Comparing Simon Edvinsson’s post-draft progression with other young Swedish defenders

It already looks like Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman may have found another gem in Simon Edvinsson. Detroit selected Edvinsson sixth overall at the 2021 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old defenseman has everything you could look for in a prospect at his position: size, skating ability, scoring, and more. Edvinsson stands 6’4″ and weighs 203 pounds, but his hulking frame doesn’t stop him from being an agile skater who aggressively pursues the puck. With Detroit’s lack of left-handed defensive depth, it’s easy to see Edvinsson potentially pushing for a spot in the National Hockey League as soon as next season. In ranking him Detroit’s fourth-best prospect prior to the 2021–22 campaign, EliteProspects.com’s David St-Louis described Edvinsson as a player with “top-four upside” with above-average technical ability, poise, and occasional manipulative skills: On the one hand, Edvinsson is prone to mistakes, offensively and defensively, and in all three zones of the ice. He misses assignments and turns the