It’s official, the Detroit Red Wings have signed Eddie Genborg to an ELC, and the young forward is headed to Grand Rapids.
The Red Wings took Genborg in the second round of last year’s draft after he had put up an impressive age-17 season that included a couple of stints in the Swedish Hockey League’s top division.
This year, Genborg has been a full time player in the SHL at just 18 years old. The young Swede had nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 43 games this year playing on Timra HK. Although Genborg will join the Griffins now, he is on an amateur tryout currently. His ELC begins with the 2026-27 season.
The 6’2″ 180-pound winger has gained attention for his hard-hitting style, including picking up some high praise from a former nemesis of some Red Wings’ Stanley Cup squads.
Someone who can fully attest to that hard-hitting style is fellow Red Wings prospect Anton Johansson, who ran into the young forward when his Leksands squad faced off with Genborg and Timra HK. Leksands has been at the bottom of the Swedish top league for much of the season, and now faces a relegation playoff series to a lower level.
Johansson figures to be joining the Griffins when his SHL season concludes. He played with Grand Rapids at the end of last season.
Swooping in
The reinforcements from across the pond couldn’t come at a better time for the Griffins. The AHL trade deadline was on March 13, and the Red Wings organization found themselves making a flurry of moves at the deadline to help a depleted squad hoping to maintain some of their momentum going into the playoffs this year.
From the top end the Red Wings have had to recall Sheldon Dries, John Leonard, Austin Watson, and Griffins captain Dominik Shine this week, as well as Eduards Tralmaks. Though Tralmaks and Watson did not dress for a game.
Genborg will allow the Griffins to dress 12 forwards for the first time in several weeks. While the young winger will need some time to adjust to North American ice and the speed of the AHL, his hard-nosed style should help solidify their scoring group. Grand Rapids will also be happy to see Johansson, as the team had to part ways with star defenseman Ian Mitchell earlier this week to acquire a pair of forwards.
Johansson will have to stay with his team through the end of the relegation series matchups, but will be able to come to America as soon as he has completed those games. Last year, Johansson joined the Griffins for their final 11 regular-season games and for the Calder Cup playoffs, when they were swept in the first round. He will join the squad full-time next year.