Even with Detroit on a roll, does it still make sense to add Simon Edvinsson to the fold on the back end?
During the Detroit Red Wings December doldrums, it felt almost ridiculous that the team turned to top prospect Simon Edvinsson for just two games, in which he played 13:18 and 15:59 respectively.
The Red Wings were enduring tremendous defensive struggles, and the team's veteran defense corps seemed in glaring need of further support, which Edvinsson might have provided had he been given a longer runway to do so.
Nonetheless, Detroit found a way through those defensive woes and into a stingy and successful month of January, without needing to turn to Edvinsson. Instead, an increase in practice time and sterling form from Alex Lyon helped drive a 9-2-2 month.
Meanwhile, Edvinsson has six goals and 16 assists in 36 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he looks altogether dominant. He even won a fight last week without even appearing all that interested in fighting to begin with.
So, with the Red Wings streaking, does Edvinsson still deserve a spot in the NHL lineup?
My cohost Connor Earegood and I tackled that question on the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State. There's a lot to consider there, including the very real possibility that affording Edvinsson a spot in the NHL lineup with a decent workload may lead to short-term struggles as he attempts to assimilate into life as a full-time NHLer.
Nonetheless, Connor and I ultimately agreed that, while playoff aspirations are of course real and important at this stage of the season, it's in the organization's best long-term interest to ensure that Edvinsson gets meaningful NHL minutes before the year's conclusion.
For a sampling of that conversation, take a look at that featured video above. Check out the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify: