Simon Edvinsson admits true feelings ahead of NHL debut

The Detroit Red Wings will be getting an influx of youth into their lineup for tomorrow's afternoon game at Little Caesars Arena, as highly touted defensive prospect Simon Edvinsson will be making his NHL debut. The move was necessitated thanks to injuries to veteran Ben Chiarot as well as Gustav Lindstrom. 

And as just about every player who has ever suited up for their first game at the NHL level, the towering Swede has admitted to feeling a bit of nervousness. 

“I’m kind of nervous,” he said. “I was nervous when I was driving up here.”

"They called me up here for a reason," Edvinsson continued. "I just wanna play my game, as I have been doing down there for the last couple of games."

The Red Wings selected Edvinsson with the 6th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and envision him being a major part of their future. He was assigned to the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, where he's been getting accustomed to the North American style of play. 

“You have to be physical (in the AHL). It’s the same here (in the NHL),” Edvinsson said. “You need to have good first contact. Otherwise, they’re going to run over you and one mistake it ends up in the net.”

He added: “I feel like I wasn’t quite ready to start up here. I had a lot of things to improve. I feel like Grand Rapids has been a good place to improve that stuff.”

In 55 games played with the Griffins so far this season, Edvinsson has tallied five goals with 22 assists. And you can bet that the Red Wings are understandably looking forward to seeing what he can do. 

“I’m personally extremely excited,” Lalonde said. “I think young players playing, getting opportunities, is part of the process.

“I think everyone wants to give a little bit extra to help him out.”