Full Press Hockey’s Michael Augello picks pairs of players from Atlantic Division teams who might serve as “breakout” performers this upcoming season. Do you agree with his choices for the Red Wings?
Simon Edvinsson – A Swedish defenseman with a big wingspan, Edvinsson was selected sixth overall in 2021 and played a full year in the SHL before coming to North America. Last season, the 20-year-old scored 27 points with Grand Rapids and got a nine-game look with the Wings, but GM Steve Yzerman’s loading up with veteran blueliners may delay his road to regular NHL playing time.
Marco Kasper – The Austrian-born Kasper played most of the year with Rogle of the SHL and finished the season making his NHL debut. It does not seem that the Wings are following their normal practice of over-patience with the 19-year-old, who could start the season in Detroit with a great camp.
Continued; I’ve got a feeling that both Edvinsson and Kasper will start the season in Grand Rapids, but how they play over the course of their time with Grand Rapids (and injuries, of course) will determine how much time they spend in the AHL.
It’s not going to be particularly long for either of them.
