By: Ryan Bosworth | Follow me on Twitter/X @RyanJBosworth
Over the past few seasons, the Bruins have made considerable improvements to their defense core. Adding Nikita Zadorov in the 2024 offseason, giving young players in Jonathan Aspirot and Frederic Brunet an opportunity, and bringing heavy-hitting guys like Connor Clifton and Will Borgen. However, things are still far from perfect on the back-end.
An interesting name still without a contract is left-hand defenseman Simon Edvinsson. A 23-year-old Swedish defender who is coming off his entry-level contract that expired at the end of the 2025-26 season is still in a contract dispute with the Detroit Red Wings, and things are far from looking like a deal is going to get done.
Things in Detroit are messy right, which certainly isn’t helping Edvinsson’s contract get done. It was confirmed that the Kungsbacka, Sweden-native was back in Sweden to stay in shape, rather than skating in Detroit with his teammates. In the recent days, it was confirmed that Edvinsson would rather get traded than sign an extension in Detroit.
On SportsNet on October 3rd, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman’s first headline of his Saturday Headlines was about Edvinsson. He said that “the team and the agent are not talking, but there is word today around the league that unsigned Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson prefers a trade from the Red Wings.” He went on to add that, despite the preference from Edvinsson, “I understand the Red Wings have made it clear to other teams that their priority is still to sign him. That is their number one goal. But, apparently, his frustration with the entire situation has led him to indicate he would prefer a trade.”
Edvinsson certainly has some experience under his belt. The sixth-overall pick in the 2021 entry draft made his National Hockey League debut in the 2022-23 season. Through a total of 175 games played, Edvinsson has recorded 19-41-60 and a plus/minus of +17, though his scoresheet statistics are not the highlight of his game — his size and ceiling are.
Standing tall at six-foot, six-inches and weighing in at 222 pounds, Edvinsson would make an immediate impact on the left-side of the top-four of Boston’s defense. One of his strongest attributes is his ability to use his stick thanks to his massive frame and reach, with the ability to occasionally jump in on offense.
Last week, on October 8th, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that there were at least ten teams in pursuit of Edvinsson, and he specifically noted that Boston was one of them.
“Boston is among a long list of teams that has shown interest in Simon Edvinsson. Believe there’s at least 10 teams that have inquired. But those teams are being told by interim GM Shawn Horcoff that his preference remains trying to re-sign the RFA,” LeBrun said.
It is a bit of a no-brainer for the Bruins, to be fair. He’s a clear upgrade on their left side and a total impact player for their top-four. He’d slot in right where Hampus Lindholm is slotted for tonight’s game in San Jose — on the left-side of the first pair.
With a left side consisting of Edvinsson, H. Lindholm, Zadorov, Brunet, and Lohrei, the Bruins would have decisions to make, but their dept would put their defense corps among the top of the league. Despite how expensive he may be, it’s a move the Bruins should absolutely make.
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