DHN’s Allen on Simon Edvinsson’s likely playing time during the exhibition season

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen filed an afternoon notebook regarding both Tyler Bertuzzi’s status as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, as well as coach Derek Lalonde’s take on how much Simon Edvinsson will play over the course of the Red Wings’ 8 preseason games:

“We plan on playing him a lot, maybe even more than that projected four or five (games),” [Red Wings coach Derek] Lalonde said. “We’ll see how camp goes. Even the three rookie games were very important. We want to give him a ton of looks. The
biggest thing for him is (get) hard practice reps. I think he’s had a few of those. He has handled them well. He has been exposed a couple of times. (That’s) understandable.”

Lalonde made it clear that Edvinsson doesn’t have any guarantees of making the team. And Edvinsson knows that. He said Thursday it would be “understandable” if he is assigned Grand Rapids.

“The beauty is if he’s playing with us on opening night, we’d be very excited,” Lalonde said. “(But) I think we’d also be very content if he’s not playing with us and in Grand Rapids on opening night.”

Lalonde said the Red Wings will communicate that to Edvinsson.

“Like every young man, they want to make this team out of every camp,” Lalonde said. “But we’ll temper his expectations and we’ll manage that going forward.”

Continued

Link of note: 39 more Guralnick images from training camp

The Detroit News’s David Guralnick posted 66-image and 65-image photo galleries from days 1 and 2 of the Red Wings’ 2022 training camp, and today, he’s posted a relatively meager 39-image gallery.

IN PHOTOS: Training camp continues for the Red Wings in Traverse City https://t.co/MQjQrJhja0— Detroit News Sports (@detnews_sports) September 24, 2022

Prospect round-up, Europe: Kasper 1 goal, Wallinder 23:16 played in Rogle loss; Tuomisto plays 20:42 in TPS Turku win

Of Red Wings prospect-related note on Saturday:

In the Finnish Liiga, Antti Tuomisto finished even with 4 shots in 20:42 played as TPS Turku won 2-1 in overtime over Lukko;

In the SHL, Liam Dower Nilsson finished at -1 with 2 shots in 6:25 played as Frolunda HC lost 3-2 in overtime to Malmo;

In Rogle BK’s 5-2 loss to Skelleftea AIK:

Marco Kasper scored a goal, finishing even with 3 shots and winning 22% of his faceoffs in 15:04 played;

Continue reading Prospect round-up, Europe: Kasper 1 goal, Wallinder 23:16 played in Rogle loss; Tuomisto plays 20:42 in TPS Turku win

A bit of praise for Simon Edvinsson as ‘one to watch’

Daily Faceoff’s Colton Davies picked one prospect to watch from each and every one of the NHL’s 32 teams this upcoming season, and here’s who he picked from the Red Wings:

Detroit Red Wings: Simon Edvinsson: Edvinsson was listed in the honorable mentions section of my top five Calder Trophy candidates piece. The monster Swedish defender uses his large and burly frame to knock pucks loose and shut down opposing attackers with ease. He found success at the SHL level last season. As an 18-year-old he registered 19 points in 44 games with Frölunda HC. Despite a shaky World Juniors performance, Edvinsson should have minimal issues adjusting his game to the pro level. He is a technically skilled defenseman who uses his good skating and mobility to play a strong game in his zone. He is poised and smooth on the blueline, utilizing his strong gap control and reach to gain possession from opposing attackers. Look for Edvinsson to become a staple on the Red Wings’ defense. 

Continued; it’s not a question of whether or if Simon Edvinsson makes the Red Wings’ roster; it’s a “when” situation.

Khan: Vrana’s ready to finally play a full season for Detroit

MLive’s Ansar Khan filed an article discussing Jakub Vrana’s excitement regarding what will probably be his first full campaign with the Red Wings:

Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde believes speed is one of his team’s biggest strengths, the ability to play a fast, up-tempo game. Jakub Vrana likes hearing that. It’s right up his alley.

“We want to be on top of teams and we have a young team that can skate,” Vrana said. “We have a fast team and I think the system we have can also help us win a lot of pucks and be on top of teams and have a lot of puck possession.”

Speed and scoring are staples of Vrana’s game. The Red Wings are eager to benefit from his skills for a full season after he missed the first five months last season due to shoulder surgery, after being acquired at the trade deadline the previous season.

Vrana is excited to be experiencing his first training camp with the Red Wings and optimistic about the team’s direction following a series of offseason moves that included the acquisitions of Andrew Copp and David Perron, his potential linemates.

“The excitement on my side, I can’t describe it,” Vrana said. “Last season being out a long time, the previous season we had a shortened season (due to the pandemic). I wasn’t able to play a full season in a few years, so I’m really excited.”

Continued