from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
The Detroit Red Wings have had great success mining Sweden for their draft picks, and could for a second straight year use their first selection on a player out of that Nordic hockey powerhouse.
When asked during a video conference Tuesday afternoon which NHL players he admired, top 2021 draft prospect Simon Edvinsson, a defenseman, didn’t hesitate.
“One I really looked up to is of course Nicklas Lidstrom,” Edvinsson said.
The Wings drafted Lidstrom in the third round in 1989, and he went on to help them win four Stanley Cups.
“He’s a legend here in Sweden,” Edvinsson said. “Every defender knows who he is. He’s a terrific guy, he makes great effort for team. When he played, he was a leader, and that’s the goal.”
The Wings hold the sixth and 22nd pick in the first round of the draft, which is scheduled to be held virtually July 23. Michigan star defenseman Owen Powers is projected to be the first overall selection, but beyond that, it’s tougher to predict who goes where. If Edvinsson is available, he’d be a nice addition at 6 feet 5 and 207 pounds. He and fellow big man Moritz Seider could be an imposing pairing down the road.
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