via Steve Ellis of The Hockey News,

It wasnt if Simon Edvinsson would get a call-up by the Detroit Red Wings it was when. Considered to be one of the best defensive prospects in the game, Edvinsson, 20, was called up to make his NHL debut against Colorado on Saturday, playing 15:34 and landing a big hit on superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon. While it was a relatively uneventful debut, and the Wings fell 5-1 to the playoff-bound Avalanche, Edvinsson still showed what hes made of against one of the best teams in the league. Edvinsson is a big, physical blueliner, and his punishing style has been on full display with the AHLs Grand Rapids Griffins this year. The extra time in the AHL has been worth it, and its only a matter of time until hes fighting for top-four time with the big club.

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

After a troubled stay with the Wings, highlighted this season by being away two months to be in an NHL/NHLPA players assistance program, the Wings felt a trade was best for both the organization and Vrana.

"I don't know if he was happy, but for sure there was some relief," said forward Dominik Kubalik, a friend of Vrana. "He kind of felt like it was a fresh start and something new for him."

Kubalik isn't surprised Vrana has regained his goal-scoring touch.

"We know what kind of player he is," Kubalik said. "He can score, skate, and there's nothing why he wouldn't be able to do that."

Lalonde is happy to see Vrana thriving.

"The fresh start is good for him," Lalonde said. "It looks like bigger picture, the success he's having is probably more a reflection of where his life is away from the rink, which is great. I'm not surprised (at the success), I'm happy for him and I'm hoping he can sustain it, not through just this year but hopefully into next year, too."

With defenseman Gustav Lindstrom still unable to play, rookie Simon Edvinsson was back in the lineup Monday against Florida. Lindstrom is day-to-day, and Edvinsson, who is with the Wings on an emergency call-up, will be returning to Grand Rapids when Lindstrom is ready to play.

There's also the issue of the Wings not wanting to burn a year of Edvinsson's three-year entry-level contract if he plays beyond nine games.

"We're excited, he did some real good things the other day (Edvinsson's debut Saturday) and there will be growth every minute he gets in this league," Lalonde said.

more ($), most of it is focused on the Blues game tomorrow...

Although I have no idea what the real problem was with Vrana, and only hope for the best for him in the long run, it really grinds me to see him score a bucket of goals in one week with a new club, while we have seen Zadina muff opportunity after opportunity--for years now. This club needs proven goal scoring on a regular basis. The likes of Zadina, Erne, Veleno over a full year's production just won't cut it next year. Especially if they want to leap frog Buffalo and Ottawa.