RD Simon Edvinsson - Grand Rapids Griffins., AHL (2021, 6th, DET)

[bsu]

I wanted the ducks to take him or Eklund.... Edvinsson is gonna be a stud him and seider will be scary to play against for the next 10 years.... Edvinsson is a much better prospect than broberg imo.

 

[Pavels Dog]

No he isn't. I had him ranked as the best defender in last year's draft after watching him play. Other posters I quoted above knew that too it seems. Edvinsson's talents were clearly evident to those who actually watched him closely. He has the highest potential of the defenders drafted last year. I'd say Luke is second(I had him first before watching Edvinsson).

Most people, even those who watched him closely, are very surprised by his performance. Frölunda coach Roger Rönnberg has been quoted as saying many variations of surprise at how good he's been. Experts have talked about it being one of the biggest breakouts in Swedish hockey in a long time. Etc.
I think maybe there was a best case scenario that you saw, but it certainly wasn't expected that a kid who wasn't really good enough for SHL last season would suddenly be a top pairing and arguably among the best D-men in the league this season.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Most people, even those who watched him closely, are very surprised by his performance. Frölunda coach Roger Rönnberg has been quoted as saying many variations of surprise at how good he's been. Experts have talked about it being one of the biggest breakouts in Swedish hockey in a long time. Etc.
I think maybe there was a best case scenario that you saw, but it certainly wasn't expected that a kid who wasn't really good enough for SHL last season would suddenly be a top pairing and arguably among the best D-men in the league this season.

Don't know what to tell you. Some of us have an eye for talent.

Edvinsson's performance in u18 was clear of his all-around ability and impact. Flashes of overall ability. He's similar to Sanderson where many overlooked him due to his strong defensive game and developing offensive one. Edvinsson's knock is his work ethic--for a guy who has stellar skillset, he leaves a lot to be desired some times, that was the only red flag I denoted(and why his numbers dropped a bit pre-draft maybe?). Everything else is there. He was excellent in the qualification games I saw.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Don't know what to tell you. Some of us have an eye for talent.

Edvinsson's performance in u18 was clear of his all-around ability and impact. Flashes of overall ability. He's similar to Sanderson where many overlooked him due to his strong defensive game and developing offensive one. Edvinsson's knock is his work ethic--for a guy who has stellar skillset, he leaves a lot to be desired some times, that was the only red flag I denoted(and why his numbers dropped a bit pre-draft maybe?). Everything else is there. He was excellent in the qualification games I saw.

Huh?

I was pretty critical of Edvinsson in his draft year but I've never heard or seen a thing about his game that ever made me question his work ethic. His full games at the WJC u18's were solid and he was one of a very small number of Swedish players that seemed to give full effort against Canada, even when the game was out of hand.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Huh?

I was pretty critical of Edvinsson in his draft year but I've never heard or seen a thing about his game that ever made me question his work ethic. His full games at the WJC u18's were solid and he was one of a very small number of Swedish players that seemed to give full effort against Canada, even when the game was out of hand.

Yup, he's improved on it, thus his true potential showing again.

 

[Tetsuo]

Huh?

I was pretty critical of Edvinsson in his draft year but I've never heard or seen a thing about his game that ever made me question his work ethic. His full games at the WJC u18's were solid and he was one of a very small number of Swedish players that seemed to give full effort against Canada, even when the game was out of hand.

This is like when HockeyProspect bumped Raymond down their final list because of perceived on-ice attitude issues. Now, barely a year removed from being drafted, he is displaying an incredibly positive attitude and body language even when he's getting plastered by guys he's giving up 30 lbs (or more) on. Quit is not a word in his lexicon.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Edvinsson's performance in u18 was clear of his all-around ability and impact.

Very rarely do players just translate 1:1 from the U18 level to the pro level from one season to the next.
Seeing the talent is one thing, expecting to immediately translate is another.

It's similar to Lucas Raymond's jump this season. The surprise isn't that he's talented, creative, smart etc., it's that the adjustment period has basically been non-existant and he's just skipped immediately to being an impact player.

 

[Tomas W]

Very rarely do players just translate 1:1 from the U18 level to the pro level from one season to the next.
Seeing the talent is one thing, expecting to immediately translate is another.

It's similar to Lucas Raymond's jump this season. The surprise isn't that he's talented, creative, smart etc., it's that the adjustment period has basically been non-existant and he's just skipped immediately to being an impact player.

Yeah, Im just waiting to see a little set-back from him, but its just like its given now that his on the top line for Detroit.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Very rarely do players just translate 1:1 from the U18 level to the pro level from one season to the next.
Seeing the talent is one thing, expecting to immediately translate is another.

It's similar to Lucas Raymond's jump this season. The surprise isn't that he's talented, creative, smart etc., it's that the adjustment period has basically been non-existant and he's just skipped immediately to being an impact player.

The Kronwall effect.

