MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses the successes of the Red Wings’ “youth movement” this morning, spotlighting Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, Marco Kasper and Jonatan Berggren’s strong play under coach Todd McLellan:
“You get excited about your first-round draft picks, all your draft picks,” McLellan said. “You pick them and they come and you’re excited about them. You don’t see a lot of negative aspects in their game. And then they get here and we kind of figure them out a little bit, formulate a plan for them.
“Some develop quicker than others, physically or mentally, and then when they finally get here, you hope that they can fit quickly, that they can find ways to be productive. Not always based on points. But be productive in contributing to a game and if you can be winning while they do that, then I think the process moves a little bit quicker. It does take time and for as much as you try to hurry it, you can’t.”
The Red Wings (21-19-4), 8-1-0 in their past nine, visit Tampa Bay tonight (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).
Many fans surely were disappointed that Edvinsson, the 6-6 defenseman drafted sixth overall in 2021, played most of last season in Grand Rapids. The extra development time was beneficial. He’s averaging more than 20 minutes, has 17 points despite not playing on the power play, has a plus-8 rating and has been equally effective paired with Moritz Seider, Jeff Petry or Johansson.
Johansson was the odd-man out of the lineup much of the season before being thrust into the lineup after Petry was injured Jan. 2. His first career goal Jan. 10 vs. Chicago proved to be the game-winner and he logged a career-high 18:02 in Thursday’s 5-2 win at Florida.
“Get a couple games in a row helps the confidence for sure,” Johansson said. “Makes it, I wouldn’t say easier, but you’re always in a game mode and tempo. It’s easier when you know where you’re going, playing couple games in a row. Kind of hard to be in and then out and then in again. You want to be in the flow and in games.”
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