Edvinsson tells the media he's in tonight.

LBI for Husso.

I feel like I am talking to myself with these comments!

from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

The Red Wings liked what they saw from the 6-6 defenseman in his first two games. Edvinsson made his presence felt by holding his ground when Colorado’s Nathan McKinnon ran into him at the blue line and delivered a hit that prompted Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk to seek retribution.

“I just felt right away, I need to be more physical,” Edvinsson said. “When I played in the preseason, I felt I wasn’t physical, I didn’t use my size. Now I feel like I’m doing that more. Things like that happen.”

Asked what Tkachuk said to him, Edvinsson said, “I don’t think I can say that. It’s some funny words.”

He’s doing his job if he can get under opponents’ skin.

“Of course, it’s hockey, it’s supposed to be like that. It’s fun,” Edvinsson said. “He’s a good player and of course you want to get in his head. I feel like I play better as well off it.”

Lalonde said there’s more to being physical than hits.

“I think it’s part of what he can be,” Lalonde said. “And physical in a different way. I just like how he was physical in getting stops in the D-zone. He was physical in separation in the D-zone, where he won a battle, and we were able to get out of the zone. (Assistant coach Bob Boughner) did a good job of protecting him for the most part at home with matchups. But he moved the puck efficiently, got in the rush a couple of times. Just two games, but very positive.”

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from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

"The travel is a little better," Edvinsson said with a large smile, talking about the biggest difference from the NHL and American League, along with the, yes, food.

How long Edvinsson, the Wings' top prospect, continues to enjoy the NHL life remains to be seen.

After Thursday's morning skate, coach Derek Lalonde said Edvinsson and defenseman Gustav Lindstrom are both dealing with minor injuries, and the Wings will see after the pregame skate who is more capable of playing.

On Tuesday in St. Louis, it was Lindstrom who was deemed a bit more ready.

"Neither are probably 100%," Lalonde said. "We'll see who can play between them."

With only 11 games left after Thursday's game, the Wings still are deciding what the best course of action is with Edvinsson.

If Edvinsson plays more than nine games (he had two going into Thursday) it would burn the first year of his entry-level contract, so it's unlikely that'll happen.

Basically, the decision is whether it's best for Edvinsson to learn the rigors of the NHL and learning how the Wings go about business, or get ample playing time in Grand Rapids, where the Griffins aren't likely to make the playoffs, either.

"Being able to work our staff here, being with (associate coach) Bob (Boughner) and develop with our coaches and learn what we're doing," Lalonde said of how being able to stay in the NHL these final days can help Edvinsson. "We do run different systems than GR, so just maybe more with being in our process and coaches. Both (leagues) are valuable. Playing a ton down there, versus what he plays here and the process, it's something we'll evaluate down the stretch."

Edvinsson, for his sake, was simply glad to still be wearing a Wings jersey.

"Of course," Edvinsson said. "It's a great league and this is where you want to be. The better you play, the more you play, and that's how it works."

The physicality of the NHL, and the need to make quick decisions on the ice, are two things that have stood out for Edvinsson through two games.

"What I'm supposed to do is get the puck to the forwards and get them the time to do what they do best," said Edvinsson, noting it's important to make quick, sound decisions. "The AHL is a hard league too, tough guys there as well. You have to play tough in both leagues, I would say."

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Anyone think the Wings will give Vrana a tribute on the jumbotron tonight?  :o

&ct=gI plan to watch the MSU game and then depending on the mood in the house (wife is a Spartan) we may turn this game on.  But more than likely we'll watch basketball all night and all weekend.  Are we basketball fans?  Not really.  But march madness is about 943x more exciting than this Wings team.

Are the Griffins out of AHL playoff contention?