After defensive struggles in Sweden, is now the moment for Detroit to give Simon Edvinsson an NHL shot?

On the Detroit Red Wings' trip to Sweden for the NHL Global Series, play in the defensive zone was a major factor in limiting Detroit to one point out of a possible four.

Coach Derek Lalonde spoke of a need for the team to improve its collective maturity across games.  A number of the Red Wings' veteran defenders were among those guilty of lapses in the D zone and poor puck management.  In that context, many Red Wing fans are now clamoring for the team's top defensive prospect—Simon Edvinsson—to get his chance at the NHL level.

In the latest episode of THN Detroit's podcast The Silky Mitten State, Connor Earegood and I took on this exact question, balancing our desire to see what Edvinsson might bring at the NHL level and our belief that the next step in his development requires that opportunity with the reality of the Red Wings' roster and ambitions.

You can get a sampling of that conversation in the video above, but for the full discussion (and a broader conversation about the top end of Detroit's prospect pool) check out the full episode via the links below.

For what it's worth, at least for now, it sounds as though Edvinsson won't see NHL action as long as the Red Wings' current seven defensemen remain healthy.  Yesterday after practice, Derek Lalonde said as much, adding that Edvinsson needs to "continue to grow his game" in Grand Rapids for now but that he's gotten "positive reports down there—starting to get a more complete game, less of those egregious mistakes finding his game, which is a positive, so just think he's growing correctly."

You can find the full episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

Also from THN Detroit

"It's Time Together, It's Adversity Together:" Red Wings Believe Positives Can Be Gleaned from Sweden Trip Despite Frustrating Results

Red Wings Goaltender Ville Husso Welcomes Daughter Emmi to the World Amidst Chaotic Trip to Sweden

Injury Update: Red Wings' Jake Walman "Questionable" to Practice Tuesday, Could Play Wednesday vs. Devils

Red Wings Assign Czarnik Assigned to Grand Rapids; No Corresponding Call-Up...Yet

Is it Time to Worry About Marco Kasper's Slow Start in Grand Rapids?

Augustine Backstops Spartans to Sweep Over Top-Ranked Wisconsin

Bertuzzi Burns Wings, Third Period Collapse, Compher Line Struggles, Lyon Holds Firm: Red Wings-Maple Leafs Statistical Review

"In the Third, We Come Out and Play a Bit Scared on Our Heels": Red Wings React to a Disappointing Global Series Loss to the Maple Leafs

Red Wings 2, Maple Leafs 3: Swede Nylander Leads Leaf Comeback, Sending Detroit Home Sour