I know some people are skeptical of how much of an impact having him over there is, but compare how well our Swedish prospects are doing in comparison to other team's Swedish prospects, and compare them to how the rest of Detroit's prospect pool is doing. Almost all of the wings Swedish kids have been trending upward with only a few notable exceptions since 2019.

 

[Preposterone]

Returned from injury to SHL play today. In typical fashion, 21:00 toi 0+1 +1 in a 5-2 win

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

The Kronwall effect.

I know some people are skeptical of how much of an impact having him over there is, but compare how well our Swedish prospects are doing in comparison to other team's Swedish prospects, and compare them to how the rest of Detroit's prospect pool is doing. Almost all of the wings Swedish kids have been trending upward with only a few notable exceptions since 2019.

I wonder if this will become a leaguewide thing going forward. When your stars retire, you ask them to stay on and work with your young players in their area. I think it'd be wonderful, developmentally speaking.

It's a shame they couldn't get Zetterberg to do it, but he's too busy making sandwiches.

 

[VictorLustig]

I wonder if this will become a leaguewide thing going forward. When your stars retire, you ask them to stay on and work with your young players in their area. I think it'd be wonderful, developmentally speaking.

It's a shame they couldn't get Zetterberg to do it, but he's too busy making sandwiches.

I’d have problems with random retired NHL players coaching my players if I was an SHL GM. Edvinsson has always been a great prospect and it’s not like Frölunda ever had a bad track record of developing players so this new ”Kronwall effect” seems a bit dubious to me. Sounds more like a good storyline for journalists to jump on and exaggerate.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I’d have problems with random retired NHL players coaching my players if I was an SHL GM. Edvinsson has always been a great prospect so the ”Kronwall effect” seems a bit dubious to me anyway.

Hardly. There's several posts in this thread that link to articles about Kronwall working with Detroit's prospects over there.

 

[VictorLustig]

Hardly. There's several posts in this thread that link to articles about Kronwall working with Detroit's prospects over there.

Well of course there are.

 

[Preposterone]

I wonder if this will become a leaguewide thing going forward. When your stars retire, you ask them to stay on and work with your young players in their area. I think it'd be wonderful, developmentally speaking.

It's a shame they couldn't get Zetterberg to do it, but he's too busy making sandwiches.

I don’t think so. I’ve gotten the chance to attend a few RW and Bruins camp/practice sessions over the years, and kronwall was always the most vocal player on the ice in terms of directing drills and giving pointers, even more so than guys like chara and Zetterberg. Kronner is just a natural coach type

 

[The Zermanator]

I’d have problems with random retired NHL players coaching my players if I was an SHL GM. Edvinsson has always been a great prospect and it’s not like Frölunda ever had a bad track record of developing players so this new ”Kronwall effect” seems a bit dubious to me. Sounds more like a good storyline for journalists to jump on and exaggerate.

I definitely wouldn't. Kronwall has a ton of valuable experience and success at the highest level of competition. Besides, he's really more focused on developing the Wings prospects rather than the team(s) in general. There is an understanding at lower levels of hockey that when it comes to premier prospects like Raymond and Edvinsson they are just a pit stop on their journey to the NHL. So Kronwall is not random in that he is there on behalf of the team responsible for and invested in their development. It's a win-win situation. Detroit has a man on the ground who seems very good at what he's doing, and the SHL teams can benefit from the improvements that stem from Kronwall's input for the short time they have these players before they graduate.

 

[VictorLustig]

I definitely wouldn't. Kronwall has a ton of valuable experience and success at the highest level of competition. Besides, he's really more focused on developing the Wings prospects rather than the team(s) in general. There is an understanding at lower levels of hockey that when it comes to premier prospects like Raymond and Edvinsson they are just a pit stop on their journey to the NHL. So Kronwall is not random in that he is there on behalf of the team responsible for and invested in their development. It's a win-win situation. Detroit has a man on the ground who seems very good at what he's doing, and the SHL teams can benefit from the improvements that stem from Kronwall's input for the short time they have these players before they graduate.

You are missing the entire point. Edvinsson is playing under 2 year contract with Frölunda. He's their propert entirely. Any involvement by the Red Wings at this point is problematic.

We've seen former NHL players with better careers than Kronwall get back to Swedish hockey and fail completely. I have nothing against Kronwall, experience as a player is never a bad thing but he has zero experience when it comes to player development. Developing teenagers is something Frölunda does better than any NHL team anyway.

 

[Pavels Dog]

You are missing the entire point. Edvinsson is playing under 2 year contract with Frölunda. He's their propert entirely. Any involvement by the Red Wings at this point is problematic.

It’s player development, not corporate espionage.
Building a good relationship with NHL teams is hugely beneficial for these clubs. Rögle got Seider and Wallinder, you think that happens if they are upset with getting additional development help from Kronwall?
Bet you every team would love to have Kronwall’s involvement.

 

[VictorLustig]

It’s player development, not corporate espionage.
Building a good relationship with NHL teams is hugely beneficial for these clubs. Rögle got Seider and Wallinder, you think that happens if they are upset with getting additional development help from Kronwall?
Bet you every team would love to have Kronwall’s involvement.

