The Red Wings went back to mining for Swedish defensive gold in the 2021 NHL Draft, selecting towering blue liner Simon Edvinsson from Frölunda in the SHL with the 6th overall pick.

Of course, the Red Wings just so happen to have a rich history with Swedish players, particularly on the back end with the likes of Nicklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall. He's also drawn comparisons to another Swedish defenseman by the name of Victor Hedman - you know, the Norris Trophy winner whom current Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman Yzerman locked up to a massive extension during his time in Tampa Bay.

You can excuse Red Wings fans for feeling excited about the potential of seeing him patrol Detroit's blue line next season, especially now that he's been named the winner of The Elite Prospects Award, given annually to the best junior player in the Swedish Hockey League. Last year's winner? None other than current Red Wings defenseman and Calder Trophy nominee Moritz Seider.

And Edvinsson, who is currently participating in Detroit's annual development camp at Little Caesars Arena, has every intention of making a name for himself in the NHL right off the bat like Seider did last year. 

“To take a roster place, to be in the lineup of the first game, that’s the main goal,” Edvinsson said of what his goal is heading into this year.

“You need to have those expectations that you’re going to take a place on the roster, and to want to do that,” he said. “The SHL is a hard league, there’s a lot of good players and hard games, so it’s a good run-up for the NHL. Watching Lucas and Moritz do that, it gives you more confidence to really do this right here now.”

The Red Wings take on the Montreal Canadiens in their first game of the season this year on October 14 - don't be surprised to see the towering blue liner on the ice.