foot-8 size, long reach and hands around the net give him a better shot than most. The Red Wings are intrigued by him. If he looks sharp in training camp and scores in preseason, Steve Yzerman might keep him.
Chances of being a Red Wing on Opening Night: Not totally out of the question
Continued; I think that Edvinsson’s chances are a little lower given the roster crunch on defense, and that Soderblom may have an edge as he’s a winger…But I don’t expect any of the Wings’ young (or not-so-young) rookies to make the roster unless they can play among the “top nine” forwards or “top four” on defense.
