The Hockey News’s Jacob Stoller posted a list of 5 AHL-playing players who are “ready to make the leap” to the NHL, and he included Simon Edvinsson on his list:
At the tail-end of his 2022-23 campaign, Simon Edvisson appeared destined to grab an NHL job with the Detroit Red Wings for this upcoming season.
The sixth overall pick in 2021 had a strong first season in North America, shining as a top-pairing defender in the AHL with the basement-dwelling Grand Rapids Griffins and faring well in a nine-game NHL stint at the end of the year.
After the Red Wings signed Justin Holl and Shayne Gostisbehere in free agency, the 6-foot-6 defenseman appeared to be on the outside looking in heading into camp. But in the wake of those two signings, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman made a point it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Edvinsson would be returning to the AHL this season.
“Certainly, I don’t think it’s beyond the (realm of) possibility that Simon comes in and has an outstanding training camp, an outstanding pre-season, (and) simply forces his way into the lineup,” Yzerman told reporters in July. “That’s what I think every one of us… would love to see, and if that happens, that’s great, and we’ll figure it out.”
Given how he’s played in the pre-season, Edvinsson could very well force Detroit to keep him on the NHL roster.
In five exhibition games, Edvinsson has recorded one goal and three points while averaging 20:13 in ice time per night. He’s driven 5-on-5 play at a strong rate, with a 57.59 Corsi-for percentage and a 59.87 expected goals-for percentage to show for it.
Continued; Edvinsson is nearly ready for NHL action. He just needs a little finishing in Grand Rapids.
