The Detroit Red Wings once had a Swedish defenseman nicknamed The Perfect Human, a title earned by seven-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom. In contrast, current Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson isn’t comparing himself to Lidstrom, but he is aiming for personal excellence.
“I just want to be perfect,” Edvinsson stated. “I want to perform at my best every game.” While this goal is admirable, it’s also nearly impossible, as all defensemen, apart from Lidstrom, make errors on the ice.
For Edvinsson, the challenge lies in ensuring that his pursuit of perfection does not become an obsession. Sometimes, even with good intentions, things can go wrong. In Detroit’s opening match against Pittsburgh, Edvinsson attempted to defend teammate Alex DeBrincat after a rough hit but ended up taking a cross-checking penalty that led to a power-play goal for the Penguins. “I saw DeBrincat take an ugly hit,” he reflected. “It wasn’t the right moment to take that penalty, but I was just frustrated. I want to stand up for my teammates; I didn’t handle it the right way, but it’s a lesson learned.”
The Red Wings want Edvinsson to play within his limits. When he’s at his best, he is a formidable player. “The experience he gained at the end of last season has carried over,” said Jeff Petry, Edvinsson’s defensive partner. “He’s built confidence from playing well and knowing he belongs here. His skill set—his skating, size, and ability to make a good first pass—has been evident since last season.”
Edvinsson performs well when he stays focused, but he runs into trouble when he tries to do too much. He has given up easy scoring opportunities and taken unnecessary penalties. “I overextended myself in the opening game,” he admitted. “I was overly excited, and trying to do too much can backfire.”
In the following two games, Edvinsson managed to rein in his performance and has been doing well. While he may not be flawless, the Red Wings are pleased with what they’ve seen from their talented Swede. “He’s focused on improving every day, which is the right mentality,” said fellow defenseman Moritz Seider. “I believe he can be a key player for us.”
