Detroit Red Wings Face Crucial Offseason Priority in Locking Up Simon Edvinsson

Being a Swedish defenseman drafted by an organization that benefited from two decades of Nicklas Lidstrom’s excellence inherently invites lofty expectations.

Is that fair? Not necessarily. Lidstrom himself required years of development before becoming known as “The Perfect Human.” In 1988, he went unselected in his first year of draft eligibility, and the following year, 52 players were chosen before Red Wings GM Jim Devellano selected him in the third round.

It took two additional years for Lidstrom to transition from Sweden to Detroit. He was 27 when he captured the first of his four Stanley Cups and 31 when he earned his first Norris Trophy.

In contrast, Simon Edvinsson’s professional path has progressed rapidly within a franchise traditionally known for allowing prospects additional time to develop. At 23, the 6-foot-6 native of Kungsbacka has already completed his second full NHL season and secured a spot on Detroit’s top defensive pairing next to Moritz Seider.

That represents a remarkable trajectory for a large defenseman, and Edvinsson achieved it this season while managing a right-knee injury that required two surgeries.

“No one plays 100 percent out there,” he said with a shrug at season’s end. “I’m going to work even harder this summer to really get my body and everything as good as I can get it.”

After earning a bronze medal with Tre Kronor in his senior national team debut at the 2025 World Championship, Edvinsson was in a strong mindset before learning he would require surgery prior to the campaign.

“I felt really good coming into the season,” he said. “Starting off with a surgery, it’s not easy.”

Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson Named Potential Offer Sheet Candidate By NHL Insider
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman speculated that Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson could potentially receive an offer sheet from the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.

Edvinsson returned in time for Detroit’s final two preseason games and resumed his role as a high-minute, two-way defender and penalty-killing mainstay.

For Edvinsson and the team, the year opened positively. The Wings posted an 8-4-0 record in October and led the Atlantic Division by mid-December.

But in late January, Edvinsson’s knee was aggravated. This time, he was unable to play through it and required further surgery. During the seven games he missed before the Olympics, Detroit went 2-3-2.

When the NHL schedule resumed in late February, Edvinsson pushed himself to help the team pursue its first postseason berth in 10 years.

“I tried to fight my way back, both mentally and physically, in a short time,” he said. “Since the Olympic break, not 100 percent, but nobody plays 100 percent. It’s something I had to deal with.”

Detroit finished 8-12-4 down the stretch and totaled 92 points—its best regular-season output in a decade—but a 10th consecutive playoff absence left a disappointing impression throughout the organization.

“It’s the worst feeling you have not to go into the playoffs,” Edvinsson said. “And you’re so close. Everybody works so hard. We really need to figure that out.”

Each year, the young core assembled by GM Steve Yzerman since his 2019 return has become more entrenched as the Red Wings’ foundation. Lucas Raymond, the 2020 first-round pick, is emerging as a clutch scorer, while Seider and Edvinsson have quickly formed one of the league’s premier defense pairings.

Seider, physically imposing and tactically sharp, has entered Norris Trophy contention after winning the Calder in 2022. Edvinsson, four inches taller and roughly 12 pounds heavier at 222, serves as the left-side shutdown presence.

It’s the worst feeling you have not to go into the playoffs. We really need to figure that out- Simon Edvinsson

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The duo developed chemistry immediately.

“Even last year, we built that connection when it comes to playing together,” Edvinsson said. “For me to come in and find my game next to him, it’s been pretty easy. It’s been good for my growth – to watch him play and, honestly, learn from him as well.”

Edvinsson’s offensive game also shows untapped potential. With almost no power-play time, he recorded nine goals last season, including two game-winners. Across the past two years, his 53 even-strength points are just one fewer than Seider’s 54, despite playing 14 fewer games.

As July neared, Edvinsson and Detroit continued negotiating a new contract following his entry-level deal. The team clearly views him as a future core piece; reports indicated the Red Wings declined to include him in a proposed trade for Quinn Hughes last winter.

Will Edvinsson reach Lidstrom’s elite level as he matures? That is a difficult standard. But the Red Wings have a special asset if he continues simply being Simon Edvinsson.

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