In the high-stakes world of NHL hockey, where every shift can swing a season, few moments capture the raw honesty of the sport like a player owning up to their struggles. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson, the towering 6-foot-4 Swede who’s been pegged as a cornerstone of the franchise’s rebuild, did just that on October 26, 2025. Amid a promising start to the 2025-26 campaign, Edvinsson pulled no punches with the media, labeling his recent performances as “the worst hockey I’ve played.” For fans dreaming of a playoff return after years in the wilderness, his candid admission sparks a tantalizing question: Is this a blip, or the start of deeper concerns for a team that’s finally showing signs of life?
Edvinsson’s words cut deep, delivered with the bluntness of someone who’s tasted early success but knows the league doesn’t hand out grace periods. “The last two games, I’ve probably played my worst hockey that I’ve (played) in four years, or that I can remember, at least,” he said, his voice steady but laced with frustration. “So, that’s all I’ve got to say because I can’t speak of the team’s performance. I was probably one of the worst players on the ice in both of those games.” It’s a rare vulnerability from a 22-year-old who’s already logged heavy minutes in his third full NHL season, often paired with fellow blue-liner Moritz Seider in a pairing that’s meant to anchor Detroit’s defense.
To understand the gravity, rewind to those fateful outings. The Red Wings entered October riding high on a 7-3 record, their best start since the 2015-16 season that ended in a Presidents’ Trophy. But the wheels wobbled in back-to-back tilts against the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs, where Edvinsson’s minus-2 rating over the two games mirrored the defensive lapses that plagued Detroit in years past. He coughed up pucks in the neutral zone, struggled to contain speedy wingers, and watched helplessly as odd-man rushes exposed the back end. Yet, just days later, on October 25 at Little Caesars Arena, the Wings roared back with a 5-2 thumping of the St. Louis Blues. Edvinsson chipped in an assist and notched a goal in the third period, a moment of redemption that had the crowd – and his teammates – buzzing. It was a reminder that for young players like him, drafted sixth overall in 2021, the path to stardom isn’t a straight line.
What makes Edvinsson’s slump so intriguing isn’t just the dip in form, but the context of his meteoric rise. At 10 games into the season, he’s already tallied four points – one goal and three assists – while averaging over 20 minutes per night. That’s no small feat for a prospect still shedding the “project” label. His blend of size, skating, and puck-moving ability drew comparisons to Victor Hedman early on, and he’s lived up to the hype in flashes, like his breakout 2023-24 campaign where he suited up for 82 games. But hockey’s unforgiving nature means one poor stretch can amplify doubts. Teammates have rallied around him, with captain Dylan Larkin praising his work ethic post-Blues win: “Simon’s a competitor; he’ll grind through this.” Still, in a league where defensemen like Cale Makar redefine the position, Edvinsson’s self-critique feels like a pivot point. Could this honesty propel him to All-Star status, or does it hint at the pressures that have derailed other young guns?
Digging deeper, Edvinsson’s journey adds layers to his story that Red Wings faithful can’t ignore. Coming from Sweden’s SHL, where he captained Djurgarden at just 18, he arrived in Detroit with the weight of expectations. His first full pro season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins under coach Brian Lashoff was a proving ground, one that Lashoff still raves about today. Reflecting on Edvinsson’s trajectory, Lashoff told reporters earlier this year, “I think the sky’s the limit for him. Just as a defender, for being that age and playing the minutes he did against tough competition, it’s impressive what he did, and now it’s on him to kind of pull himself to that standard as well and continue to grow and keep pushing the bar as high as he can, year after year, which he certainly has the potential to do.” Lashoff’s endorsement isn’t mere boosterism; it’s rooted in watching Edvinsson evolve from a raw talent into a two-way force capable of quarterbacking power plays.
For the Red Wings, Edvinsson’s resurgence couldn’t come at a better time. General manager Steve Yzerman’s patient rebuild has yielded a roster blending veterans like Alex DeBrincat with emerging stars, but the blue line remains the wildcard. Seider, the 2021 Calder winner, has been a rock, but depth issues persist – injuries to Ben Chiarot and injuries sidelined others early on. Edvinsson’s pairing with Seider was designed to be the engine, facilitating breakouts and shutting down top lines. When it clicks, as it did against St. Louis, Detroit looks like a contender in the Atlantic Division. When it falters, ghosts of 20-goal-against seasons resurface. Edvinsson’s slump, brief as it may be, underscores the growing pains inherent to a team on the cusp. At 7-3-0, they’re third in the East, but the schedule toughens with matchups against Tampa Bay and Florida looming. His ability to rebound could define not just his season, but the Wings’ trajectory toward that elusive postseason berth.
What elevates Edvinsson’s narrative beyond stats is his unflinching accountability, a trait that’s become a hallmark of Detroit’s culture under Yzerman. In an era of polished PR spins, his raw assessment feels authentic, almost magnetic. It invites fans to lean in, wondering if this is the forge that tempers a future Norris contender. After all, the greats – think Erik Karlsson or Quinn Hughes – have weathered far worse. Edvinsson’s post-slump goal against the Blues, a wrister from the point that beat Jordan Binnington clean, served as poetic punctuation. As he skates off the ice, helmet in hand, the arena’s roar hints at the belief simmering in Motown.
Looking ahead, the Red Wings face the New Jersey Devils on October 28, a chance for Edvinsson to build momentum. If he channels that media-room candor into on-ice dominance, Detroit’s faithful might just witness the birth of a legend. For now, his words linger as a testament to the sport’s brutal beauty: vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s fuel. In a league full of narratives, Edvinsson’s feels like one worth rooting for – one that could carry the Red Wings back to relevance.
