'Poised' Simon Edvinsson impressing Red Wings in variety of ways

DETROIT — You really have to go to Patrick Kane, whose nickname "Showtime" pretty much says it all in terms of his ability to amplify the emotion on the ice after a goal, both home or away.

So to hear Kane give credit to young defenseman Simon Edvinsson on his celebration after his first goal of the season Saturday in Toronto, you know Edvinsson passed the "celly" test.

"I was there with him and he wasn't looking at me. He was looking somewhere in the sky or the crowd," Kane said with a smile, alluding to Edvinsson's long arms outstretched, stirring the pot and the disappointment of Leafs fans.

Kane loved to see the emotion from the impressive 6-foot-6 Edvinsson, who has made a huge impact since being recalled March 19.

"It's cool. You score a goal in this league and it's fun to see the emotion, fire and passion, and guys stepping up big time," Kane said. "He's a big, strong guy who can kill plays or make plays, and he's gotten better as the time has gone along."

Edvinsson has a goal and assist in 14 games ths season, after a dominant performance in minor league affiliate Grand Rapids.

The former 2021 first-round draft pick (sixth overall) has shown there is no need for any further seasoning in the AHL.

Recalled after Jake Walman suffered a lower-body injury, Edvinsson has displayed all the strengths he displayed in the minor leagues and has impressed coach Derek Lalonde and the Wings' veterans in various ways.

"How poised he is," defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said of what's been impressive about Edvinsson. "I saw a bit of him in preseason but as a kid coming up and playing heavy minutes like he is, and the way he's playing, he's leading our back end pretty good. (But) the poise, he's so good for a big man and, for him, he's only going to get better."

Edvinsson has stepped into a top-four role on defense, playing alongside Jeff Petry, and looked as if he's been in the Wings' lineup all season. The Wings haven't tried to shield or hide Edvinsson from any situation, and the 21-year-old has thrived.

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