Red Wings select Eddie Genborg 44th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft

The Detroit Red Wigs have selected forward Eddie Genborg with the 44th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Update: Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Trudeau:

Genborg got second-round grades from most experts (including Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis), but it can be difficult to rank players of his ilk for the simple reason that he will never be a high-end offensive producer in the NHL. That said, he’s also a near-lock to make it to that level thanks to his physicality.

Where so many Day 2 draft picks are talented kids who need another 15 pounds to have a shot, Genborg is already built like a semi at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He will only get bigger and stronger ahead of his arrival in North America.

Genborg hits hard and often on the forecheck, and was already so physically developed in his age-17 season that he logged 28 games against grown men in the SHL for Linkopings HC, albeit without much success on the scoresheet (two points).

He isn’t just a big lug, either. Genborg keeps his feet moving and has some legit two-way chops that could make him a valuable bottom-six contributor in the show rather than an eight-minute-a-night nail gun. While his offense wouldn’t get him drafted in a 5-foot-10 body, he fires the puck hard, moves decently for a big man, and has drawn netfront duty on occasion for Team Sweden’s youth outfits.

There’s a temptation to take a swing on undersized players in the middle rounds and try to land the next Lane Hutson, but the vast majority of those guys will top out in the AHL. While Genborg is a long shot to ever suit up in a top-six role, there is value in the relative certainty that he’ll end up in the NHL with the Red Wings as a handful to play against.

From Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino and Jason Bukala:

Eddie Genborg played goalie until the age of 12. He idolized Henrik Lundqvist before realizing he’d rather score goals than get scored upon. He now patterns his game after Matthew Tkachuk.  

DobberHockey’s Whittaker Heart:

Eddie Genborg, Team Sweden (36)
Genborg is a straight line, physical monster who has shown a great ability to complement two offensively minded players. He finishes hits, gets the puck to more skilled players, and goes to the net. It’s a simple game, one some NHL teams might not be overly enticed by, but I strongly believe he will eventually play in the NHL.

Here’s Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen on Genborg:

“He plays like a battering ram – a blunt instrument who pummels opponents into submission,” Red Line report wrote about Genborn. “Makes thundering hits and is extremely physical – a huge and clean hitter who doesn’t take bad penalties.”

His relentless forechecking intimidates defensemen, according to Red Line Report.

“Hunts pucks relentlessly and finishes all his checks hard. Highly competitive and his hyper physicality causes all sorts of problems and turnovers from opponents,” according to RLR. “Constantly crashes the crease and causes after the whistle scrums. Plays the game hard every single shift and is tough to play against, both mentally and physically, because opponents always know he’s coming. Not a high end skills guy, but consistently plays with speed and power,”

Update: MLive’s Ansar Khan with more on Genborg:

Dobberprospects.com said of Genborg: “A physical forward with a nasty edge, Genborg doesn’t just seek to take the puck away from his opponents: he intends to do it while inflicting as much pain as possible. He lives in front of the net and uses his strength and power to wreak havoc.”

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis weighed in, too:

Eddie Genborg, RW (Linkoping, SHL)

He wants to hit everyone in sight – period. I don’t see much high-end offensive potential but he’s hard to play against, at the very least. He does a lot away from the puck, which is something I value quite a lot. Genborg is absolutely relentless, plays a reliable two-way game and didn’t look out of place in the SHL. I have full belief he’ll become an NHLer one day in a bottom-line role because he can be a menace without getting himself in too much trouble.

Also, from the Athletic’s Corey Pronman:

9. Eddie Genborg, LW, Linköping HC J20 (J20 Nationell)

April 20, 2007 | 6′ 2″ | 205 pounds

Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Genborg took positive steps this season in his development into an important player on Linköping’s junior team and Sweden’s U18 team. He did get a good chunk of games up with the SHL club, too. Genborg plays a likable style. He’s a decent-sized winger who skates well and plays hard. He is quite physical, wins a lot of pucks and creates offense at the net. He uses his speed and skill well to drive wide and get pucks to the middle. Genborg has a decent finishing touch, but doesn’t see the ice very well, and can fight the puck at times. His style gives him a real chance if he can show some offense versus men.

    EliteProspects:

    Ranked #44 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
    Ranked #63 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
    Ranked #43 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
    Ranked #34 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
    Ranked #42 by THN/FERRARI
    Ranked #38 by THN/KENNEDY
    Ranked #99 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
    Ranked #42 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
    Ranked #71 by FCHOCKEY
    Ranked #49 by DAILY FACEOFF
    Ranked #6 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
    Ranked #45 by HPR/MALLOY
    Ranked #53 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
    Ranked #55 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
    Ranked #35 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
    Ranked #52 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
    Ranked #49 by SMAHT SCOUTING

    Published by

    George Malik

    My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, and have worked with MLive and Kukla's Korner. Thank you for reading!