DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills penned an early-morning article which discusses the importance of prospect development for the Red Wings, as reflected in the comments of GM Steve Yzerman over the course of the Red Wings’ 2023 Summer Development Camp:
Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper, two of Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman’s former first-round draft selections, both made their NHL debuts in the 2022-23 season.
But according to Yzerman, Edvinsson and Kasper still need to earn a roster spot with the Red Wings in 2023-24. Like any player, the pair of highly regarded prospects must prove they belong in Detroit.
“With all these guys, we’ll let their play determine where they go,” Yzerman said on July 3. “But we don’t want to put ourselves in a position that we’re hoping that they make it because if they don’t, then what do we do? You gotta address these needs in the offseason.”
Edvinsson, selected sixth overall by Detroit in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, made his Red Wings debut on March 18 against the Colorado Avalanche and finished last season with two goals in nine NHL games.
The 6-foot-6, 209-pound defenseman spent most of his inaugural North American campaign with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, recording 27 points (5-22-27) in 52 games.
Yzerman said he has high hopes for Edvinsson but does not want to automatically slot the 20-year-old blueliner into a role that he might not be ready for.
“I don’t think it’s beyond a possibility that Simon comes in, has an outstanding training camp and preseason then simply forces his way into the lineup,” Yzerman said. “That’s what every one of us — our organization and fans — would love to see. If that happens, that’s great and we’ll figure it out. But at this stage, to say we’re gonna put him right in the top six, I’m not prepared to say that. I don’t want to do that and that’s unfair to him.”
Continued, with comments regarding Kasper, Michael Rasmussen and Joe Veleno.
