The Detroit Red Wings were hoping one player's jump to North America would be the first step toward one of the organization's top prospects making a quicker-than-expected run to the pros. It doesn't appear that will be the case moving forward, at least not yet, for 2025 second-round pick Eddie Genborg.

The talented offensive winger is still just 19 years old, but at the end of last season, the Swedish import made the leap to the North American game, joining the Grand Rapids Griffins for 11 regular-season games and one playoff contest. The stint went fairly well, with Genborg recording a goal and three assists in his 11 regular-season appearances for Grand Rapids.

Despite that taste of success, Genborg is confirmed to be heading back overseas for the 2026-27 season, returning to Swedish Hockey League club Timrå IK to fulfill the remaining year on his contract before rejoining the Red Wings organization. His agent, Joakim Persson, confirmed the plan earlier this year.

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There's plenty of reason for Detroit to feel comfortable with the plan as Genborg has been a standout in Timrå in what is regarded as a defensively-oriented league, finishing this past season with nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 43 games, the third-most points among under-20 skaters in Sweden's top professional circuit.

Genborg made his biggest impact yet on the international stage, recording three goals and five assists for eight points in seven games at the World Junior Championship, helping Sweden capture its third gold medal in tournament history and first since 2012.

The combination of that World Junior showing and his productive cameo with Grand Rapids to close out the season had fans hoping Genborg might make the full-time jump to North America sooner rather than later. 

Instead, they'll have to wait at least one more season, as Genborg heads back to Timrå to continue his development before officially joining the Red Wings organization on a full-time basis for the 2027-28 campaign.

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