As the Detroit Red Wings were fumbling their way through the month December, the faithful were clamoring for a look at the future of the franchise.
That Christmas wish will be granted in of all places, Newark, New Jersey.
Defenseman Simon Edvinsson is joining the club for their final pre-Christmas game. He was given a recall from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins early Saturday and will play Saturday night on the road against the New Jersey Devils.
The sixth player chosen in the 2021 NHL entry draft, Edvinsson is enjoying a solid sophomore campaign with the Griffins. With 6-10-16 totals through 25 games, he’s leading all Griffins defenders and ranks 19th overall among AHL defensemen. Only three AHL blueliners have scored more goals than Edvinsson. He’s already exceeded last season’s output of five goals as an AHL rookie.
Edvinsson Simplifying His Game
Griffins coach Dan Watson thinks that Edvinsson has simplified his game, while also adding an element of consistency to his performance.
“It’s consistency on a daily basis,” Watson said. “He’s aware of it, he knows it. He’s being dialed in on the simple things, the simple passes and practice, making sure those are always 100%. So for him, it’s being great at simple basically, every day in practice and understanding the intensity that he has to practice with and play with. And, you know, we’ve liked what we’ve seen so far. ”
Edvinsson enjoyed a seven-game point scoring streak from Nov. 18-Dec. 8, the longest such run this season by any Griffins player. He’s been a plus or even player in 16 of 25 games.
“Continuing to grow his game,” was Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde’s recent assessment of Edvinsson’s progress. “Positive reports from him down there, where he’s starting to get a more complete game. There’s less of those egregious mistakes, he’s finding his game. He’s growing the correct way.”
Maatta Out For Red Wings
Detroit defenseman Olli Maatta was hurt in Friday’s 7-6 home-ice shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Leaving in the first period with an upper-body, Lalonde was later confirmning Maatta was out for tonight.
Jake Walman sat out Friday’s game and Lalonde allowed that several defensemen were ailing.
“It’s that time of year,” Lalonde said. “We’ve had a lot of games, some bumps and bruises and some sickness.”
Originally, Lalonde was indicating that Walman would be able to play Saturday. Either that scenario has changed, or he’s planning on dressing seven defensemen against the Devils.
Edvinsson made his NHL debut last season. In nine games with Detroit, he would collect a pair of goals.
Making room for Edvinsson on the 23-player roster, the Red Wings were placing goaltender Alex Lyon on IR.
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