Seider was on loan to Rögle. Huge difference. Contracts exist for a reason. YOU play the way WE (not anyone else) want you to play and WE pay YOU for it. That's the agreement.

"Additional help" can be helpful...or not so helpful. In Edvinssons case, does he really need input from more people?

 

[Pavels Dog]

Seider was on loan to Rögle. Huge difference. Contracts exist for a reason. YOU play the way WE (not anyone else) want you to play and WE pay YOU for it. That's the agreement.

"Additional help" can be helpful...or not so helpful. In Edvinssons case, does he really need input from more people?

No, there's no huge difference. Detroit could have brought Edvinsson over to the AHL, just like they could have chose not to loan Seider to Rögle. Which would have been the right choice if either club wanted LESS development for these prospects.

You have to be able to seperate between game plan/strategy and individual player development. You think Rönnberg is going to be upset if Edvinsson in his free time has worked on improving his shot or his defensive stickwork or the timing in his physical play?

Your stance on this is especially strange given how successful this situation seems to be. Wallinder, Johansson, Seider, Edvinsson, Söderblom.. so many guys developing great.

 

[The Zermanator]

You are missing the entire point. Edvinsson is playing under 2 year contract with Frölunda. He's their propert entirely. Any involvement by the Red Wings at this point is problematic.

We've seen former NHL players with better careers than Kronwall get back to Swedish hockey and fail completely. I have nothing against Kronwall, experience as a player is never a bad thing but he has zero experience when it comes to player development. Developing teenagers is something Frölunda does better than any NHL team anyway.

Obviously you misunderstand how these contracts work. Edvinsson has to play this whole season in the SHL because he started there and has to finish out the season. But he can make the Wings out of camp next season, regardless of his contract with Frolunda. He is very much Wings property.

Kronwall is a Cup winner, he himself was mentored by the 2nd best NHL dman all-time (and best Swedish dman), and also had the experience of having the whole Red Wings defence falling on his shoulders after that mentor retired. He's a recently retired #1 dman, not some relic from a different era, of course he has valuable things to teach. And by all appearances, the Wings are pleased with the results. Seider and Raymond both excelled and then jumped straight from the SHL to the NHL and looked comfortable (understatement) from the start. I'd have a hard time believing Kronwall hasn't had at least some influence on that. And Edvinsson stands to benefit similarly. If the Wings are happy with the situation, the ones who know the most about it, then I don't really see where you have any basis to dispute it. At the very worst it has no effect.

 

[FireBird71]

You are missing the entire point. Edvinsson is playing under 2 year contract with Frölunda. He's their propert entirely. Any involvement by the Red Wings at this point is problematic.

We've seen former NHL players with better careers than Kronwall get back to Swedish hockey and fail completely. I have nothing against Kronwall, experience as a player is never a bad thing but he has zero experience when it comes to player development. Developing teenagers is something Frölunda does better than any NHL team anyway.

He’ll be in Grand Rapids or Detroit next season…he won’t be in Sweden

 

[VictorLustig]

Obviously you misunderstand how these contracts work. Edvinsson has to play this whole season in the SHL because he started there and has to finish out the season. But he can make the Wings out of camp next season, regardless of his contract with Frolunda. He is very much Wings property.

Kronwall is a Cup winner, he himself was mentored by the 2nd best NHL dman all-time (and best Swedish dman), and also had the experience of having the whole Red Wings defence falling on his shoulders after that mentor retired. He's a recently retired #1 dman, not some relic from a different era, of course he has valuable things to teach. And by all appearances, the Wings are pleased with the results. Seider and Raymond both excelled and then jumped straight from the SHL to the NHL and looked comfortable (understatement) from the start. I'd have a hard time believing Kronwall hasn't had at least some influence on that. And Edvinsson stands to benefit similarly. If the Wings are happy with the situation, the ones who know the most about it, then I don't really see where you have any basis to dispute it. At the very worst it has no effect.

Interesting. When did he sign with the Red Wings?

 

[VictorLustig]

No, there's no huge difference. Detroit could have brought Edvinsson over to the AHL, just like they could have chose not to loan Seider to Rögle. Which would have been the right choice if either club wanted LESS development for these prospects.

You have to be able to seperate between game plan/strategy and individual player development. You think Rönnberg is going to be upset if Edvinsson in his free time has worked on improving his shot or his defensive stickwork or the timing in his physical play?

Your stance on this is especially strange given how successful this situation seems to be. Wallinder, Johansson, Seider, Edvinsson, Söderblom.. so many guys developing great.

Not quite. That’s assuming Edvinsson would agree to sign right away if offered a contract (perhaps small, but completely unnecessary risk for him to take signing another binding contract at this point).

 

[saska sault]

Interesting. When did he sign with the Red Wings?

You must be fun at parties.

Keep up the good work Kronwall.