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July 24 – Detroit – The Red Wings returned to Sweden with their first pick on Friday, selecting defenseman Simon Edvinsson.
Edvinsson, 6-5, 207 pounds, has appeared in 24 games with Frolunda and Vasteras in Sweden, and has been compared to Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman because of his size and mobility.
The Red Wings then traded their picks at numbers 23, 48 and 138 overall for Dallas and selected goalie Sebastian Cossa with the 15th pick overall.
Cossa was generally considered the second-best goalkeeper in the draft behind Sweden’s Jesper Wallstedt.
Cossa (6-foot-6, 212 pounds) was 17-1-1 with a 1.57 goals-against average and .941 save percentage with Edmonton in the WHL last season.
Edvinsson probably needs a year or two in Sweden before he comes to North America. Scouts believe Edvinsson is more advanced defensively than offensively, but like many of his intangibles, he plays with some advantage and uses his size.
Edvinsson was delighted to join the Wings.
“I’m a big fan of them, I’ve heard all the stories,” Edvinsson said on a Zoom media call afterwards in the wee hours of Sweden. “I’m just partying with my family, my agent and my friends too.
“I slept a bit this afternoon, but now I’m just on adrenaline and it has helped me stay awake.”
Edvinsson faced defenseman Moritz Seider, a former Wings draft pick who will likely play in the NHL next season with the Wings.
The two could form a gigantic defensive tandem, as Seider is of similar size.
“I played against Seider and he’s a very good defender,” said Edvinsson. “He’s really difficult to face.
Edvinsson played with Red Wings first-choice Lucas Raymond last year with Frolunda this season, but neither player has raised the possibility of being Wings team-mates.
But now they are.
“No, but now we could talk about it,” Edvinsson said. “I’m so excited and happy to be here (with Wings) and be part of the Detroit family. So excited and grateful.”
Edvinsson followed the Wings in his youth, watching the many Swedes who played for the Wings organization.
“I followed them,” Edvinsson said. “It’s so good I can’t even speak now I’m so happy.”
Edvinsson has been ranked in the top five in numerous draft screenings this season.
“Simon has enormous potential,” Frolunda chief executive Fredrik Sjostrom told Detroit News last month. “When you’re that size, that stature and you skate as well as him, you’re going to start early in the draft. In today’s game, you need speed and skill. He will certainly be one of the best defensemen in the NHL. . “
Raymond and Edvinsson train together in Gothenburg, their mothers are both fitness trainers, and Edvinsson explained how exciting it would be to be drafted by the Wings.
As for his teammate Edvinsson, Raymond said he is a “skillful defenseman, a good skater who is mobile with good vision”.
Sjostrom doesn’t like comparing Edvinsson to Hedman and former Red Wing Nicklas Lidstrom, but says there are elements of Edvinsson’s game that compare favorably to Lidstrom.
“I was fortunate enough to play against Lidstrom,” said Sjostrom. “He was one of the best defensive defenders not because he was physical but because he was smart. He positioned himself well, had a good stick and kept a tight gap with the forwards.
“Simon doesn’t get enough credit for his defensive play. He’s a very good defender and moves very well for his size. He just needs time to grow in his body, to develop his strength in the right way. He has a lot of potential to be a good two-way defender. “
Cossa felt there was a chance the Red Wings would draft him once he heard about the Dallas trade.
Both Wings and Cossa had positive talks leading up to Friday, and Cossa felt there was a good fit.
“We had some good calls,” Cossa said on a Zoom call with the media afterwards. “When they made the exchange, I thought it might be for one of the keepers.
“I’m obviously excited and a little impatient to (start). They saw my game. There are high expectations in Detroit and I want to live up to that.”
As a tall goalkeeper, Cossa tries to use his gigantic size to his advantage in goal.
“When I’m at the top of the crease there’s not much to shoot at,” Cossa said. “I have to admit it and shape my game around it. I try to use this to my advantage. position, I just have to use it all. “
Swedish goalie Jesper Wallstedt was to be picked before Cossa, but Wallstedt was not selected until Minnesota traded to pick Wallstedt at No.20.
Cossa felt a certain pride in being the first goalkeeper selected.
“I’ve had a solid season and my game kind of deserved it,” Cossa said. “The confidence I have in my game, I’m going to be the best goalie in this draft. I think I was chosen where I should be.
Cossa moved on to goaltending at the age of eight, playing novice hockey.
“There were three goalies at the start of the year and at Christmas I was the last one in the line,” Cossa said. “We’ve been touring all year. I stuck with that.
“I like the pressure and the stress that comes with it, and I’m not stressed out, but I just like the pressure of being the last guy out there and being the villain or the hero.”
The Wings will continue to be busy on Saturday for the second day of the draft.
They choose 38th (second round), 70th (third round), 102 and 128 in the fourth round, 134th in the fifth round and 166th in the sixth round.
Detroit News editor-in-chief Mark Falkner contributed.
Twitter: @tkulfan
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