Red Wings Need Simon Edvinsson to Become a True No. 1 Defenseman

Edvinsson has established himself as a key piece of Detroit's blue line, but his potential says there could be another level to his game.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Simon Edvinsson is no longer being viewed simply as a promising young defenseman. The 23-year-old is now on the Red Wings' radar as a player who drives the team forward. What does the next step actually look like for Edvinsson?

Since being drafted sixth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-6, 222 pound blueliner from Sweden has slowly improved his game each year he's been in the league. The early uncertainty and mistakes of a young defenseman has given way to a more confident player. The developmental phase isn't over, but he's past the point where simply belonging in the NHL is the goal.

Last season, Edvinsson played in 72 games while scoring nine goals and totaling 25 points. He tied his career high plus/minus from the year before by finishing plus 12. According to hockeyreference, Edvinsson averaged a little over 22 minutes a game in ice time while delivering 94 hits and blocking 148 shots, both improved totals from 2024-25. He had 89 giveaways, which were two less than the previous season.

Becoming a Legitimate Top-Pair Defenseman

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Edvinsson has all the tools to be a dominant defenseman but the questions are bountiful in order for him to take his game to the next level. Can he consistently handle the opponents' top forwards? Can the Red Wings trust him for 22-24 minutes on difficult nights? Can he continue to cut down on the turnovers and keep improving on the positioning mistakes that can plague an aggressive young defenseman?

While the Red Wings drafted Edvinsson for his defensive ability, there is potential offense in his repitoire that remains untapped. They don't need him to be a 60-point defenseman, but he can certainly contribute more on the power play than the one assist he had in 2025-26. With better puck movement, joining the rush and creating more offense five-on-five, Edvinsson could make a huge difference.

The Red Wings are trying to break their ten-year playoff drought and in order to do that, they need players like Edvinsson to make tremendous strides. If he can reach the potential the Wings have mapped out for him, he could be a part of a two-headed monster along with fellow defenseman Moritz Seider. Edvinsson is one of the players whose internal improvement could be just as important as an outside acquisition.

Edvinsson doesn't need to prove he's an NHL defenseman any longer. The 2026-27 season is about discovering how much of an impact defenseman he can become. The Red Wings drafted Edvinsson because they believed he could eventually become a cornerstone. Five years later, this could be the season when he begins fulfilling that promise.