The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed an evening notebook in which he discusses more highlights of Steve Yzerman’s pre-training camp press conference, and among Kulfan’s topics of interest are Yzerman’s remarks regarding the Red Wings’ younger players:
Forward Jonatan Berggren, 22, had 21 goals and 43 assists with the Griffins, and could be in consideration for an NHL roster spot with a good training camp.
“Jonatan had an outstanding year,” Yzerman said. “He adjusted well. I saw him in Detroit last week and he’s in excellent shape. He quietly went about his business (last season) and did well. I’m very interested to see him in the preseason. He’s an interesting one. He’s worked real hard and I’m real happy with his attitude and determination. He’s one for all of us to follow closely.”
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson, 19, the Wings’ 2021 first-round draft pick, will be in the running for a roster spot with the Wings. But Yzerman stressed Edvinsson’s age and North American pro inexperience are factors.
“Moritz (Seider) had the benefit of playing a year in the AHL (with Grand Rapids) and going over during the pandemic to Sweden and got an extra year of development before he stepped in,” Yzerman said. “Simon has a good chance, but I can’t sit here and definitively say he’ll be in the lineup on opening night.”
Yzerman wants to make sure Edvinsson is playing regularly this season, and playing in different situations.
“I don’t want him in and out of the lineup and not getting an opportunity on special teams, at least of the units,” Yzerman said. “We’ll figure out which level he’s ready for.”
Continued; we forget about Jonatan Berggren at our peril!
